4.2. SR 09-25-2000City of
River MEMORANDUM
Item #4.2.
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Mayor & City Council
Bruce A. West, Fire Chief
September 25, 2000
SUBJECT: Update on Fire Hall Remodeling Plans
During the prior budget meeting of September 6, 2000, discussion was held
regarding the office area remodeling at the fire station. My proposed office
budget and the office remodeling of the upstairs area was discussed and I
presented a proposal to the City Council.
At this time I would like to give you some background information on the
decision made regarding a solution to the problem of additional office space
for the fire inspectors. On September 7, during a fire department incident,
fire personnel discussed proposed locations for additional office space. At that
time, various areas within the fire station were identified, along with the
proposed use of the upstairs area for additional space.
Our fire department members discussed ways we could save taxpayer money
while still addressing the need for additional office and storage space within
the fire station. Numerous ideas for solving the issues of office and storage
space and saving taxpayer dollars were offered.
I would like to update the council on what the fire department believes to be
the ideal situation in solving all three issues. One concern during our
discussions on this office and storage remodeling issue has been our ability to
meet and greet the public entering our fire station from the Jackson Street
front entrance. Noting this concern, our focus entailed remodeling the front
entrance storage area into office space for the fire inspectors. This would
leave the upstairs mezzanine area available to house lockable storage space
for fire department equipment. A wall would be constructed dividing the
mezzanine area in half with one half being open storage and the other half
lockable storage.
With this update of the office remodeling for the fire department, all of the
issues will be addressed from additional office space, lockable storage space,
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone (763) 441-7420 · Fax (763) 441-7425
and saving money from the original estimated cost of $20,000 for this project.
The revised costs, which include doors, computers, storage area wall,
additional electrical equipment, off~ce equipment, additional return air
ventilation, and computer set-up, are estimated to be $9,926.
I would like to thank the firefighters for their input and ingenuity in solving
our problems of storage and office space within the fire station. Through
brainstorming ideas, our fire department has been able to solve the space
issues and still save the taxpayers of the city money. I am very proud of the
input I received from our firefighters on this issue and it shows how working
together as a team can solve issues that face the department. I will be in
attendance at Monday's meeting to respond to any questions or concerns the
council may have on this issue. If you have questions or comments prior to
the meeting, please feel free to call me at (763) 441-4919.