TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, Interim City Manager
FROM:
Robert Espinosa, Fire Chief
Mike Boyd, Fire Battalion Chief
Tim O’Brien, Fire Captain
Walberto Martin, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Donation of Two Surplus Ambulances to Manhattan Beach Sister City Santa Rosalia, Baja Sur, Mexico (Fire Chief Espinosa).
APPROVE
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the donation of two surplus ambulances to Manhattan Beach Sister City Santa Rosalia, Baja Sur, Mexico.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
These vehicles, which have been retired from City service, have a combined value of approximately $18,000. All export and associated fees for title and licensing will be handled by our Sister City, Santa Rosalia.
BACKGROUND:
Both Fire Department vehicles - 2007 and a 2008 Leader Ambulance on Ford E350 chassis - were replaced last year as part of the City’s fleet replacement program. The new ambulances are now in service. These older vehicles have been removed from service and are ready to be auctioned for the best attainable value, as required by the City’s Municipal Code (this requirement may be waived by the City Council).
In the past, the City has donated surplus ambulances and property to our sister city (with City Council approval) to support their efforts to serve their community. The City has also donated vehicles and equipment to other organizations, including El Camino College, Manhattan Beach Unified School District, Manhattan Beach CERT program, and the Los Angeles County Fire Life Guards. These organizations are typically either another public agency or community organizations with limited funding sources, where our surplus equipment has great value.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has received a request from Santa Rosalia for these vehicles (Attachment 1). Santa Rosalia is a small isolated town with a largely volunteer fire department that depends heavily on goodwill donations for emergency equipment. These ambulances would serve their community to assist in the care and transportation of the injured and infirmed.
Municipal Code Section 2.36.180 requires that surplus property be disposed of for the best attainable value, which is typically obtained through public auction. Staff has estimated, based on similar used vehicles (make, model, age, mileage, etc.), that the value is approximately $18,000, which the City will forego by donating to this organization. However, because of the value of the City’s relationship with Santa Rosalia, staff recommends that the City Council approve the donation of these vehicles where they will have an intrinsic value much higher than that which is attainable at auction.
If approved, officials from Santa Rosalia will pick up the vehicles from the City. A release of liability will be obtained prior to donation.
POLICY ALTERNATIVES:
Sell these surplus vehicles at auction.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST:
There is no public outreach required for this issue
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no further legal analysis is necessary
Attachments:
1. Donation Request by Santa Rosalia, Baja Sur, Mexico
2. Legal agreement between Sister Cities (Manhattan Beach and Santa Rosalia)