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Fire chief lays out options for prevention‑unit space; council weighs bonding vs. upfitting city‑owned space
Summary
Fire Chief Stephen Locke recommended bonding to build an addition and use a capital assessment fee to pay debt service; councilors asked for tours of available city space at 19 Gregory Drive and requested more cost detail before deciding whether to bond or upfit existing properties.
Fire Chief Stephen Locke presented seven options on Oct. 6 to address space constraints for the fire prevention and rental‑registry team, including continuing in a temporary trailer, upfitting existing city‑owned space at 19 Gregory Drive, leasing commercial space, or bonding for a new addition paid back by a capital assessment fee charged on permits.
Chief Locke said the fee has collected nearly $20,000 in two months and that projections suggest the assessment could support debt service for bonding. "We were hoping to use up to a $100,000 of 1 time ARPA inspired funds to target ADA compliance... we've collected almost $20,000 in the 2 months," he told the council while framing bonding as the long‑term preferred option if the council decides to proceed.
Councilors expressed mixed views about timing and political risk. Some members favored bonding now with user fees paying the debt service; others suggested living with an interim solution (trailers or temporary upfits) while building a track record for the assessment fee and exploring available city‑owned space. Staff and council agreed to schedule building tours (Dorset Street facility and 19 Gregory Drive where space may be available) and to return with cost estimates and a recommended path prior to any bond planning that would require public notice and a March vote.
