Summary
The Kasson Township Board held a special meeting on April 28, 2025, focused entirely on planning for a new fire station. Supervisor Julian called the meeting to order at 9:00 am with all members present. Ray Kendra (Environmental Architects) and Andy Doornbos (CAFR Fire Chief) presented conceptual drawings and discussed the design and funding process. The Board agreed to move forward simultaneously on design development, funding research, and public outreach. The meeting adjourned at 10:02 am on a motion by J. Carter, seconded by Noonan, passing 5-0.
Public Comments
During discussion, several residents raised questions. Chris Hauke asked that public meeting space be separated from crew space; Doornbos and Julian confirmed this would be the case, with the Fire Board setting rules for use of public meeting spaces. Don Drabik asked about a maintenance room; Doornbos said there is no dedicated room but a planned maintenance area within the equipment bays to allow more in-house maintenance. Bill Roush asked about potential for future expansion; Kendra noted the 5-acre property has ample room for expanding equipment bays and training/meeting space, and that living quarters are being designed larger than currently needed to accommodate department growth. No comments were made during the formal Board Comment or Public Comment periods.
Infrastructure Projects
The primary topic was construction of a new fire station. Kendra summarized conceptual drawings previously shown to the Board and outlined a timeline of roughly 30 days for design development followed by 45–60 days for construction design, with bidding to occur only once funding is secured. The building will be primarily fabricated metal with metal siding and a metal or shingle roof, as masonry costs have become prohibitively expensive; a masonry or stone base may still be used on part or all of the building. Alternative bids will be sought to compare cost options. Soil studies and well/septic siting have not yet begun. Julian and Doornbos will meet with Kendra to refine the conceptual drawings, and Kendra will draft a contract for the next design phase. The Board plans to hold public open houses in June, with further discussion at the May board meeting.
Financial Summary
Boomer and Julian have submitted a state appropriations request to Representative Coffia's office, with a follow-up request pending to Senator Damoose's office; a response may not come until September. Yoder and Julian are exploring federal appropriations requests, though large grants from either state or federal sources appear unlikely. Hiring a grant writer was discussed as an option, though it would carry a cost. If state funding is denied or only partially approved, a bond or loan funded by a millage is considered the next likely option. A single-issue election could be held as early as November 2025, at the township's expense, while the next funded election date would be August 2026. Kendra noted construction costs are expected to rise about 10% per year, making an earlier election financially preferable to waiting until 2026.
Action Items
- Julian and Doornbos to meet with Kendra on revised conceptual drawings.
- Kendra to draft a contract for the next design phase.
- Board to discuss public open houses (planned for June) further at the May meeting.
- Julian to research steps for pursuing a potential bond.
- Boomer to research election costs and draft potential millage language for a loan or bond.
- Boomer and Julian to continue following up on state and federal appropriations requests.