People who visit Mosaic Place for a hockey game, concert or convention can be confident that modern automated external defibrillators (AED) will be on hand should they suffer a heart attack.
City council approved the purchase of six new AEDs for Mosaic Place during its May 13 regular meeting.
Four FRX AEDs — with eight-year warranties, new batteries, and new pads — will cost $1,800 each, or $7,200 in total. Two other FRX AEDs with similar specifications will cost $1,700 each, or $3,400 in total. With GST included, the entire purchase comes to $11,766. After a warranty rebate is factored in, however, the total cost will be $7,416.
Funding for these six AEDs would come from the accumulated depreciation of $10,457 of previous AED units, according to an administrative report.
Mosaic Place has six AEDs that are near the end of their 10-year lifespan. Two of the six units fall under a recall notice, while the remainder still qualify for a warranty rebate.
“The replacement of these machines is a high priority, as it is a safety concern for staff and clientele of Mosaic Place,” the report added.
Coun. Brian Swanson wondered if council was going to be asked to approve all equipment reserve purchases on items that have depreciated, as he didn’t understand why this particular purchase was before them. He also thought administration had already made significant purchases recently from the equipment reserve.
“The reason this here is because that was not in the previous budget you had approved,” explained finance director Brian Acker. “This is an addition, so we require council’s approval to expend reserve funds.”
The next regular council meeting is May 27.
