YORBA LINDA : Council Votes Funds for Fire Sprinklers

The City Council has voted 3 to 2 to install a $50,000 fire-sprinkler system in City Hall.

The decision came Tuesday as a follow-up to action taken by the council in January requiring fire sprinklers in all new structures, including residences, built in the city.

Councilman Roland E. Bigonger voted against the proposal, suggesting that the sprinklers be installed as part of a planned expansion of City Hall, which is expected to be occur in about two years.

“The building was built without them, it is occupied only during the daytime, and there are smoke detectors and fire extinguishers all around,” he said.

Bigonger said that if a fire occurred in the building, “there wouldn’t be any danger of loss of life.”

“I don’t think we’ve got that much to worry about,” said Mayor Gene Wisner, who also opposed the expenditure.

However, Councilman Irwin M. Fried said he is “not willing to gamble” on the absence of sprinklers.

“We have people in the place all the time, wandering about,” said Councilman Henry W. Wedaa. “It would be worthwhile to (install the sprinklers) now.”