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Residents press council over city-owned Cedar Drive property and temporary fire station plan
Summary
Multiple residents questioned the city's long-term plans for the house at 10001 Cedar Drive (purchased as temporary city hall housing) and urged transparency and open bidding for reuse or sale; residents also debated whether a temporary local fire facility should be a full engine or a smaller response vehicle.
During the public-comment period multiple residents raised questions about long-term uses and fiscal impacts of the city-owned house at 10001 Cedar Drive, purchased in 2006 as temporary city-hall housing and currently used for equipment storage. Eene Woodside, who said she lives across the street, asked for a public bidding process and listed potential fiscal questions including past improvement costs, utilities, insurance and lost tax revenue: "What were the expenses from 2018 to now? Was a real estate firm involved? Will the funds be allocated for the reserve account?" she asked.
Several speakers addressed proposals to temporarily locate a fire station on city property near Cedar Drive. Roger Maul and Tony Gatlin, representing north-side residents, urged smaller emergency-response vehicles rather than a full-size fire engine because of narrow streets and congestion; Maul suggested an emergency-response boat for waterfront access. Other residents, including Pam Garcia and Cheryl Bray, supported a nearby temporary station and said closer response could raise property values and lower insurance costs. City Manager Kyle Winkler and Mayor Dave Gatis noted that selling city property may require a referendum under city code and that Planning & Zoning recommended a ban on bamboo, which will be considered as an ordinance.
