In a special meeting Thursday, July 30, the Crosslake City Council discussed a report from the League of Minnesota Cities on the moisture damage at the Crosslake Emergency Services Center.
Black mold within some of the walls has forced the city’s fire department to work out of the garage area.
Council member Dave Schrupp questioned whether it makes more sense to construct a new fire hall, as opposed to remodeling the current building, and said the city should have an “absolute limit” on funds spent remodeling the building.
“I just think that, when we get done here, we are going to have over $3 million into this building … It’s a waste of money to put that much into an old building that has been nothing but problems,” Schrupp said.
Council member John Andrews said the council must prioritize the health and safety of city employees, and suggested the public have input on the project.
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The council ultimately voted to request from Hy-Tec Construction - who is currently working to remodel the building - the best estimated cost for the fire hall remodel project, including the most recent findings from the moisture damage review, as well as an estimated “life expectancy” of the remodeled building.
They also requested from Hy-Tec and Widseth engineering firm the best estimated cost for the engineering and construction of a new fire hall, and directed City Administrator Mike Lyonais to prepare financial information on how either building would be paid for.
In other action, the council approved an extension request from DeChantal Excavating for the Manhattan Point Boulevard water quality project due to issues dewatering the area. The council shifted the deadline from July 31 to Aug. 31.
Mayor Dave Nevin attended the meeting online via Zoom.
Dan Determan may be reached at 218-855-5879 or dan.determan@pineandlakes.com. Follow him on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Dan.
