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spaces or additional storage spaces; and (e) no training or de-contamination spaces. The study recommended the fire department construct a new station with adequate space and facilities to last the department for the next fifty years and close Station 4. The study highlighted the new station should be at least three to four acres, able to accommodate six drive thru bays, and include training, support, and administrative offices. The recommended location was between Lexington Ave and Snelling Ave along County Road E. The fire department researched potential locations, and based on its size, location, and current development status, highlighted the property to the north of the Anderson Center as its first choice. A copy of the needs study is available on the City’s website under the proposed station’s webpage (https://www.cityofardenhills.org/1005/Proposed-Fire-Station-Location). Additional information regarding the project and FAQ’s can also be found on the development page. At the direction of the board of directors, the fire department began discussions with Bethel about potentially selling a piece of their property to the fire station. The university was open to selling a piece of their property and hired a real estate consultant to assist them in the negotiations. Following negotiations, a letter of intent (LOI) was reached between the fire department and Bethel, which outlined major points in the deal, and now the department is seeking to move forward with a purchase agreement (see Attachment B). The purchase agreement is being brought forward to the Lake Johanna Board of Directors on May 20, 2020 for discussion and potential direction to have the fire chief move forward. The major points of the Purchase Agreement are: -The fire department will purchase the land for $1,350,000. -The fire department will pay 1/3 or $325,000, whichever is less, of the cost to relocate the current access road for the Anderson Center. -The fire department will have a sixty-day contingency period following the approval of the preliminary plat by the City of Arden Hills and the approval of the access road by the City and the Rice Creek Watershed District. -Bethel will request the City waive its traditional park dedication fees for the fire department proposal. Should a purchase agreement be reached, the cities would be responsible for funding their respective portions of the purchase price and road cost. Generally, the cities fund the fire department’s operating and capital costs based on a formula that is used in the budgeting process; for Arden Hills this currently equates to 25%, with Shoreview and North Oaks being responsible for 61% and 14%, respectively. Based on that formula, Arden Hills would be responsible for $417,000 assuming the purchase price and the maximum amount for the road relocation, which could be less depending on final costs (this does not take into account a potential $300,000 contribution from the fire department’s General Fund which is discussed below). It is worth noting that the fire station is only seeking to acquire the property at this stage, timing of construction for a future station has not been approved by the board of directors or vetted by the three cities. The City represents one vote on the LJFD Board of Directors, there are also representatives from the cities of Shoreview and North Oaks, as well as, the fire department. If the board directs the fire department to sign the purchase agreement, then the process would continue and the fire department would continue with their due diligence of the site.