Amador County – The Plymouth City Council directed staff to study erecting a building across the street from city hall to house the Ahrens Fox Fire Truck. Mayor Jon Colburn placed the item on the agenda on behalf of the Ahrens Fox Restoration Society. Colburn said a society committee looked at locations for a museum-type building to house the 1939 aerial ladder truck, the Ahrens Fox, a former truck from the San Francisco Fire Department. He said they found the Lodge Hill and found no benefit at that being the location. The committee spoke with a commercial building supplier about the city’s vacant lot across Main Street from City Hall, where the former Plymouth Fire Station once stood. Colburn said a steel building could be built for $80,000, but it was smaller that they had hoped to have. Part of the plan would include a 15 by 40 foot space on the east side of the building to rent out as a commercial spot for weekend operations, to be able to pay utilities, insurance and rent. Colburn said the Ahrens Fox Restoration Society’s funding included a $50,000 private pledge, $15,000 in the bank and other pledges. Councilwoman Patricia Fordyce did not like the idea of giving a building to a non-profit organization. But City Attorney Mike Dean said any number of scenarios could result in an agreement between the council and the society, including the city owning the building on the city property. Councilman Greg Baldwin said he presumed they would rent to the society. City Manager Dixon Flynn said the project likely would cost more than the $80,000 cost of the building. On City Council direction, Flynn said he would meet with the non-profit, discuss finances and come up with some preliminary plans and an estimate for design work, with some sketches on the project. He said he expected to bring the item back to the council by the summer. Story by Jim Reece.
Monday, 12 January 2009 01:04
Plymouth City Council: Ahren Fox
Amador County – The Plymouth City Council directed staff to study erecting a building across the street from city hall to house the Ahrens Fox Fire Truck. Mayor Jon Colburn placed the item on the agenda on behalf of the Ahrens Fox Restoration Society. Colburn said a society committee looked at locations for a museum-type building to house the 1939 aerial ladder truck, the Ahrens Fox, a former truck from the San Francisco Fire Department. He said they found the Lodge Hill and found no benefit at that being the location. The committee spoke with a commercial building supplier about the city’s vacant lot across Main Street from City Hall, where the former Plymouth Fire Station once stood. Colburn said a steel building could be built for $80,000, but it was smaller that they had hoped to have. Part of the plan would include a 15 by 40 foot space on the east side of the building to rent out as a commercial spot for weekend operations, to be able to pay utilities, insurance and rent. Colburn said the Ahrens Fox Restoration Society’s funding included a $50,000 private pledge, $15,000 in the bank and other pledges. Councilwoman Patricia Fordyce did not like the idea of giving a building to a non-profit organization. But City Attorney Mike Dean said any number of scenarios could result in an agreement between the council and the society, including the city owning the building on the city property. Councilman Greg Baldwin said he presumed they would rent to the society. City Manager Dixon Flynn said the project likely would cost more than the $80,000 cost of the building. On City Council direction, Flynn said he would meet with the non-profit, discuss finances and come up with some preliminary plans and an estimate for design work, with some sketches on the project. He said he expected to bring the item back to the council by the summer. Story by Jim Reece.
