Agenda - Council - 04/14/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Fire Station #2 Questions How does the new proposed Fire Station #2 compare to the City's existing Fire Station #1? Is the proposal for Fire Station #2 excessive? Is the new Fire Station #2 a need versus a want? The City of Ramsey Fire Department currently operates as a paid -on-call service structure. The City does not employ full time firefighters (excluding the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal). The City does not intend to deviate from this model now or into the future. When the City completed a space needs analysis in 2006, and a preliminary design in 2013, the new proposed Fire Station #2 was designed as a paid -on-call station. As a result, Fire Station #2 does not include additional space for full-time firefighters (i.e. sleeping space, etc.). What is unique about the station is the inclusion of a satellite location for the City's Police Department and a satellite location for an Allina Emergency Ambulance. Inclusion of both services will reduce emergency response times and the increase effectiveness/efficiency of the City's police services to greater Ramsey (i.e. eliminate the need for Police Officers to drive back to City Hall routinely). Additionally, the Fire Station #2 will serve as the "back-up" Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for the City of Ramsey. This proposed station includes a small conference room (for EOC purposes); and will also be available for use by the community (non-profit groups and residents). The conference room in Fire Station #2 is smaller than Fire Station #1. Attached to this case is a "comparison" of Fire Station #1 and the new proposed Fire Station #2. It should be noted: based on the 2006 space needs analysis for Fire Station #2, it was determined, utilizing the existing municipal center site was not a feasible or practical long term solution. Fire Station #2 was designed to be "right -sized" and an efficient facility. It is built to effectively deliver the service needs of the community now and into the future. Why was construction administration increased from preliminary design to final design? How will this benefit the City? Staff has requested additional oversight of this project by BKV Group to ensure quality construction of a multi-million dollar permanent/prominent community facility, to increase efficiencies of the construction process, to improve communications during construction between staff -general contractor -architect -City Council, increase oversight of general contractor, and to attempt reducing/eliminating construction issues. More specifically, BKV Groups' site visits and communications to City staff will be doubled from 1x every two weeks to 1x every week. The original proposal by BKV Group was $34,000. The adjusted (increased) price for this service is now $50,000.