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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />FEBRUARY 21~ 1996 <br />Morelan asked what percentage of these buildings were <br />sprinkled. <br />Sween replied that only one was sprinkled, and that <br />building was a high-rise in Milwaukee. Sween stated <br />that he is certain with 9,000 units which house between <br />20,000 and 30,000 people there have been some kitchen <br />fires. Sween estimated that the resulting damage was <br />less than $50,000 and reported that there have been no <br />injuries during the time Dominium has owned multiple- <br />family complexes. Sween reported that high standards <br />have always been important to Dominium, and he felt <br />they were ahead of the curve on fire detection systems. <br />Morelan pointed out that the resistance to putting in a <br />fire suppression system is because of cost. No one <br />could argue against the benefits of the system. <br />Sween agreed and pointed out that the cost of a fire <br />suppression system would have a 100-year pay back. <br />However, Sween assured the Council that Dominium values <br />the life safety of its residents. <br />Fahey suggested that if the cost is too high to <br />sprinkle both buildings, perhaps one should be done at <br />this time. Fahey was concerned with the proposal of <br />Dominium to tie smoke alarms into the Fire Department <br />since he could envision the Fire Department making a <br />lot of false alarm calls. <br />Brachman suggested that the fire pulls in the hallways <br />and common areas could be tied into the Fire Department <br />versus the smoke detectors in the units. <br />Fahey felt the Council needed to determine whether it <br />would be beneficial to proceed with the installation of <br />a sprinkler system in one building at this time. Fahey <br />stated that he would like to see a system where the <br />City creates an incentive to owners of apartment <br />buildings to install sprinkler systems. Fahey stated <br />that he was not interested in the City's issuance fee <br />if it could be used to improve life safety in <br />multiples. Fahey felt other cities were missing <br />opportunities to work with developers to improve life <br />safety. Fahey stated that he understood the numbers <br />and was uncomfortable demanding that Dominium spend <br />between $140,000 and $170,000 to install a sprinkler <br />system. However, installation of a system in one of <br />5 <br />