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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, September 12, 2011 <br /> Page 17 <br /> Chief O'Neill responded affirmatively, advising that this was the exiting part of <br /> the project for the Fire Department to ensure buy-in from the public and commu- <br /> nity; noting that it was their station, and advised that the first of many events <br /> would include a farewell to the existing Station No. 1 prior to its demolition, with <br /> former and retired firefighters invited,,with those plans under the auspices of the <br /> Committee, whose role over the last fourteen (14) months has been to continue <br /> making sure that a new facility fit well within the needs and preferences of the <br /> community. <br /> Councilmember McGehee questioned the current use of Fire Station No. 1; with <br /> Chief O'Neill advising that other than using the apparatus bay portion for fire- <br /> fighters, the mold was too extensive to want too much exposure. <br /> In response to other space allotment questions of Councilmember McGehee, <br /> Mayor Roe referred her to that information already provided in documents from <br /> the Study and Advisory groups. <br /> Johnson moved, Willmus seconded, authorizing the City Manager and Fire De- <br /> partment to begin the process of issuing "Capital Improvement Bonds" in an <br /> amount not to exceed $8 million; for the purpose of building a new fire state; and <br /> directing staff to schedule a public hearing and provide public notice in accor- <br /> dance with requirements pertaining to the issuance of "Capital Improvement <br /> Bonds." <br /> Councilmember Johnson offered his respect for the opinions expressed by Coun- <br /> cilmembers Pust and McGehee. However, Councilmember Johnson advised that <br /> fundamentally, he was looking at this from a different perspective, noting that this <br /> story was much the same as that heard several weeks ago for the Parks Abatement <br /> Bond request, representing another victim of underfunding by the City over the <br /> last 20-25 years and funds not being allocated to the Fire Department and Parks <br /> and Recreation capital needs. As a comparison, Councilmember Johnson noted <br /> that he would not seek a referendum to repair the City's roads or infrastructure; <br /> and he saw no need for this request to require voter approval, since it was im- <br /> proving or replacing an existing facility, but simply maintaining what the City al- <br /> ready had. Councilmember Johnson opined that geothermal was not an issue, as <br /> it already existing on campus; and further opined that the City Hall campus was a <br /> good location for this central station; and he supported a unified City campus with <br /> a Fire station. Councilmember Johnson opined that the status quo in Roseville for <br /> too long has not been to properly support its Capital Improvement Program (CIP): <br /> and that, as we go forward, it was up to the current City Council to challenge that <br /> status quo, further opining that this was exactly how the City was proceeding. <br /> Councilmember Johnson recognized that, yes, it was costly, but it was their re- <br /> sponsibility to take care of what they had; and he was taking that challenge in <br /> doing that. Councilmember Johnson thanked those in the audience for their at- <br /> tendance to show their support for this request. <br />