Council advances purchase of 22100 Mastic Road to second reading after lengthy questions

City staff and the mayor presented a plan to purchase 22100 Mastic Road and convert the 2.6-acre site into a consolidated service garage for the city’s fleet and storage needs. "I am Megan Otter," said Megan Otter during the presentation, identifying herself as the presenter. Staff showed photos and described the existing service garage as small, built in the 1950s–1960s, and insufficient to shelter the city’s vehicles and equipment.

Mayor Schneider said the building could provide immediate space and staging while long-term construction is phased in. "So as you can probably imagine, we need space," he said, laying out earlier failed attempts to expand the City Hall yard and noting hiring and maintenance benefits from indoor storage. Director Hitch and other staff pointed to damaged locker rooms, a leaking salt dome and vehicles exposed to the elements as drivers for the proposal.

Council members pressed for clearer cost estimates and alternatives before committing public money. Councilman Rick Raley asked whether the council had time to make an informed decision without detailed drawings and a full cost comparison: "I don't know if we're gonna be able to make an informed decision by the end of March," he said. Staff estimated full build-out could range from roughly $4 million to $10 million, and said purchase would use a county grant with construction likely bond-financed over a long term.

After extended questioning about traffic, noise mitigation, proximity to homes, and the loss of a commercially zoned parcel, the committee approved a procedural motion to place ordinance 26-18 on second reading and return it to committee so staff could supply requested materials (renderings, comparative costs and a project timeline). The vote was procedural — not final passage — and the mayor and staff were directed to provide the additional information before the committee considers final approval.