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Councilmember Haas Steffen commented that the CIP was not approved, however, she felt it important to negotiate for land now as the cost will only go up. She added that she would be reluctant to approve the billing at this point. Chief Kapler pointed out that one thing we have to keep in mind is the City's responsibility to provide fire coverage for all developments. The more we let this slip back, the more we are behind. If the plan is to construct the station in 1999, staff feels we need to get moving on the land negotiations. Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Mayor Gamec to recommend Council authorize staff to begin negotiations with landowner(s) for the purchase of the property on which to construct fire station #2. Further discussion: Chief Kapler stated that one issue he cannot express enough is that the City currently has one class A-rated pumper. We are in mutual aid that says we have to send this out if we get called. We have had a second pumper in the budget for three years and nowhere to put it. We need to look at this. That's an issue we cannot put on the back burner for long. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Beyer, Beahen, Haas Steffen and Zimmerman. Voting No: None. Case #6: Approve Budget Amendment for the Purchase of Land for Senior Housing Development Finance Officer Lund stated that the City is in the process of acquiring land known as the "Law property" for the future site of the senior housing development. This will be funded through the sale of tax increment and HRA bonds, but the land itself, will be acquired through the City's funds on hand. Appraisals have shown that the land will cost approximately $250,000. The City has two funds that would be suitable, and would have the necessary dollars available, to complete the land purchase. Ms. Lund pointed out that the funds are the Public Facilities Construction Fund which can be used for the acquisition of land and construction of public facilities, and the Highway #47 Fund, which was created solely to account for the expenses associated with the Highway #47 project. The Highway #47 Fund was the fund designated to receive the 1997 year-end excess revenues, in which an amount of $731,943 was transferred at year-end. She explained that after the year-end transfer was completed, it was determined that the Highway #47 project would be more suitably funded through tax increment and MSA funds as these dollars were more restrictive of their use and which the Highway #47 project qualifies. Currently $517,055 remains of the excess revenue transfer, as $90,070 was transferred for mid-year budget amendments and $124,8918 will remain to fund Highway #47. By allowing the transfer of $125,000 from each of the Public Facilities Construction Fund and the Highway #47 fund, the City would be able to fund the purchase price of the land for the senior housing. Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that $2.6 million is the City's share of the cost for T.H. #47 and we are not through yet. She wondered why we are not taking it all out of the Public Facilities Fund. The fund could then be replenished if there is money left over. Finance Committee/November 24, 1998 Page 4 of 6