The Caledonia City Council at its June 26 meeting, unanimously approved moving forward with the purchase of a power load cot for the city’s old ambulance, Unit 257, at a cost of $50,578.24 from Stryker Medical plus approximately $1,200 for Everest Emergency Vehicles, Inc. to install it. Everest estimates that they will have it installed by September 29, 2023.
Caledonia Ambulance director Mike Tornstrom reminded the council that the purchase of the power load cot was approved at the August 22, 2022, city council meeting along with the purchase of a new ambulance. The original plan was to install the power load cot in the new ambulance. Tornstrom explained that the new ambulance was scheduled to be delivered in 2024 but he was recently notified that it will not be ready for delivery until January 2025. He is asking the council to purchase the power load system and cot now so it can be installed in Unit 257. When the new ambulance is delivered, the cot will be removed from the old ambulance and installed in the new ambulance.
Tornstrom explained, “There’s a handful of my crew that won’t use that truck because of the lifting. They have to lift every patient out of the back. He added, “The newer systems actually lift the patient for you and put it all the way down on the ground.”
Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 6 p.m. Schroeder led his fellow council members and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The council unanimously approved the agenda as presented and the minutes from the June 12 regular city council meeting.
All five council members attended the June 26 council meeting: Robert (Bob) Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Stenzel.
In one unanimous vote the council approved the consent agenda as amended including payments and disbursements, and a pay request from Galileo Consulting Group, LLC in the amount of $48,514.60 not $51,068 as listed on the agenda for work performed on the municipal auditorium boiler project.
In other business, the council:
•Reviewed the overtime report for May 29 through June 11. No action is required.
•Adjourned the meeting at 6:18 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is Monday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.