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Councilmember Pearson asked how many people request sprinklers when purchasing <br />townhomes. <br /> <br />Mr. Schulte replied there are some cases, but they are very rare. Most people are more concerned <br />about the payment. He indicated some of the cities have phased these requirements in. <br />Regarding insurance savings, the cost to put the sprinkler system in will be approximately <br />$4,000, and a six percent mortgage will require a payment of $240 per year. This would at least <br />double what would be saved on insurance. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Kapler stated he does not think any of them walked into their home <br />planning on having a devastating fire. This is being brought forward to the Council because it <br />would be an investment in the community. <br /> <br />Councihnember Elvig stated he is not in a position where he is trying to talk anyone out of this, <br />he is just very concerned. Most of the people he has spoken with have given him costs higher <br />than thc l ½ to 2 percent for installation, and they need to consider what impacts that may have <br />on something that is already put in place, such as in Town Center. With that being said, he <br />cannot agree more about safety issues with a fire. He asked if there are options that can be <br />looked at. <br /> <br />Fire Code Inspector Streich explained option two, which addresses the 16 units, focuses on <br />apartment complexes or anything three stories or greater, which they do not have in Ramsey. <br />When contacting other cities about this he was told that people continued to build because the <br />land is there and the city is building, and there was no change. <br /> <br />Cmmcihnember Elvig indicated he is not sure if he is willing to take the risk of losing <br />development. <br /> <br />Councihnember Strommen noted in regards to Councihnember Elvig's concerns with Town <br />Center, D.R. Horton is already planning on putting in sprinklers and they have 65 percent of that <br />area. <br /> <br />Councihnember Elvig stated if the City runs a level playing field with the surrounding <br />communities that are developing similarly to them there should not be a problem. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec questioned if a home in an area like Northfork, which does not have sewer and <br />water available, would have to put in a system like Diamonds did or have the system available to <br />plug into. <br /> <br />Fire Code Inspector Streich replied an exemption is possible. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec noted the consensus seems to move forward with this. If the ordinance is <br />introduced there may be more feedback received, and the ordinance does not need to be adopted <br />within 30 days. With the higher density that is coming, now would be the time to adopt this. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session/May 25, 2004 <br /> Page 4 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />