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Home My WebLink AboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/21/2006 - SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE NO 023, 2006, DESIGNAT ITEM NUMBER: 19 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: February 21, 2006 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Karen McWilliams SUBJECT Second Reading of Ordinance No. 023, 2006, Designating the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumper, Owned by the Poudre Fire Authority, as a Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend adoption of the Ordinance on Second Reading. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Ordinance,which was unanimously adopted on First Reading on February 7,2006,designates the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumper, as a Fort Collins Landmark. The fire engine is eligible for individual Fort Collins Landmark Designation under both Landmark Standards(1)and (3). The owner of the property, Poudre Fire Authority, is initiating this request. ITEM NUMBER: 22 AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY DATE: February 7, 2006 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: Karen McWilliams SUBJECT First Reading of Ordinance No. 023, 2006, Designating the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumper, Owned by the Poudre Fire Authority, as a Fort Collins Landmark Pursuant to Chapter 14 of the City Code. RECOMMENDATION The Landmark Preservation Commission and staff recommend adoption of the Ordinance on First Reading. At a public hearing held on January 25, 2006, the Landmark Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend designation of this object as a landmark for the fire truck's significance to Fort Collins, under Landmark Standards (1) and (3). EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 10�1 tA TIN 7- The owner of the property, Poud A initiatir#4his request for Fort Collins Landmark designation for the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumper. The fire engine is eligible for individual Fort Collins Landmark Designation under both Landmark Standards (1) and (3). For fifty years, for three districts, this fire engine has played an important role in fire protection and holds a unique place in the history of fire service in the area. The engine is being restored to become a part of the Poudre Fire Authority's safety program. BACKGROUND In 1938, the Fort Collins Rural Fire Protection Association was established, delineating the boundaries in which the Fort Collins Fire Department would provide fire protection services to the surrounding rural areas. Until the establishment of the Association, rural fires were fought as best as could be, by residents anetherur rs, h oyFoollins rs from the nearest town. The Fire Protection Associatio to ri ures of consistency and professionalism to fire fighting i areas. I awith the Fort Collins Fire Department, the Association arr C of for its fire protection services to the outlying area. While the arrangement was initially beneficial, over time the Fort Collins Fire Department failed to receive sufficient funding for necessary equipment and men, and by the late 1940s, the arrangement was severely taxing the resources of the city department. A committee was formed to investigate forming a Fire District, which could raise a steady stream of revenue from a mill levy. On April 14, 1950, Judge Coffin signed the order forming the newly organized district, February 7, 2006 -2- Item No. 22 called the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District. Two weeks later, city officials and the district's directors agreed on a contract whereby the city would continue to provide fire protection for the fringe rural area surrounding Fort Collins. In exchange, the Fire Protection District would pay each Fort Colli a Ntudre Valley Fire Protection District included roughly the s area t t w e e y ural Protection Association which it supplanted. This cons ted of or thirtee school districts, the town of Timnath, and the Colorado A&M In October 1952, the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors received a bid of $8,000 plus the trade in value of an old engine, for a brand new fire engine from the American Fire Apparatus Co. of Detroit. This engine was a 1953 GMC chassis that was equipped with a 500 gallon-per-minute front mount pump, and a 500 gallon reserve water supply tank. On May 8, 1953 at 1:30 p.m., Mr. Bell delivered the truck. Firemen Jerry Collins and Reinie Reinick were detailed to man the rural engine. Four-and-a-half hours later, the truck was initiated when firemen were called to the Ben Fabrizius Farm, 1%2 miles east of Harmony. This 2 or 2'/2 ton 1953 GMC truck was custom ordered for rural firefighting. Significantly, it had a 500 gallon-per-minute Front Mount Pump. Having the pump mounted on the front permits using the pump while the truck is in motion, critical for fighting grass fires. The truck had two booster hose reels each carrying 200 feet of 1-inch hose. Attached to the hose were high pressure fog nozzles. It also haCftthe fo i u hose for pumping water out of a stream, lake or well. Tw ions r ' nc diameter, the other two 2 '/2inches. Some of the equipment tc 'ed i lu two c on dioxide fire extinguishers, a fire axe and wrecking bar, pl4- ct' of an inum extension ladder and twelve foot roof ladder. The vehicle had electric brakes in addition to the conventional type, and an auxiliary battery system. The 1953 GMC Fire Engine was used by the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District and the Fort Collins Fire Department from May 8, 1953 to January 1968. From1968 to 1976, the truck was assigned to the District's Laporte Volunteer Fire Department, serving the area north of Fort Collins and around Laporte. The PVFPD gave up the engine in 1976, when the Laporte Volunteer Fire Department disbanded upon creation of the town's first paid force, with Chuck Willis as district chief. The truck was next sent to the Wellington Fire District, becoming the principal fire truck at the Waverly station. In June 1991, the Livermore Volunteer Fire District organized, and the following year took possession of the 1953 GMC Pumper from the Wellington Department. In the spring of 2003, the Livermore District retired the engine. While over the years the fire tru nP Yaover tions, the vehicle retains amazingly good integrity. At so point, bar ets, originally mounted on the truck's sides, were removed replac with qcompartments. A rail was added over the bed of the truck, c a o the truck's open back. Two compartments behind the wheel were added, for "Scott" brand self contained breathing equipment. The truck also was equipped with emergency lighting and siren. Its future is finally assured.. Due to the efforts of Retired Fire Chief Ed Yonker, the 1953 GMC Front Mount Pump Engine is being restored, to become a part of the Poudre Fire Authority's safety program. For fifty years, for three districts, this fire engine has played an important role February 7, 2006 -3- Item No. 22 in fire protection and holds a unique place in the history of fire service in the area. It is well deserving of recognition as a Fort Collins Landmark. ATTACHMENTS • Landmark Preservation Co iss' n ff o dated J ary 25, 2006. ORDINANCE NO. 023, 2006 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS DESIGNATING THE 1953 GMC 500 GPM FRONT MOUNT PUMPER, OWNED BY THE POUDRE FIRE AUTHORITY AS A FORT COLLINS LANDMARK PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 14-2 of the City Code, the City Council has established a public policy encouraging the protection, enhancement and perpetuation of landmarks within the City; and WHEREAS,by Resolution dated January 25,2006,the Landmark Preservation Commission (the "Commission") has determined that the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumper has individual significance to Fort Collins under Landmark Standards(1)and(3),as this fire engine has played an important role in fire protection for fifty years,and for three districts, and holds a unique place in the history of fire service in the area; and WHEREAS, the Commission has further determined that said object meets the criteria of a landmark as set forth in Section 14-5 of the Code and is eligible for designation as a landmark, and has recommended to the City Council that said object be designated by the City Council as a landmark; and WHEREAS, the owner of the fire truck has consented to such landmark designation; and WHEREAS, such landmark designation will preserve the object's significance to the community; and WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the recommendation of the Commission and desires to approve such recommendation and designate said property as a landmark. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS as follows: Section 1. That the object known as the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumper, owned by the Poudre Fire Authority and currently stored in the Street Car Barn, 330 North Howes Street, Fort Collins, is hereby designated as a Fort Collins landmark pursuant to Chapter 14 of the Code of the City of Fort Collins. Section 2. That the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines for the treatment of historic properties, and/or conservation standards adopted for the 1953 GMC 500 GPM Front Mount Pumperand approved by the Landmark Preservation Commission,will serve as the standards by which alterations,additions,and other changes to the object will be reviewed for compliance with Chapter 14, Article 1II, of the Code of the City of Fort Collins. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 7th day of February, A.D. 2006, and to be presented for final passage on th 1st day of February, A.D. 2006. Ma ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading on the 21 st day of February, A.D. 2006. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk