Council Approves Hazardous‑Materials Grant and Authorizes Guaranteed Maximum Price for New Fire Stations

Caldwell — The City Council on Dec. 16 approved two major public‑safety items: acceptance of a state hazardous‑materials regional response grant and authorization of a guaranteed maximum price construction contract for the city’s multi‑station fire‑facility program.

Hazardous‑materials grant: Chief Daniels told the council that the state has provided appropriated funding to help local fire departments manage hazardous‑materials obligations and presented an agreement to designate Caldwell as a Type 4 regional response team. The state grant amount in the packet and staff presentation was $528,885.71; the council approved acceptance of the grant and authority for the mayor to execute the required state agreements. Chief Daniels said the Type 4 designation is a managed, sustainable response level that preserves regional capability while avoiding an unsustainable staffing commitment to a Type 2 roster.

Fire‑station construction: Chief Daniels also presented the final guaranteed maximum price (GMP) package from CORE Construction for construction of two new stations and related work (including repurposing the former city hall for fire administration and building Station 4). The chief described design changes and cost‑saving measures (single‑story Station 1 concept, a pre‑engineered building option for Station 4, and running both station projects concurrently to capture economies of scale).

Funding and figures: The meeting record includes two close figures for construction: the chief referenced a program total near $20,000,000 with bond proceeds of $17,300,000 previously approved by voters and additional funding from impact fees; the GMP motion recorded in the minutes authorized a CORE Construction guaranteed maximum price not to exceed $17,983,417.00 (the council approved that GMP motion unanimously). The chief said the program scope, which includes furniture, fixtures and equipment, was designed so no additional council requests for construction funding are expected beyond the adopted package.

Staffing implications: The fire chief said optimal staffing for each new station would be approximately 12 personnel per station and that a conservative initial staffing could be six personnel per station with adjustments as resources permit. Council members asked about the timing and land acquisition for Station 4; staff said the parcel is annexed but that dedication from the developer is pending and that construction for Station 4 was budgeted to begin after Station 1 (anticipated in the program schedule for 2027), allowing flexibility in the contractor schedule.

Council action and next steps: Councilor Stottick moved to approve the GMP contract and the motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Separately, council approved acceptance of the hazardous‑materials grant. Staff will proceed with contract execution and coordinate with the developer on property dedication and construction scheduling.

Provenance: the grant presentation and chief’s briefing, followed by motions and unanimous votes, were part of the council’s Dec. 16 regular meeting.