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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 13, 2003 Page 5 Councilmember Horst thanked the Study Group for all their hard work. He noted this was a great 2 undertaking that worked out for the best. He noted he considered both projects as being essential 3 infrastructure to the City and its residents. He stated the public has been involved with this issue 4 and provided great input. Councilmember Horst indicated the Study Group was not guided by 5 the Council, but instead charged to find and recommend solutions. 6 7 Mayor Hodson reviewed the history of the public works facilities and fire station. He noted the 8 public wants increased revenues streams while promoting redevelopment of the City. Mayor 9 Hodson stated he is struggling with these improvements, and that creating a building that would 10 last 50 years would cost a greater amount of money than a quick fix. 11 12 Mayor Hodson questioned the quality of construction and if the Christen site could be reduced to 13 a three bay station. He wondered if this could then be increased in the future and also if the 14 public works facility vehicles could sit outside and if there was a cost to doing so. Mr. 15 Archambault noted with the $6.2 million option, all vehicles would be stored inside and would 16 also have the fourth bay at the fire station. He indicated the$5 million option would allow for a 17 three bay solution at the fire station with a lot of public work vehicles being stored outside. Mr. 18 Jeff Oeretel, architect, noted adding the fourth bay in the future would be a great expense with 19 the current design of the fire station. 20 21 Mayor Hodson asked for the cost of the reduction of the fourth bay. Mr. Oertel stated this was a 0 reduction of$180,000 for the fourth bay. 24 Mayor Hodson reiterated the importance of the meeting room area in the fire department as there 25 was not enough room at City Hall. He questioned the life expectancy of the proposed buildings. 26 Mr. Oertel stated the proposed buildings would last a lifetime as they would be concrete 27 structures. 28 29 Jim Wiehoff, 3508 Coolidge Street NE, greeted the Council and thanked them for their efforts. 30 He pointed out that the cost per capita in St. Anthony was $272 for public safety and fire. He 31 noted there are only 8,000 residents in the City of St. Anthony and for families with multiple 32 children this becomes extreme. He noted the City of New Brighton has a cost per capita of 33 roughly$100, Arden Hills was roughly$70, Mounds View was roughly$125, Roseville was 34 roughly$155 and Falcon Heights was roughly$100. He stated he feels that St. Anthony's 35 expenses are out of line. He added that he would like to see this voted on and not have the 36 Council use leased revenue bonds. 37 38 Tom Roman, 2700 30`h Avenue NE, noted he has been a resident since 1979. He stated he 39 appreciates the community he lives in. Mr. Roman commented there was no real hard data that 40 these facilities are going to last 50 years. He suggested the volunteer fireman be allowed to 41 break laws to increase response times. Mr. Roman stated in these economic times, tax increases 42 should be considered cautiously. He noted there are taxes all around residents at a local, state 43 and federal level. Mr. Roman considered reducing the number of fire trucks to reduce the size of the building as the vast majority of the calls within the City are medical. He stated he wants a vote on this issue and not have it decided by the Council. Mr. Roman suggested the Christen site 46 be examined further for contamination and pollution, which would increase City expenses.