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Council authorizes discussions on proposed fire station land purchase, plans public survey at festival
Summary
Council authorized the Mayor, Clerk/Treasurer, fire officials and the property owner to meet to negotiate a potential fire station land purchase agreement, and a public survey will be distributed at the Firefighters Festival to gather input from affected citizens.
The City Council on July 8 authorized city leaders and fire officials to meet with a property owner to discuss a possible land purchase agreement for a proposed new fire station, including an option for the City to opt out if funding does not proceed.
Mayor Laura Barlond-Maas said consultant Matt Biolette (Fleis & Vandenbrink) had recommended a meeting with the property owner and suggested a public survey to gauge interest and impacts among residents and nearby townships. The Mayor and Clerk/Treasurer Amy Huepenbecker said that QR codes would be used at the Firefighters Festival to collect survey responses. Resident Jennifer Miller asked how the survey would prevent responses from nonresidents from skewing results; the Mayor said she would discuss that question with the consultant.
Council moved, by motion of Don Walker supported by Joe Hoffdahl, to authorize the Mayor, Clerk/Treasurer, Fire Commissioner Don Walker, Fire Chief John Collins, the City Attorney, and the property owner to discuss the land purchase agreement. Motion carried 6-0.
Why it matters: acquiring land for a fire station is a multi-step process that may require public engagement and funding decisions; the Council authorized initial private discussions with identified city representatives and a proposed public survey to collect community feedback.
Next steps: the authorized group will meet with the property owner and the Clerk/Treasurer will coordinate survey distribution at the Firefighters Festival; the Council will review any funding implications in subsequent meetings.
