AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2026-39R, approving an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Friendswood, for the purchase of a 2000 Pierce ladder truck, to be used as a blocker truck, in the amount of $99,000.00; authorizing the City Manager, or her designee, to execute the Interlocal Agreement on behalf of the city; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: March 3, 2026
Department: Fire Department - Les Stephens, Chief
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $99,000.00
Account or Project Number (C = CIP funds): 10002135-60125
Funds Available: Yes
Account Name: Fire - Equipment
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: N/A
City Council Strategic Initiative: [Please select from the dropdown menu below]
Public Safety, Core Services & Fiscal Excellence
Choose an item.
Choose an item.
Comprehensive Plan Element (s): [Please select the Plan element(s) and Goal # from dropdown menu below]
☐ Arts and Culture - Choose an item.
☐ Economic Development - Choose an item.
☐ Environment & Resource Protection - Choose an item.
☐ Housing + Neighborhoods - Choose an item.
☐ Land Use + Community Design and Character - Choose an item.
☐ Parks & Public Spaces + Health, Safety & Wellness - Choose an item.
☐ Transportation - Choose an item.
☒ Core Services
☐ Not Applicable
Master Plan: [Please select the corresponding Master Plan from the dropdown menu below (if applicable)]
Choose an item.
Background Information:
The City of San Marcos (the “City”) has been provided the opportunity to purchase a used 2000 Pierce ladder truck fire apparatus through an interlocal purchase agreement from the City of Friendswood in the amount of $99,000. The City intends to outfit the fire apparatus as a blocker truck. This will give us one frontline and one reserve, so we have a back-up for when the frontline is out of service for maintenance or repairs.
This purchase is exempt from competition through Local Government Code, Section 252.022(a)(12)(C) as the fire apparatus is property being sold by a political subdivision of this state, e.g., the City of Friendswood.
The City intends to outfit the fire apparatus to be used as a blocker truck. The blocker truck will serve as a mobile barrier that can respond immediately and be positioned in a manner that protects accident victims and all emergency responders (fire, police, EMS, and wrecker operators). The blocker will be dispatched in place of a second frontline apparatus on major accidents, thus increasing the availability/reliability of our frontline apparatus. It will also be utilized to block for the police department when they need to conduct prolonged accident investigations on busy roadways such as IH35 and the access roads.
There have been multiple incidents in the past in which City Police and Fire vehicles as well as first responders have been struck during emergency response on roadways. Among the more memorable events, in March 2020, San Marcos Police Department Officer Paul Beller, who had served the City for 19+ years, was struck when he exited his patrol vehicle to clear lumber from the lanes of traffic on IH35. Officer Beller suffered significant and permanent injuries that resulted in his retirement. The year prior in May 2019, Officer Claudia Cormier lost a leg when she was struck by a vehicle on IH35 while attempting to remove large debris from the roadway. She endured years of rehabilitation and requires the use of a prosthetic device.
Having a properly outfitted blocker truck will reduce the risk to our personnel and our newer, more costly frontline apparatus.
There are similar blocker programs operating in Irving, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Garland, Carrollton, Denton, among other jurisdictions.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
N/A
Alternatives:
N/A
Recommendation:
Staff recommends approving this interlocal purchase agreement.