At the August 7 Paullina City Council meeting Fire Chief Ryan Harper gave a prepared statement to council in an effort to move the project of a suitable fire station forward. Harper spent some time recounting the most recent history of the project since 2021.
Due to a city council story about the city of Paullina and the fire department’s effort to build new, a Paullina native living in Sioux City read the story. Married to an architect employed by a firm specializing in fire stations, Mike Neswick of RML Architects reached out. Neswick presented to council on at least two occasions and included a contract. The then-Council referred the contract with their concerns to City Attorney Tisha Halverson for review and amendments addressing their concerns. Those amendments were accepted by RML Architechts and the then-council imposed additional markers for the fire department to meet. Council required the fire department to obtain the land for the new facility and to raise $250,000.
Fundraising for the facility began in earnest. Lot dimensions are known. That is what the searching has been for.
For the fire department the first goal was to obtain preliminary drawings and costs to advance fundraising.
Harper recounted the department’s effort to purchase property. Due to the delays of council at least two opportunities were lost.
On June 22, 2022 a closed session for the purchase of property was held. According to Harper, individuals did not follow through with tasks to be able to make an announcement at their golf fundraiser. It was at this point, this second land opportunity fell through. Harper described this as “a big defeat.”
Harper stated that new negotiations with new property are underway. Fundraising and good donations are coming in, including an anonymous donation. Harper asked the council to sign the contract. He stated that a signed contract would allow the fire department to refine the plan and continue fundraising. He said costs were necessary to apply for grants.
Harper reported that Neswick has signed the contract and it is in the possession of the attorney.
Councilperson Jay Jones attempted to recount what the council had done in the previous years. Harper was not having it. Ebel Kruse was able to quiet Jones.
Councilperson Jean Unrau said, “I think we need to move on it.” Some discussion was had that the attorney should review the contract and get it signed. Murphy moved and Unrau seconded to authorize the signing of the contract.
Council was ready to direct the signing of the contract when the issue of the wording on the agenda was brought up and did not authorize any decisions. A special meeting date, Wednesday August 9 was suggested and there was complete agreement among council members to hold a special meeting to approve the signing. More discussion about how to accomplish this on that date due to Halverson being out of the country. A plan for signing the contract with RML Architects was set and the discussion moved to narrow street parking.
Fire Chief declined to be involved any further on the effort to determine street parking on narrow streets. His declination of involvement in the study caused the public forum to be not acted upon.