Council updates: potential fire station site, town yard relocation and surplus land uses

Council members reported progress on a property transaction that town staff said would support a future fire station and town yard. At the Sept. 10 work session staff told the council the fire district had placed a future fire station at the site on its capital improvements program and had put the architectural work out to bid.

Council members said the fire district preferred a site across from Desert Gardens and is happy with the location. Staff said the fire district's five-year capital plan included the station and that the district was prepared to bid an architect to prepare plans. Council members discussed using the remaining back acre of the property as a town yard for public works storage; staff said alternative town-yard locations were being explored and that a different location might be identified.

Staff reported the town had received final documents from a consultant (Michelle) and expected staff (Heath) to record a property transfer with deed records soon; staff said they would check in a few days to confirm the recording and whether the grant-funded reports were posted online. No formal council action was taken at the work session; staff said a contract for the gate at a nearby HOA would return to council once town legal and staff finish drafting the town contract.

Council members asked staff to return with any contract drafts and to continue coordinating with the fire district on station plans.