Committee: Building lacks fire alarms; low bid of $20,020 under budget

Tim, a member of the Buildings & Grounds committee, told colleagues the city building “has no fire alarms.” He said the committee solicited bids from three firms and the low bidder, Silco Fire & Security, quoted $20,020 — below the $25,000 amount budgeted for the work.

Tim described the work scope and schedule: installation would include horn strobes, regular strobes and pull boxes, and the vendor estimated a six- to eight-week wait for certain parts, with about a week of on-site work once materials arrive. He said the proposed system can tie into the building’s updated fire panel installed during an elevator upgrade two years ago, which helped lower the cost.

The committee discussed next steps; Chair (Unidentified) and Tim said they expect a resolution or ordinance to appear before council in the coming weeks to authorize the purchase order. No formal vote on the alarm installation occurred at this meeting.

City officials said the item was budgeted and that the low bid falls within the appropriated funds. The committee did not adopt a procurement motion at this meeting but signaled intent to place authorizing legislation on a near-term agenda.