Special Meeting (Minutes)

The Kasson Township Board convened a special meeting on August 28, 2024, to discuss the potential construction of a new fire station. The meeting began with public comments expressing concerns about the impact on the four township agreement and the cost of fire protection. Ray Kendra from Environment Architects presented the initial steps for the design process, emphasizing the need for a programming document to address design phase questions. The board approved a contract with Environment Architects to move forward with the pre-design process, which will include initial renderings and design exploration. The timeline for the design process is contingent on identifying a funding source, and no construction timeframe has been set yet. The board also discussed the importance of site selection, with a preference for a level property.

The meeting continued with discussions on the location of the proposed fire station. Two potential sites were considered: one on M-72 and another on Burdickville Road. The Noonan family offered to donate land on M-72 at Maple City Road, but a motion to approve this property failed due to lack of a second. The board emphasized the need for better coverage on the western side of the service area, particularly along the M-72 corridor, which has seen significant development and critical incidents. The service area assessment indicated that M-72 is where the most need for improved response times exists, and mutual aid agreements may not significantly decrease response times due to distance from regional stations. The board agreed to work with the Fire Chief to explore options for reaching out to other townships and jurisdictions for potential agreements on staffing or coverage.

Public comments highlighted the importance of location and the potential benefits of a new station on the western side of Kasson Township. Concerns were raised about the financial implications and the potential impact on the four township agreement. The board acknowledged the need for preliminary design drawings to facilitate discussions with other townships. The meeting concluded with a consensus to continue the process, with the next meeting tentatively scheduled for September 25 at 6 p.m. The board will work with the Fire Chief to develop a list of needs for the new station, which will be reviewed at the upcoming meeting before any conceptual renderings are started.