10-13-2014 Council Work Session Minutes

Home Search

CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 13, 2014 APPROVED 45 The council discussed the options. The mayor noted that the city currently has one station 46 and it does have office space and is located close to city hall, a benefit for the police 47 element. He likes the concept of having training facilities with the new station but 48 realizes it comes with a cost. Chief Swenson remarked on the importance of having 49 office facilities at each station to handle employment and administration for that station; 50 he encourages the council to think about future call volumes on the south side. Mayor 51 Reinert indicated that he likes Option B but perhaps with more training and less 52 administrative space. Council Member Kusterman asked if the city saves money by 53 having its own training and Chief Swenson explained that it becomes a minimum of 54 training if it's outsourced, but it can be frequent if you're doing it on site. Council 55 Member Rafferty said he's interested in more information that breaks down the cost 56 estimates. 57 58 The meeting was recessed for the regular council meeting. 59 60 The meeting was reconvened at 7:30 p.m. 61 62 All council members were present; Staff present were Administrator Karlson, Finance 63 Director Rolek; City Clerk Bartell, Public Safety Director Swenson; Community 64 Development Director Grochala 65 66 The council continued discussion of the fire station preliminary design options. Council 67 Member Rafferty said he likes some of what he is seeing but is concerned about the cost. 68 Architect Quinn Hutson recalled that there have been meetings and discussions about 69 preliminary design options. Some of the design options are based on what is being seen 70 in other new fire facilities; things that could have value for this city. When asked about 71 the value of dorm rooms, Chief Swenson explained that they open up the recruiting pool 72 beyond borders. On the training elements, Chief Swenson said there is definitely bang for 73 the buck — it is good for the organization and would provide for having a well -trained 74 force. The mayor said he is leaning toward including some training facilities at the right 75 cost. Council Member Roeser noted that he doesn't see the need for dorms or a 76 community room; a training tower is a good idea. 77 78 The council discussed parking needs and also the possible future conversion of space for 79 dorms. There was also discussion about reaching out for input from the current 80 firefighters and Chief Swenson said he would talk to Pat Devaney. 81 82 The mayor suggested that the council was gravitating toward Option B but with changes. 83 Administrator Karlson suggested that the footprint could remain but elements within the 84 preliminary design could be changed. Chief Swenson noted that he supports including 85 training elements over dorms. Council Member Rafferty recommended that the architect 86 be directed to work on the aesthetics of the building also because he feels improvement is 87 needed in that area. The council discussed the use and value of including a day rooms it's 88 an absolute need if an ambulance service was to ever be included at the facility. The 89 council would like additional information on the value of having in-house training.