03-12-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2001 • Fire Station Presentation — Continued Jabbour stated that Long Lake believes the money belongs solely to them and Orono should have no ownership of the site, and the Long Lake attorney agrees with them. The ownership issue should be dealt with before the Mn/DOT money issue is settled. Nygard and Sansevere stated they found it difficult to approve the plans when they were not presented with any alternatives to consider, or any evidence that the proposed plan was the best option available. Jabbour stated he regretted that Flint was not present for the discussion. He stated the options available to the Council were to 1) let Long Lake build the station as they see fit, 2) to give them the $680,000 they requested but state the station is not to exceed that amount, and 3) to get a commitment that Orono would be a partner in making sure the plans do not exceed the agreed to amounts. He did not feel that Long Lake should own the station when it would be in Orono. Mayor Peterson stated that she, the mayor of Long Lake, and several staff members would be meeting with a third party consultant about the fire station. She stated that the issues of ownership and the waiver were topmost priorities. . Jabbour suggested passing a resolution stating the Council would endorse the cost discussed at the joint meeting, would work on the ownership issue with Long Lake, and would not allow a building in Orono that Orono does not own in part. White and Sansevere expressed they took issue with being asked to accept a 25% budget increase and make a decision on the spot without knowing if that was truly the best option. Sansevere stated he supported the work Gabriel Jabbour and Mike Bash were doing as the Cities' representatives. Jabbour asked if he could report to the fire chief that Orono would consider the higher proposed cost. The Council agreed they were willing to negotiate. He stated the cities should 1) agree to the proposed building up to 20,000+ s.f., 2) agree on a cost cap and agree to spend less money if possible, 3) agree to joint ownership, 4) agree to work together on the design of the station. Barrett stated that the Mn/DOT money should be put in escrow and unless all three parties agree on its use, the money cannot be spent. Moorse stated that the cost cap of $680,000 would be subject to an ownership agreement being made. He suggested that any money not spent on the station from the cities' contribution to the total cost be put in a fund for the future purchase of equipment. 11