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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20250317 - CC Workshop MinutesHastings, Minnesota City Council Workshop March 17, 2025 The City Council of the City of Hastings, Minnesota met in a workshop on Monday, March 17, 2025,at 5:30 p.m. in the Volunteer Room at the Hastings City Hall, 101 East 4th Street, Hastings, Minnesota. Members Present:Mayor Fasbender, Councilmembers Beck,Haus, Lawrence, Leifeld,and Pemble Members Absent:Councilmember Vihrachoff Staff Present:City Administrator Dan Wietecha Assistant City Administrator Kelly Murtaugh Fire Chief John Townsend Assistant Fire Chief Chris Paulson Mayor Fasbender called the workshop to order at 5:30 pm and welcomed staff and councilmembers to the workshop.Chief Townsend reviewed the earlier discussion with the Public Safety Committee of Council. Townsend provided an overview of the results of the Fire Department study by CNH Architects. One of the NFPA design standards that is part of modern fire departments is creating zones that address the various health and safety needs of firefighters. Another key design element is space for fire training as well as addressing physical and mental health needs of firefighters. Townsend reviewed the existing conditions of the current Fire Station. It was built in 1961and remodeled in 1994. It is a compact urban design with limited opportunities for expansion on the current site. Some of the current concerns include the age of the mechanical, electrical systems as well as the location of the backup generator. There are no carcinogen separation, no exhaust extraction and the fitness area is currently in the apparatus bay. There are no separate decontamination showers. These are all standards recommended for modern best practice in the fire service. The locker room facilities, kitchen, lounge, laundry, training area, and administration offices are challenges currently facing the department. Many of the areas are not located contiguous to other complementary spaces like dining/lounge and kitchen. Standards of Coverage study from a few years ago recommended a minimum of seven firefighters on staff—which is where we are currently. If needed in the future, the department could not expand any further with the existing space nor can it adequately address updated health and safety standards. Townsend presented some options from the study. The first option is to stay on the current footprint and add on by rebuilding all areas except the apparatus bays. This option would co- locate all the dorms, restroom/showers, kitchen/dining, and lounge areas.The cost estimate for this option is just over $22M. The second option is a new build on other property. The design would address all of the zone recommendations for decontamination, equipment space, living spaces and administrative spaces. The cost estimate for this option is just over $31M, plus land acquisition. This information was presented to Fire Department staff, who supported the second option as better for health and safety.While there is interest in resolving the current facility challenges more quickly, most are realistic about a future timeline of several years for a build project. Council discussion on occupancy standards.Council discussion on call times, service area,and how call times are trending and the impact on the options available. Council discussion on finding a desired location that may also house the Police Department in the future.Council expressed general support for a new fire station in a new location. Finding a property that would accommodate a public safety campus for a Police Department to be added later could be a possibility. Council discussion on the importance of recognizing that firefighter health is priority. Council discussion on a sense of support for public safety in the community. Council identified timeframe and funding as two questions that are key for council to wrestle with among the many high-cost projects already underway or planned for the near future. The next steps are to explore specific location options and ways to pay for a facility. ADJOURNMENT Workshop adjourned at 6:46 p.m. __________________________________________________________ Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk