City Council Meeting Date: January 17, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Ben Martig, City Administrator
Title
Consider Resolution Affirming Support of Fire Station Facility Upgrade.
Body
Action Requested:
Staff recommends approval of Resolution Affirming Support of Fire Station Facility Upgrade.
Summary Report:
The NAFRS Board has been working on addressing the requirement of the current Joint Powers Agreement Fire Protection and Rescue Services Section 17c. that indicates “NAFRS shall make a recommendation to the Parties on the location, cost, ownership and financing of an upgraded or new fire facility.” The City Council reviewed this resolution and information at the January 3, 2017 regular meeting. The presentation of the a recommendation to NAFRS members at a public meeting on December 8, 2016 at the Community Resource Bank at 1605 Heritage Drive in Northfield. The presentation at <https://vimeo.com/channels/ntv26/195317155> as background to this discussion. Past studies can also be reviewed at the following location: <https://weblink.ci.northfield.mn.us/Weblink/Browse.aspx?dbid=0&startid=108299&row=1&cr=1>
The members of the JPA, including the Northfield City Council, are being requested to act on the attached resolution that would allow the project to proceed for further review and analysis under the parameters summarized in the resolution. There are many more details and actions that are being planned, but the resolution would give an overarching support within those areas to continue to do research and completion of tasks related to this project.
The Northfield City Council may have additional questions that may be unique from other members as owners of the building that is also located at a key gateway to the City. Some of these issues could include items such as streetscaping and gateway enhancements with the project, possible future trail connection along the river, landscaping planned on the site, exterior building design and materials for the project, and possibly others. It is important to consider these in the development of the next phase of the project after this resolution is approved. It would be appropriate that if there are particular considerations the Council is interested to study that they be raised prior to the work being completed. There is time to consider those but is something to begin thinking in greater detail as the project design progresses. Staff has begun working on some of these items following last Council meeting.
Alternative Options:
Provide direction for additional information prior to action.
Financial Impacts:
The financial information is included in the presentation materials along with a detail cost estimate of this conceptual design phase of the project. I have included a memo from Nick Anhut of Ehlers & Associates who provided an evaluation of several financing options. Additionally, there is a more detailed project cost estimate as well as a preliminary bond run for illustrative purposes.
Tentative Timelines:
The future project timelines as of January 10, 2017 are included in the attachments.