Although several design options have been discussed for a fire hall renovation, the Slayton City Council on Tuesday decided to meet with the full fire department and get their input.
The different designs all have strong points, but according to Slayton City Administrator Josh Malchow, the biggest question – other than cost – is whether an addition to the hall is meant to house people or apparatus.
If apparatus is housed within new construction, the build needs to be storm and fire rated. If the new construction is strictly for people – bathrooms, meeting room, etc. – the construction can be more of a residential style.
One of the options being considered by the city has now been pushed aside because of expense. The council, Malchow said, has decided they have no wish for any renovation/addition to go over $750,000.
After city leaders meet with the firefighters, the conversation regarding renovation will resume.
A discussion regarding a new shelter at Bicentennial Park resulted in authorization to go out for bids, but only after Malchow asks for an architectural redesign. The current draft needs to be altered to move away from an Xcel transformer. The estimate for the shelter is $200,000, which includes bathrooms and a concession area.
A pollinator project proposed by Murray County Pheasants Forever was approved on 34th Street. The site will be cut and baled soon. In the spring an herbicide will be applied, then pollinator seed will be broadcast. The site will be mowed to 8 inches one or two times by Pheasants Forever. The organization is also paying for the seed.
In other city business, the Slayton City Council approved a new 10-year contract for body and squad cams for the Police Department. They also approved the purchase of a new Durango. Cost of the new vehicle is about $10,000 more than allocated, but Malchow said the fund balance will absorb the overage.
Slayton Police Chief Jesse Hoffmann thanked Gillette Curbing for their generous donation of curbing installed at the police department.
