Chief outlines phased repair plan as committee discusses $25,000 EDC allocation for fire station

Acting Fire Chief Keith Albert told the Economic Development Committee on Jan. 14 that the department plans phased repairs and concept design work for the Central Fire District station and hopes to stage work over two to three years to avoid relocating staff.

"Once that vote went through...we decided we're gonna keep it on hold because we don't want to do something and then have to go back to the drawing board," Albert said, describing how dispatch-related timing affects when spaces will be available for renovation. He told members he has met with an architect who did the work on headquarters and that concept plans will be available as the department phases engineering and design work.

Committee members pressed about whether the $25,000 earmarked for the department comes from the economic development fund and whether the mayor or the committee controls that fund. Director Christine Marks stated, "The mayor has already approved this funding for the fire," and staff said the economic development ordinance is the controlling language that defines who may authorize expenditures. Chair Vinnie Lefredo asked staff to review the ordinance and to circulate the controlling language to the committee because he was not previously aware the mayor could approve these disbursements directly.

Why it matters: The funds are modest but the question of appropriate governance — when and how an economic development fund is used for infrastructure that benefits public safety — drew sustained committee scrutiny. Members asked for clearer accounting and asked staff to provide a fund balance and any controlling ordinance language.

What’s next: Staff agreed to supply the committee with the EDC ordinance language and a clearer fund reporting package, and to confirm whether the previously discussed $25,000 has been expended or remains available.