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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7C Fire Station No. 2 Report 16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E. Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: June 5,2006 7C Frank Boyles, City Manager AGENDA ITEM: Fire Station No.2 Site Evaluation, Needs Analysis Report, Aerial Platform Truck and Preliminary Budget DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose of this report is to share with the City Council and the public the results of the Site Evaluation and Needs Assessment Report prepared by BKV Group (Boarmann, Kroos, Vogel); as well as information about an aerial platform truck and a Preliminary Budget Historv In 1995, BKV Group prepared a fire station study for the City to identify the number and approximate location of fire stations necessary to serve the City at build out. In 1995, Fire Station No. 1 was built in the location identified by the initial study. In 1997, BKV Group updated the study incorporating new growth assumptions. They concluded at that time that three stations would be needed to serve the City. To complete their study, BKV Group evaluated the geographic area to be served, access to arterial streets, future growth projections, natural and artificial barriers and land availability. Shown below is a comparison of the changes in each category between 1997 and 2006: . Geographic urban service area increased from 16.5 square miles to 18.5 square miles. . CSAH 21 is completed to 135 and is scheduled to be completed northerly to 169 by 2009. . Population increased from 12,800 to 23,000. . Dwelling units increased from 4,000 to 7,000. . Commercial/Industrial value increased from $19 million to $74 million. . Annual growth projected at 240 units a year while actual growth is 440 units a year. . Residential units have shifted from 20 percent SFA (Single Family Attached) to 50 percent SFA. . Annual fire department calls continue in excess of 1,000 per year. Current Circumstances In short, by 2006, development of Prior Lake exceeded the 1997 development projections as contained in the BKV Group studies. Since the 1997 study, 14 subdivisions have been developed (many in the area west of CSAH 21). More www.cityofpriorlake.com 'F~OTS\200e\Fife Stambrl& 9~.~0 / Fax 952.447.4245 recently, preliminary plats have been issued to significant developments such as Jeffers Waterfront and Shepherd's Path, both of which will be in the service area of Fire Station NO.2. Recognizing the need for the second fire station, the City's five-year Capital Improvement Program has contained a line item for land (1996, 1997) and a line item for the station itself in every year from 1998 through 2006. In January 2006, the City Council established a Fire Station NO.2 Committee which includes two City Council representatives, four fire department representatives and four staff members. Since its establishment, the committee has met numerous times to assist the architect in the completion of the Fire Station Location Study, Fire Station Needs Assessment and Preliminary Budget. BKV Group completed the two studies which are attached. David Kroos will review the results of the studies (copies of which were included in your packets). The basic conclusions from the studies are as follows: Fire Station No. 2 Site Evaluation Two station sites have been identified in the Jeffers Waterfront project. Both are west of CSAH 21, one immediately north of Fountain Hills Drive and the other immediately south. · The south site is better as it involves right-hand outbound turns rather than left turns. · The south site is better as it is rectangular rather than triangular. · Either site is considered outstanding as they will considerably improve response time to three minutes in a geographic area generally south to Lords Street, north into Shakopee, west to Marschall Road and east to Greenway. The five-minute response time area extends considerably south of CSAH 82. With the two stations, virtually all of existinq Prior Lake (with minor exceptions in the annexation area) will receive three- to five- minute response times. · The Site Location Study strongly supports site two in Jeffers Waterfront. The City's engineering department is working with Wensmann's engineers to specifically identify the site to be platted and conveyed to the City. Fire Station NO.2 Needs Assessment Stud'i · Three 22' X 82' equipment bays are to be included. · The primary rooms in the station include two offices, conference/training, hose drying tower, break room, restrooms/lockers and storage/specialty rooms (SCBA). · The break room and half of one bay will be leased by Allina Ambulance to improve ambulance service in this area and throughout Prior Lake. · One room will be available to the police department for improved convenience in meeting with residents in northwest Prior Lake. · The footprint of the building is estimated at 9,770 square feet. · A mezzanine (estimated at half the cost of first floor space) of 1,500 square feet will be included in the station. Aerial Platform Truck For many of the same reasons justifying Fire Station No.2, an aerial platform truck has been included in the City's Capital Improvement Program for the last five years. An aerial platform truck is like a ladder truck in that it extends to reach vertical and horizontal surfaces. The significant difference is that the aerial platform has a box at the end of the ladder. The box can carry victims, firefighters, life- saving or fire-fighting equipment 100 feet vertically or horizontally as needed. A ladder truck, by contrast, requires the firefighter to climb up or down to get to the scene and carry equipment or victims as the case may be. The need for the aerial platform can be divided into two categories: current and future community needs, and condition of the existing ladder truck. Over the last decade, we have added a considerable number of multi-family, educational and commercial buildings. Keystone, Lakefront Plaza, Creekside Commons and Bluff Heights are examples. These buildings are a minimum of three stories high and they are considerably wider and longer than a single- family house. Additional multi-family structures are planned for Deerfield, Shepherd's Path and Jeffers Pond, to name a few. While it is true that these structures are sprinkled, the sprinkler systems cannot perform rescue operations that can be needed on any floor. Also important is the fact that townhomes and single-family homes have increased in number and size throughout the community. The roof pitch on single-family homes now precludes the ability of firefighters to attack the fire from the roof. Many of these homes are approachable from only one side, especially large lake homes or dwelling units on less than level terrain. Here, too, the aerial platform allows firefighters to "extend their reach" vertically and horizontally to better attack fires or effectuate rescue. As Prior Lake continues to grow, the above need will become more pronounced. The condition of the existing ladder truck is a second reason for acquiring the aerial platform. The existing truck is a 70-foot ladder truck that is 21 years old. The fundamental flaw with the truck is that it relies upon firefighters or victims to climb up or down to safety, which is often unrealistic and simply unsafe. While the truck has served us capably, we are finding its dependability is diminished and annual repair costs are going up. At a recent fire, the ladder could not be retracted for redeployment and storage. The "jump seats" no longer conform to either OSHA or NFPA standards. This means that only half the crew needed to deploy the equipment can ride in it to and from the fire scene. The others must find alternate transportation. Finally, the 70-foot ladder length does not have the "reach" to serve our expanded building size. Preliminarv Budaet · Fire station projects completed from 1991 until 2003 were surveyed. Based upon satellite station costs, a $200 per square foot cost is expected for the new station. · Based upon the above assumptions, the estimated fire station cost is $2,800,000. · As part of the project, the City's 21-year old LaFrance aerial ladder truck is to be replaced with a 1 DO-foot aerial platform truck estimated to cost $900,000. (The LaFrance would be retained as its usable value exceeds its trade-in value.) . Accordingly, the total estimated cost of the project would be $3,700,000. . A referendum is contemplated to build the station including purchase of the aerial platform. The bonds would be paid over 20 years so both existing and new residents pay their fair share for the safety improvements attendant with this facility. It is estimated that the referendum impact upon the average taxpayer will be less than $2.50 per month or less than $30 per year on a residential property valued at $300,000. Conclusion David Kroos, of BKV Group, will review the salient aspects of these reports and respond to questions council members may have. ISSUES: The fire station and aerial platform truck project suggest a number of issues for the Council to consider. 1. The SMSC has a station in the same area. Why not rely on that? With more than 20,000 customers visiting them daily, the SMSC fire and ambulance services has its hands full serving a city the present size of Prior Lake. The SMSC initiated its own fire and ambulance service to provide a higher level of service to its community and customers. Frequently casino customers, who disproportionately tend to be susceptible, have need for fire or ambulance personnel. Such service can be quickly delivered by the SMSC. In the case of fire, its equipment meets its needs for the three hotel towers and the 200,000 square-foot casino, as well as its other diverse and ever- growing businesses. The SMSC has made it clear that it wants to cooperate in mutual aid situations, but it does not appear to be interested in being the fire station for Prior Lake as it would portend changes in service levels and increased costs in personnel, equipment, training and the like. Considering the growth that both the SMSC and the City expect over time, and the potential for change in governmental positions for both entities over time, it would be unwise to rely exclusively upon the SMSC. 2. What benefits do Prior Lake citizens receive from a second station? Assuming that personnel receive proper training, tools and vehicles, the single most important variable in fire fighting and rescue is time - how fast we can get help to the victim. With the addition of this station, average response time of over eight minutes should be a thing of the past. BKV Group estimates that with the new station, the vast majority of Prior Lake will enjoy three- to five-minute response time. Speed is important because fire grows exponentially, doubling upon itself over time. Equally important is the fact that ambulance response time and coverage will improve as Allina intends to locate an ambulance in this fire station. For serious injury, the added speed will improve patient's prospects for recovery. The station will also provide modest meeting room space for police officers to meet the public close to home. As we look to the future, this site is well placed considering the children attending Jeffers Pond Elementary, the seniors at Shepherd's Path and the many shoppers and employees who will be drawn to the commercial areas yet to be developed on the Jeffers and Vierling properties just to name a few. Another eye to the future is the desire to retain a volunteer fire department. With current annual costs around $600,000 rather than the comparable $2 million cost of a staffed fire department, the annual savings of a volunteer fire department offsets the costs of building in just a short while. Providing the proper equipment and facilities that assures fire fighter safety and effectiveness allows us to continue to recruit and retain volunteer firefighters. 3. How much will the station and aerial platform truck cost? A survey of the construction costs of other basic fire stations suggests that $200 per square foot is a responsible estimate. Given the anticipated size of the station (11,000 square feet), the total cost would be $2.8 million. The aerial platform truck is estimated at $900,000 for a total cost of $3.7 million. Financed over a period of 20 years, the annual cost for a home valued at $300,000 will be less than $30. Financing over 20 years allows both current and future residents to pay for these city-wide amenities. If the City continues to develop as projected, the annual cost per household should be reduced in future years. Steps are being taken to reduce the overall cost. · Wensmann voluntarily donated the land to the City outside of any legal requirements saving taxpayers in the vicinity of $300,000. · Allina is expected to lease space in the facility which will supplement both capital and operating funds. · The size of the station was minimized. Rooms will be shared rather than be the exclusive domain of one party or another. 4. What is the process? While the process is outside of the purview of this report, it deserves some attention. It is the staff's recommendation that the funds for the fire station and the aerial platform truck be financed through a public referendum. The referendum process is called for by statute for this sort of project. It is also recommended that a series of town meetings be conducted to ~)CC FINANCIAL IMPACT: ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: help the public educate themselves. Fire fighters can supplement these efforts by meeting with the public and distributing information. This process will provide the public with the opportunity to express their opinion on the topic. The staff would propose that the referendum be conducted on the date of the Primary, which is scheduled for Tuesday, September 12, 2006. The purpose of this report is to apprise the Council on this topic. No action is expected this evening beyond receiving the report. An action item is to be placed on the June 26 agenda. Fire Station No. 2 would serve Prior Lake north of the lakes, while the aerial platform truck will serve the entire community providing better response times for fire, ambulance and police vehicles at an annual taxpayer cost of under $30 for a residential property valued at $300,000. 1. Accept the Site Location and Needs Assessment reports and preliminary budget, and authorize a referendum and three town meetings to garner input on the matter. 2. Take no action and direct the staff to prepare additional information. Alternative #1.