Laserfiche WebLink
Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 24,2011 <br /> Page 24 <br /> while she was asked to approve an $8 million bond without a concept being <br /> brought forward for that decision-making. Councilmember McGehee questioned <br /> the need for the amount of square footage suggested; as well as the need for exer- <br /> cise and/or training rooms, when the City's Police Department already had those <br /> facilities. Councilmember McGehee opined that there were many options that <br /> hadn't been presented; and while she supported the need for a fire station in gen- <br /> eral; she also supported a referendum to allow more citizen involvement and to <br /> provide more focused though for the plan. <br /> Councilmember Willmus spoke against the motion to not proceed, based on simi- <br /> lar rationale as expressed by Councilmembers Pust and McGhee, but from a dif- <br /> ferent perspective and on the opposite side. <br /> Councilmember Willmus noted that the needs of the community had been taken <br /> into account in actions by the City Council to-date moving forward over the next <br /> decade, since those needs had not been adequately addressed in the previous dec- <br /> ade, putting the City in its current position. Councilmember Willmus noted the <br /> Master Plan process itself and the significant number of citizens involved in that <br /> process; the parks-specific community survey and feedback obtained from citi- <br /> zens; and the response of those charged with paring down that data into a series of <br /> phases for implementation in what he opined was brought forward in an incredi- <br /> bly responsible manner and process. Councilmember Willmus noted that the <br /> overall Parks Master Plan implementation dollar amount was significantly higher <br /> than the proposed first implementation phase of$19 million; and could not sup- <br /> port those subsequent phases without a voter referendum. However, for this first <br /> phase, Councilmember Willmus advised that he was supportive to get the park <br /> system back to a viable, usable system; something that was incredibly important <br /> to him personally, and a great number of residents in the community. <br /> Similarly with the fire station, Councilmember Willmus advised that this pro- <br /> posed facility provided a great model moving forward for the Fire Department; <br /> and opined that it was incumbent of this City Council to make these hard choices <br /> and do what is right; and reiterated his intent to vote against the motion currently <br /> on the table. <br /> Johnson moved, Pust seconded, moved to extend the meeting curfew until 10:15 p.m. to finish <br /> discussion of this item. <br /> Roll Call <br /> Ayes: McGehee; Willmus; Johnson; Pust; and Roe. <br /> Nays: None. <br /> Councilmember Johnson elected to offer no comment on this motion. <br />