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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br /> May 13, 2003 <br /> Page 4 <br /> 1 Council to be reasonable with these facilities and that the monies are spent wisely. He thanked <br /> 2 the Council for their time and asked for questions or comments. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Councilmember Faust thanked the Study Group for their work and recommendations. He also <br /> 5 thanked the community for their input. Councilmember Faust noted this was a difficult position <br /> 6 for all taxpayers as all residents would be expending money. He questioned if a reduction in the <br /> 7 public works facility by 37% could be done. Mr. Archambault indicated this was their <br /> 8 recommendation to keep within the $5 million budget. He noted an additional 600,000 square <br /> 9 feet was needed to bring the space up to what the facility demands, but would bring the budget <br /> 10 up to $5.5 million. <br /> 11 <br /> 12 Councilmember Faust indicated he feels the investment in these buildings will greatly benefit the <br /> 13 community if built with the next 50 years in mind. He noted an issue of flooding was postponed <br /> 14 for many years until the Council undertook the 100-year flood protection. Councilmember Faust <br /> 15 noted that Council undertook a great expense and criticism when addressing that issue,but did <br /> 16 the right thing for the community. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 Councilmember Faust stated the cost of not doing the improvements could greatly outweigh the <br /> 19 fee of doing it in the future. He noted interest rates are at an all time low, construction fees are <br /> 20 down and stated this would be a great time for the Council to seize the opportunity for the <br /> 21 greater good of the community. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Councilmember Thuesen thanked the Study Group for their efforts as he believes they exceeded <br /> 24 the requests of the Council. He stated he feels the community needs to address the fire station <br /> 25 health issues as they deserve a healthy environment to live and work in. Councilmember <br /> 26 Thuesen stated the public works facilities were not constructed for the needs of today. He feels <br /> 27 the employees deserve a safe and healthy work environment. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Councilmember Thuesen noted misleading information harms the public and that educating the <br /> 30 residents of the facts is the Council's goal at this time. He stated he feels the fire station and <br /> 31 public works facilities both have"leaky roofs"that need to be fixed and cannot be put off any <br /> 32 longer. Councilmember Thuesen stated he feels the updating of these facilities would increase <br /> 33 the value of the community going into the future. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Councilmember Sparks indicated the residents are questioning the level of services provided by <br /> 36 the City of St. Anthony. She noted this was addressed before the Study Group was established. <br /> 37 Councilmember Sparks explained the fire station needs a building and a functioning fire <br /> 38 department. She stated this must be done in an efficient manner with the citizens kept in mind. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 Councilmember Sparks stated she is convinced the public works facility is inefficient and also . <br /> 41 requires improvements. Mr. Archambault noted operations of the public facilities were discussed <br /> 42 after a first open house by drafting and having staff answer questions regarding these operations. <br /> 43 He stated communities that try and design a facility on their own without using a professional, <br /> 44 oftentimes end up creating numerous unforeseen problems. He noted professionals should be <br /> 45 used to help the City make the right decisions. <br /> 46 <br />