The city of Columbiana can now boast one of the finest fire trucks in use in Shelby County at a savings of about $50,000

to taxpayers.

The Columbiana City Council recently approved the purchase of a 1998 E One fire truck from the Cahaba Valley Fire Department.

At its regular Nov. 18 meeting, the council approved the purchase of the fire truck at a cost of $200,000 pending the successful completion of a pump test which puts a fire truck through extreme stress.

Mayor Allan Lowe reported Friday that the 1998 E One passed the pump test with flying colors.

It was pointed out by city officials that even with the approval of an additional $25,000 in equipment for the latest addition to the fire department fleet, the fire truck purchase represents a savings of

$50,000 to taxpayers.

According to Howard, the city budgeted $275,000 for a new fire truck. However, bids came in between $269,000 (late) and $279,000. And all bids were rejected.

The Cahaba Valley Fire Truck listed for $392,000 new, said Howard.

And even though the

truck has 38,000 miles on it, he said it contains about $100,000 in options over what was included in the city’s original specs.

Also according to the City Council, when a fire truck is purchased from a municipality, there is no bid requirement. And the purchase of the E One will be paid from city bond money.

Howard said the E One includes a six-man, four-door cab; the pump is enclosed in a glass cab that a fireman can stand in or out of the weather; the body is all aluminum; there is a 2,000 gallon per minute pump with a 750 gallon water tank; a 1,250 gallon nozzle; a hydraulic ladder rack; and the truck comes with an air-operated jaws of life.

Howard also noted that the truck was already striped and painted requiring only a change in the city name and the number on the vehicle.

The council also approved an expense of $17,000 to purchase equipment for the truck and authorized the seeking of bids for four air parks expected to cost about $8,000 in all.

Howard said the newest member of the Columbiana Fire Department fleet is about a foot taller than the current fire truck, standing

11-feet-3-inches in height.

&uot;It’s a piece of apparatus that will carry us several years into the future for future growth,&uot; Howard said.

He said he likes the 2,000-gallon-per-minute pump, indicating the truck is set up for quick attack.

In other business, Police Chief Michael Lann presented information and was authorized to purchase a 2004 police vehicle from Woody Anderson Ford at a cost of $19,180.

The council also added Dec. 26 as a day off for city employees and made it a floating holiday for Sanitation Department.

At an earlier meeting, the council approved a Fiscal Year 2004 holiday schedule which includes 10-and-a-half days off for city employees including a half day off for New Years Eve.

In addition, the council held a public hearing on Nov. 18 and voted to rezone the Bill Cleckley property on the south side of Highway 70 at the intersection of 70 and County Highway 26 for additional homes in conjunction with an existing 107-lot residential subdivision.

The Columbiana Planning Commission recently voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning of more than eight acres from B-1 to RS-D subject to Cleckley providing adequate space on site for a municipal fire station.

Planning and Zoning Commission President Jim Strickland said the rezoning will allow for about 30 additional homes.

The council approved the request with the stipulation that land for a new fire station will be donated (at no charge) to the city.

The council also:

* Approved the payment of bills.

*Approved an advertisement for the position of Parks and Recreation Superintendent.

* Approved the second sector of the Hidden Springs Subdivision.

* Approved a payment of $69,055.70 with a retainage of $3,634.51 and a separate payment of $14,717,26

all from bond money to Gresham, Smith & Partners for Main Street revitalization.

* Approved a partial payment

of $12,531.70 to Wise Engineering for the UV System Inspection at the sewer treatment facility.

* Approved the payment of $1,804.45 for Police Department renovation expenses; $753.18 for city recreation building expenses; and $588.93 for Rescue 88 building expenses

incurred by Lathan & Associates, all

to be paid from bond money.

* Approved Mary Horton to use the city credit card while attending Magistrate School.

* Approved a transfer from the General Fund to the Library Account in the amount of $1,997.44 and from the General Fund to the Ball Park Construction Account for park and recreation in the amount of $532.30.

* Set a newsletter deadline of Dec. 10.

Absent from the Nov. 18 meeting was Councilmember Sherry Rush