Elliot Lake City Council has approved purchase of a 2004 Jet A International Refueller from Advance Engineer Product Group at Happy Gas, a company located in Grand Prairie, Alberta. The unit will replace the current refueller at Elliot Lake Airport, purchased used by the city in 2008. The cost of the replacement unit is $149,000 plus tax. Halloch said If bought new, the equipment would cost about $350,000.
The jet fueller upgrade was recommended to Council by Elliot Lake Director of Public Works Daryl Halloch as a replacement for the 1984 model chassis unit being used now. He reported an inspection by a technician from Northern Metering of Sudbury showed the old truck is basically irreparable with many of its parts no longer available. In Mr. Halloch's words, "It is at a state now that it will likely not pass inspection and be out of service permanently."
After hearing the current unit has serious 'leak' issues, Councillor Sandy Finamore said she was concerned that city workers might be working on it in unsafe conditions.
Halloch continued in his report, "Used jet refuelers are rarely found in Canada for resale, if one is available it sells quickly. Most often units are available in the United States, however there are different compliance regulations and the unit would have to be retrofitted to meet Canadian standards, which can be very costly."
The Public Works Director added, "The used refueller we are requesting has a 2010 tank which has a lifespan of approximately 40 plus years, so it would be good till roughly 2050. The truck chassis itself should last similar to the current one which is over thirty-five years old."
The unit which is in Grand Prairie, Alberta now, sells for $149,000 plus applicable tax. It comes with a written inspection report. Mr. Halloch wrote; "The chassis was previously used as a delivery vehicle and purchased at a later date and retrofitted with the fuel tank and components. The cost of the truck chassis, tank, Northern Metering of Sudbury and Happy Gas of Grand Prairie is $115,000. Float truck delivery to Elliot Lake is $9,000, Annual Inspection is $5,000 and an FSII Injector (required for aircraft requiring anti-icing additive) costs $20,000 - for a total of $149,000 plus tax.
Councillor Chris Patrie wanted to make sure the city tries to sell the old jet refueller unit and was promised by Mr. Halloch that an effort would be made to get something for it, even if it's just to sell the old truck chassis. Councillor Ed Pearce had concerns that no one from Elliot Lake has actually seen the new re-refueller. Mr. Halloch assured him that everything possible has been done to get information online and by telephone, with questions being asked from city staff and management. Halloch estimated the fleet reserve this year is in the order of $700,000 for budget purposes.