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STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: September 9, 2025 <br /> <br />TO: Mayor and Councilmembers <br />FROM: Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief <br />REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br />ITEM: GIS Location Study – Potential South Station <br /> <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☒ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☒ Managed Growth <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Proposed in the 2026 budget is GIS location study to aid in the planning of a potential fire station <br />in the southern portion of the city. <br /> <br />During the 2025 city goal setting session, city staff discussed the need to research a possible <br />southern fire station and public safety facility to better serve the residents and future growth of <br />the city south of 10th Street: 2025 Goal Setting Binder - Laserfiche WebLink <br /> <br />With the transition to a combination staffing model with career and paid on-call staff, it would be <br />appropriate to look into locations for a second station to the south to improve response times and <br />service levels. <br /> <br />This study would review the City’s existing central station location and help determine various <br />station location scenarios. The fire station location study will be developed based on the <br />following considerations: using GIS Mapping to create response time polygons based on 3-5 <br />years of past National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data, the ability of the <br />Department to meet National Fire Protection Association 1710 (Career) requirements, the City’s <br />comprehensive plan and planned future growth, Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of the <br />City, and other potential issues specific to the Community (Lake Elmo Park Reserve, railroads, <br />rivers, highways, etc.) <br /> <br />During the 2026 budget planning, it was decided to remove the funding of this study. <br /> <br />FISCAL IMPACT: <br />The budgeted amount for this project was $13,000 for 2026. This amount was based on similar <br />studies recently completed for neighboring cities. This project has been removed from the 2026 <br />budget and there is no longer any fiscal impact for 2026. <br /> <br />