By Erich C. Setzwein, Maisach
The effort can be seen, but implementation is a long time coming. The visitors to the municipal council meeting in the Gernlindener Bürgerzentrum recognized this on Thursday evening when it came to the procurement of air purification devices for the primary schools and day-care centers in Maisach and Gernlinden. Nobody doubted that now was the time to procure the equipment, but the lack of government regulations and funding opportunities are slowing the administration down. Even the demand of the Greens to get started immediately and simply procure air filter devices on the spot could not be met.
“The detailed regulations are missing”, explained the managing officer Peter Eberlein the current situation. Around 150 devices are required, the total cost of which, according to school advisor Christa Turini-Huber (CSU), could amount to 548,000 euros. But such an order would have a sum that makes any attentive councilor sit up and take notice. Because if this contract had to be put out to tender at the European level, the procurement could be delayed considerably. Neither Eberlein nor Mayor Hans Seidl (CSU) want that, but neither of them know how to prevent it. In view of the inadequate facts and figures from the Ministry of Education, Seidl said that there was a lot to be clarified. “We want secure information.”
The Greens want that too, and according to their parliamentary group spokeswoman Barbara Helmers, the community should “do whatever is necessary”. But Helmers envisions acquiring the equipment at short notice. Their reason: “We are absurdly late with it.” Her little boar tried to make it clear that she was way too early with that. “Unfortunately we are condemned to wait,” said the Maisach managing director, “we need the funding guidelines.” Eberlein said that they hope to receive funding of a maximum of 150 euros per room in which fans are to be placed.
The municipality has already received at least one recommendation, namely to look for a specialist company to advise them on the selection and operation of the air purifier. However, it is not yet clear which devices are suitable, what they ultimately cost and how much the community has to spend on regular maintenance. The price quoted by Turini-Huber was not questioned or corrected by anyone. According to Eberlein, the unit price is up to 4,000 euros.
The school clerk was confident that face-to-face lessons could take place again with the use of the air purification devices. However, you will have to continue testing in schools. In addition, there is “no clarity about further measures with increasing incidence,” said Christa Turini-Huber. She also pointed out that there could be follow-up costs after purchasing the devices. Mayor Seidl announced that a supplementary budget would be due due to the extraordinary costs.