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Like neighboring communities, West St. Paul faces serious facility needs for the fire station, police station, and city hall. Council will discuss commissioning an initial study to explore options, feasibility, and costs.
Facilities Planning
During the Open Council Work Session (OCWS), Council will consider hiring an architect for a facilities system plan to address the need for the fire station, police station, and city hall.
- Why: All three buildings are seriously out of space and outdated. The fire station alone is short 31,000 square feet, and is looking at needing four acres of space on 1.55 acres. The outdated space doesn’t meet current safety standards, creating unsafe conditions for firefighters and challenges for the police with some of their legally mandated duties. Employees raise the issue unprompted, highlighting how urgent it is.
- What: This is an early study to explore options and feasibility before committing to anything. This is not building plans, but evaluating locations and options to see what’s possible.
- Cost: It’s too early to know, especially without knowing the specific plan, but with about $8 million in bond payments expiring between 2030-2035, an optimistic take sees a close to neutral impact on property taxes. A more realistic impact is a one year spike in property taxes.
- Context: West St. Paul isn’t alone in facing facilities needs, though plans in Inver Grove Heights and Mendota Heights have drawn significant pushback from their communities.
- Timeline: The report would be due to Council in December when they would make a decision about a path forward.
Other Items on the Agenda
- Delaware: Dakota County will share about the upcoming Delaware Avenue reconstruction project during the OCWS.
- Public hearing: Council will hold a final assessment hearing for Robert Street sidewalk snow removal.
- Salary: In a procedural necessity, Council will consider an ordinance change that sets their salaries for 2027 and 2028 at the same rate as 2026 after a proposed increase failed.
- Procedure: During the OCWS, Council will discuss a procedural item about how Council members can raise items for discussion.
- Introduction: New South Metro Fire Chief Mike Nelson will introduce himself during the OCWS.
- Recognitions: Council will proclaim June to be Pride Month and recognize the 100th birthday of resident Marcelle Diedrich.
Engage
- Watch: The public can watch the meeting live on Town Square TV or cable TV starting at 6:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. for the OCWS) on Tuesday.
- Learn more: Guide to West St. Paul City Council.
These West St. Paul City Council previews happen with the support of our members. Local news is a group effort, and we couldn’t do it without them.
