08-14-2013 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 14, 2013 these locations were more appropriate for the Public Works garage than the former Brings property. Gagne questioned the need for a larger garage noting that the City is only 4 square miles in size and is not getting any bigger. Blesener indicated that there is currently equipment being stored outside that should be stored inside. He also noted that there are no utilities to the former Roseville Plumbing property, and that that area is being considered for redevelopment. The City Administrator reported that the city initially purchased the former Roseville Plumbing site with the intention of locating a new Public Works garage on that site. However, given the need to bring a street and utilities into the site as well as the potential for redevelopment of the area, it was felt that constructing the Public Works garage on this property would be an underutilization of the site. The Administrator reported that the City then looked at other potential locations, such as the Schrier property on Spruce Street. This site was not feasible a few years ago. The City had purchased a site on County Road B, but decided that the location at the south end of the City was inefficient for the Public Works operation. That property was sold by the City at a profit. The City Administrator pointed out the challenges to find a site that accommodates Public Works due to the nature of the operation and the need for some outside storage. He reported that in the 1990's the City commissioned a study of the current building which looked at its size and functionality for the Public Works operation. It was determined that there were building deficiencies and functionality problems. Given the cost to make needed corrections, the decision was that a new building was necessary. The Administrator reported that the City currently has equipment stored in a number of places, and from an efficiency standpoint needs to get this equipment under one roof. Gagne asked why the City did not purchase the former D & T Trucking property for Public Works. The Administrator reported that the City did have that discussion and, at the time, the owner wanted $4 million for the building and $400,000 for fixtures and other improvements. The City did not feel it could justify that number. The County then purchased the building for just over $2 million, and the Administrator indicated that the City was never aware that the price had been reduced to that level. Gagne expressed concern with the outdoor storage at this location. The City Administrator reported that the City would contact the Sheriff's Department to see if they could re- arrange or screen the impound lot so that the storage was not so visible. Blesener also pointed out that the City welcomed the Sheriffs Department in that location as a possible deterrent to crime that was occurring in the area. 8