MVCSD approves preliminary repairs on Medic Engine 461 and sharpens proposal to hire grant writing services

The Morongo Valley Community Services District Board of Directors (MVCSD) held a special meeting last night in Covington Park’s Mesquite Room.

After approving the mid-year budget review and tabling the decision on a new attorney for the next meeting, the Board continued their discussion on K&M Enterprises’ proposal to provide grant writing and fund development for the district. A former director on the MVCSD Board, K&M representative Kristina Brooks’ proposal includes a one-year agreement for 20 hours per month at a reduced rate of $95 an hour. Because she knows the unique needs of the district from previously serving on the board, Brooks said she would strategize going for smaller tribal and foundation grants to start since they take less time, compared to the larger ones where the chances of receiving the grants are also more challenging. Because Brooks said a smaller grant would take an average of five hours to write, the Board discussed editing the proposal to 5-10 hours a month to start and would make their decision by the next regular meeting. 

The Board found themselves between a rock and hard place with Fire Chief Catalbiano’s $22,000 request to repair the problematic Medic Engine 461. Last year, the same Medic Engine sat for months at FAS (Fire Apparatus Solutions) with inconclusive diagnostics, only to return to the station with similar electrical issues after paying thousands to FAS. The Board, acknowledging the repairs urgency yet “gun shy” to make a second gamble at the proposed rate, approved a spending limit of $7500 for beginning repairs of the apparatus. The Board is still taking applications to fill their vacant seat until February 11 and will be appointing a new Board member at the next regular meeting on Wednesday, February 18.

For more information, please visit: https://www.morongovalleyfire.org/mvcsd-board-vacancy