Fire dept. concerned about Hwy. 30 site
February 04, 2010 · Matthew Brown

Mount Vernon Fire Department leaders told the city council Monday they're concerned about the possibility of a new station near the Hwys. 30 and 1 intersection.

Their comments followed a presentation to the council by city staff that outlines action steps on the fire station issue. Acting on the findings of a report from a site selection work group submitted to council last month, city engineer Dan Boggs and city administrator Mike Beimer submitted a memo outlining a process for moving forward. The results of a space needs analysis and preliminary cost estimates for two recommended site locations could be to the city council by June 7.

Linn Fire District No. 1 trustee Russ Hotz and Mount Vernon fire chief Dan Gaines, two members of a work group that helped to select and weigh criteria as part of a consultant-driven site selection process, openly questioned some of the findings.

Their specific concerns centered on access to a location in the southeast corner of Hwys. 30 and 1. This was one of two sites recommended by the work group's findings, whose members included Mount Vernon mayor Paul Tuerler, city staff and representatives from the fire department and Linn Fire District No. 1.

The other site recommended by the group for further analysis is the Niederhauser property near the intersection of Second Avenue S.W. and Palisades Road.

Firefighters in the past have supported expansion of the existing station uptown. That was not a preferred site based on the analysis of the consultant, Bill Cary of Shive-Hattery.

The plan that city staff outlined includes soliciting qualifications from a variety of firms relating to performing "a space needs analysis, budget costs, and two site comparisons for the construction of a new fire station." The memo indicates that the qualifications will be reviewed by an unspecified committee that will recommend a firm to council for approval by April 5. Findings are scheduled to be returned to council for consideration by June 7.

Hotz and Gaines both expressed concerns about moving forward with preliminary plans for a location south of Hwy. 30. Former council member Jim Moore also expressed concerns about the location. He summarized access limitations as "one way in, one way out."

An open house style public information session about the work group's findings, as well as a public hearing dedicated to the work group findings, have been suggested by council but have not yet been scheduled. The public comments Monday represented the first public feedback to the group's findings that the council has allowed.

Council members expressed shock that two members of the work group were raising concerns.

Council member Scott Peterson said he "struggled" with the reactions as he thought it had been a "consensus decision" on the two preferred sites.

Council member and mayor pro tem Diane Hoffmann, who presided over the council meeting in the absence of Tuerler, described reconsideration of possible sites as a "step backward."

Council member Marty Christensen said that "somebody needs to accept the (workgroup's) results and give them their blessing."

The staff memo was presented as informational and required no action from council.

Christensen recommended that when the two sites are compared by the consultant that they take into consideration the concerns about access to a site near Hwy. 30.

Boggs said he'll make consultants aware of that.

Hotz said that he "agrees 100 percent" with Christensen's "solution," adding "I think that's all it boiled down to."