06/28/2004 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Special Council Minutes of 6/28/2004 otherwise improving real estate and interests therein for its site; and declaring an emergency. Present were committee members Kasler and Miller, the Mayor; the Assistant Fire Chief, the Law Director, the Safety Director and various other Council members. This resolution proposes to bring forth bonds in the amount of $4 million to be set fora 20 year rate. It would be approximately .35 mills. The Mayor, in his report, estimated the annual cost to the residerrt of a $150,000 to be $16. He also pointed out that the sewer levy currently in existence which is at .5 mills is due to expire this year. Estimated costs involved were $2 million to $2.5 million for the station, $150,000 for the engineering plans, $500,000 for land appropriation, and $625,000 for a Quint engine. This engine has five key features: an aerial device, ground ladders, fire pump, water tank and fire hoses. It's kind of a crossover between the two more common types of fire fighting apparatus that are typically seen. The city owns one now, and this would allow us to have one at each fire station. The current location is no longer viable to expand upon. The lot is relatively small and not appropriate for the size and the necessary equipment that are used today. It may have been more appropriate in the days of horse- drawn wagon fire fighting, but no longer for what we need. Two properties were discussed, primarily one owned by the Metroparks and one nearby. Both of these properties being discussed are very close to the existing fire station and both front on Lorain Road. Mr. Dailey asked if the issue of regionalization was off the table or what the status was of possibly contacting North Ridgeville and neighboring cities to participate. The committee was told that the monies affecting regionalization fire fighting had come in significantly lower than the amount had been anticipated. He has sent afollow-up letter to the Mayor with regard to that and has not received an answer to the question of whether or not regionalization as it applies to North Olmsted is completely off the table or not. The Assistant Chief made a presentation. He indicated that a key factor in location in this situation is the issue of response time and feels strongly that the best location for response time is just about where the station is now located. The committee discussed response time at length. The committee was satisfied that the location is the best for the entire community. The committee was informed that the equipment that the city has now includes a fire engine purchased in 2000, a Quint purchased in 1995 and another engine purchased about 1990. Mr. Nashar inquired whether three stations would be needed. It was indicated that that issue had been discussed. It was explained that discussion was a relative issue when annexation was being considered at the time. Mrs. Kasler asked about the funding source, and the Mayor indicated that we would need to continue with the fund that we had thought would be used for purchase of equipment, and the fund for building of buildings would be used as a reserve. He asked the Mayor whether or not, with the expiration of the current sewer levy, the city would need a replacement fund or an additional fund in the near future. The Mayor said, as far as he could see at this time, he did not anticipate one. He has asked for clarification and detail on that, but has not yet received a response. He did ask the Finance Director a similar question and was told that the question was irrelevant. The issue of a reserve fund was discussed at length. The floor plan of the building was discussed. A drawing was provided showing atwo-story floor plan that includes a dormitory area, storage of equipment area, conference room, training room and the standard service room for the crew, an exercise room, locker rooms and a mezzanine. The committee made a recommendation to approve Resolution 2004-107 with a 2-0 vote. 10