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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, December 12, 2011 <br /> Page 22 <br /> minor revisions included site access, with the parking lots of City Hall and the <br /> Fire Station now connected to address public access with addition of a speed <br /> bump and appropriate signage; revisions to address concerns about the width of <br /> the apparatus bay on Lexington Avenue and a divider at the front tower to reduce <br /> the length of the open curb cut; and pending designs for potential on-site storm <br /> water retention above ground for more cost efficiencies. Mr. Hutson further noted <br /> improvements to the front tower on the southeast perspective with a higher level <br /> of exterior materials, and changes to the cell tower fencing on the northwest per- <br /> spective, as well as increased windows in the conference room area and presenta- <br /> tion wall. Mr. Hutson opined that these minor changes would still allow the pro- <br /> ject to remain within the preliminary budget target. <br /> Mayor Roe asked for a response to several other questions brought forward over <br /> the last few meetings, including: <br /> 1) Whether Fire Department meeting space was available for use by other <br /> public groups if a space shortage existed at City Hall; and <br /> 2) Access issues and/or duplication of Police Department exercise facili- <br /> ties. <br /> While open to making the project work for the best interest of the City of Rose- <br /> ville, Fire Chief O'Neill advised that the primary goal was to provide sufficient <br /> training space available for Fire Department staff and firefighters to be able to ac- <br /> cess training and fitness space to meet their schedule and shift requirements while <br /> ensuring the security of the building. For the training room as proposed, Chief <br /> O'Neill advised that this would require two (2) opportunities daily for firefighters <br /> based on their shifts, and would depend on call volumes and other activities dur- <br /> ing those particular shifts, in addition to logistical issues along the way. Chief <br /> O'Neill reiterated his concern that the first and foremost goal was to reserve space <br /> for firefighter training only or as a first priority. Related to the fitness area, Chief <br /> O'Neill advised that the space had been scaled for 2-3 users in that room at any <br /> given time, while again ensuring the security of the building. Chief O'Neill noted <br /> that this was intended to provide a job benefit for firefighters both on and off duty <br /> at their discretion; and further noted the need to keep firefighters fit as well as to <br /> use this space as a recruitment incentive to maintain sufficient staffing for a <br /> community-based fire department. <br /> At the request of Mayor Roe, City Manager Malinen advised that meeting space <br /> at City Hall and its other facilities was dependent on needs at any given time. Mr. <br /> Malinen advised that staff was currently reviewing parking availability and needs, <br /> another consideration for meeting room use and availability and based on past us- <br /> es. Mr. Malinen noted that parking limitations may create limitations on how <br /> much meeting space could be available at any given time, in addition to the space <br /> needed for employees and customers at City Hall. <br /> Councilmember Willmus also noted that, at this time, forty-two (42) stalls had <br /> been dedicated at the Ice Arena for Park and Ride commuter use; and questioned <br /> the status of that contract and whether that may become available for City Hall <br /> patrons in the near future; and how that may change meeting space availability. <br />