CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Agenda Date: June 21, 2021 Action Required: Approval of a Resolution Presenter: Dr. Hezedean Smith, Fire Chief Staff Contacts: Dr. Hezedean Smith, Fire Chief Title: Proposed Donation of Fire Truck to Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association Background: Engine 1, a 1948 American LaFrance Fire Engine was an integral part of the Charlottesville Fire Department’s fleet of equipment, providing our City with many years of fire protection. When placed in service in the late 1940’s, Engine 1 was progressive technology for its time and for many years, this apparatus was on the front line of fire incidents within the City. In later years after Engine 1 was decommissioned as a suppression piece, this vehicle helped teach our community, including thousands of children, about fire safety when utilized by the fire prevention office. For nearly 60 years, Engine 1 served as a beacon to the City of Charlottesville. Sadly, since its last use in 2000, Engine 1 has sat abandoned and has slowly deteriorated over the years as it has been stored outside exposed to the elements. The Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association would like to intervene and salvage this historical icon. We are respectfully requesting Engine 1 be donated to the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association. Through fundraising efforts, it is the Association’s intent to find an appropriate location (not on city property) to store and begin the restoration process needed without using city dollars to bring Engine 1 back to its former beauty. Discussion: Section 2-98(a) of the Charlottesville City Code specifies that “for every ordinance or resolution…donating any property of the city, where the value of such property is one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more, a vote of a majority of all members elected to the council shall be necessary and the "ayes" and "noes" shall be entered on the minutes of the council.” The value of the Fire Engine is estimated to be around $5000. Section 15.2-953 of the Virginia Code authorizes a locality to make donations to any charitable institution or association, located within their respective limits or outside their limits if such institution or association provides services to residents of the locality; however, such institution or association shall not be controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society. The Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association is a charitable association, as evidenced by IRS 501(c) nonprofit status and Articles of Charter for Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association date June 1974, which documents have been reviewed by Chief Smith. Alignment with Council Vision Areas and Strategic Plan: Our community has world-class performing, visual, and literary arts reflective of the unique character, culture, and diversity of Charlottesville. Charlottesville cherishes and builds programming around the evolving research and interpretation of our historic heritage and resources. Through City partnerships and promotion of festivals, venues, and events, all have an opportunity to be a part of this thriving arts, cultural, and entertainment scene. Protect historic and cultural resources. The historic and cultural resources in the city are economic development and tourism assets. They also represent a testament to the community’s past. The preservation of these resources is critical to protect the character of the city. The strategies and policies to preserve and sustain these resources include education, urban design, resource inventory, neighborhood conservation, resource protection, entrance corridor and other regulatory review, and technical assistance to property owners. Community Engagement: Once restored, Engine 1 could again be used for special occasions within the city, whereas firefighters are represented and throughout the City for community engagements. This donation would not only serve as a symbol of our combined efforts but would also allow a vibrant piece of our City’s and the Charlottesville Fire Department’s history to be preserved. Budgetary Impact: This has no impact on the General Fund if donated. Legal Review: The City Attorney reviewed this request prior to placement on the Council Agenda, and the City Attorney confirmed that the requested action is within City Council’s authority. Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the donation. Alternatives: If the request to donate is not approved, staff recommends the engine be turned over to Purchasing for sale/disposal as surplus property. Attachments: (1) Proposed Resolution (2) Correspondence sent by Jeremy F. Graybill to Fire Chief Smith, requesting that City Council donate the Fire Engine RESOLUTION APPROVING A DONATION OF 1948 AMERICAN LAFRANCE FIRE ENGINE TO THE CHARLOTTESVILLE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION WHEREAS, the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association has requested the City to donate to it certain property, specifically a 1948 American LaFrance Fire truck (the “Fire Engine”); and WHEREAS, the Fire Engine is currently in storage, and the City has no plans to re-use the Fire Engine for the provision of firefighting services, and staff estimates the value of the Fire Engine to be around ($5000.00). WHEREAS, this City Council has authority pursuant to Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-951 to dispose of personal property, and City Council also has authority pursuant to Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-953 to make donations of property to certain charitable institutions, associations or nonprofits; and WHEREAS, it is the determination of this City Council, based on information assembled and provided by Chief Hezedean Smith, that the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association is a charitable association located within City limits and is therefore an entity to which the Council is expressly authorized to make donations of property pursuant to Virginia Code Sec. 15.2-953; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE that the Fire Engine is hereby donated to the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association. June 11, 2021 Dr. Hezedean Smith 2420 Fontaine Ave Charlottesville, VA 22903 Dr. Hezedean Smith: On behalf of the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association, I am writing you today to ask for your help in preserving a piece of our Charlottesville Fire Department's rich history. The iconic 1948 American La France Engine was an integral part of the Charlottesville Fire Department's fleet of equipment, providing our City with fire protection in its day. When placed in service in the late 1940s, Engine 1 was progressive technology for its time and for many years, this apparatus was on the front line of fire incidents within the City. In later years after Engine 1 was decommissioned as a suppression piece, this vehicle helped teach our community, including thousands of children, about fire safety. For nearly 60 years, Engine 1 served as a beacon to the City of Charlottesville. Sadly, since its last use in 2000, Engine 1 has sat abandoned and has slowly deteriorated over the years as it has been neglected and exposed to the elements. The Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association is a nonprofit organization, chartered in 1974 and registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a S0l(c) 5. We are respectfully requesting Engine 1 be donated to the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association so that we may intervene and salvage this historical icon. Through our fundraising efforts, it is the Association's intent to find a dry location to store and begin the restoration process needed to bring Engine 1 back to its former beauty. We commit to the following: • Engine will be housed on private property • Funding and responsibility for restoration, maintenance and upkeep will be solely the responsibility of the Charlottesville Professional Firefighters Association. We hope it can again be an apparatus we are all proud of. Once restored, Engine 1 could again be used for special occasions within our department and throughout the City. This donation would not only serve as a symbol of our combined efforts but would also allow a vibrant piece of our City's and the Charlottesville Fire Department's history to be preserved. I appreciate your time and consideration and look forward to hearing from you soon. Respectfully, Jeremy F. Graybill CPFFA Local 2363 Secretary/ Treasurer