5.o Approving a request from the Fire Department to utilize Public Works equipment for Fire Department water ball contest during Taco DazeFriday, August 17, 2018
Scandia City Council
14727 209th St N
Scandia, MN 55073
Madam Mayor Maefsky,
May name is Travis Loeffler, and I am a Training Captain on the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department. I
am writing today on behalf of Scandia Fire and Rescue, to ask for your approval for using Public Works
equipment for an event that we are hosting at Taco Daze on September 8th, 2018.
Scandia Fire has worked with the Scandia/Marine Lions Club Taco Daze Committee, and Meister's to
coordinate a "Water Ball Tournament" on the Saturday of Taco Daze, immediately following the parade.
This event was done in Scandia for many years, but hasn't been held for approximately the last 10 years.
The tournament will be in the same location as it has been in the past, between the Annex and Meister's
Bar (see map below), and both the Taco Daze Committee as well as Meisters, has approved this location
and time.
The game is played by stringing a 130 foot cable between two stationary objects, and hanging a ball
(barrel) on the line for two teams to battle with hose streams of water to move the barrel and score
points (photo below). Teams are comprised of four firefighters, from either Scandia or one of the
surrounding fire departments. At this point, we have three other fire department teams interested.
We are requesting resources that would allow us to safely and securely suspend the cable for the
tournament. In the past, the cable has been strung between two dump truck boxes that are facing
opposite directions. I have spoken with Neil about using the Public Works dump trucks, which is why
this letter is before you today. I have also worked with the Scandia Public Works Director, to ensure
that this would be an option, given the Council's approval. We were actually able to work recently with
Adam to ensure there were adequate attachment points on the dump trucks; they should work fine.
We are asking to use up to two dump trucks to be set up immediately following the Taco Daze Parade,
with assistance by the Scandia Fire Department, for the Water Ball Tournament. The trucks would be
returned promptly to the Public Works Garage following the event, which will likely last 1-2 hours from
set-up to tear -down.
There is a separate request to borrow the 2-3 small mobile bleachers located at the t -ball field east on
Oakhill, as had been done for many years in the past, to safely position spectators watching the
tournament. I, with the assistance of a few other firefighters, can safely transport the bleachers for the
event and return them to the t -ball field afterward.
Thank you for your consideration of these two requests. If there are any questions, you may contact
myself, or direct questions toward Chief Hinz, who will be in attendance at this City Council meeting.
As always, thank you for your support of the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department.
Map of truck Layout
Map of truck Layout
Sincerely,
Travis Loeffler
Scandia Fire and Rescue - Captain
on behalf of the Scandia Fire and Rescue Department