City of Roseville Proceeding With New Fire Station Project

In an unanimous vote this week, the Roseville Council has authorized the fire department to seek $5.5 million in bids from contractors on the construction of the interior and exterior of the new station.

Bids will go out in the coming days and a council decision on the station contractor is expected in early June.

The Council's vote Monday night came after the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed a district court decision dismissing a citizens' lawsuit trying to block the project. The citizens' group known as Responsible Governance For Roseville (RGR)  contended the fire station project should be subject to a residents referendum.

But Appeals Court Judge Thomas Kalitowski  said the district court was justified in dismissing the lawsuit because the citizens' group failed to post a surety bond in the dispute.

In an interview with Roseville Patch, City Mayor Dan Roe said the appeals court ruling had cleared the way for the city to proceed with the fire station project. And with the bid process, the city has enough time to wait and see if the citizen group attempts one more appeal, he said.

"We are pleased with the affirmation of the original ruling," Roe said. "It demonstrates we have the authority to issue the bonds (for the fire station). 

But Joy Anderson, a representative for RGR, said Thursday (April 26) she was disappointed with the Appeals Court decision.

As a grassroots organization, RGR didn't have the money to post a $670,000 surety bond in the litigation, Anderson said.  "If the little guy doesn't have money, he doesn't get his day in court," she said, adding that her group hasn't decided whether it would make any further appeal. 

In the meantime, plans continue for the new 32,000 to 36,000 square-foot fire station. Construction for it is planned at the site of an old fire station that was just north of the City Hall campus, 2660 Civic Center Drive.

The city's plan is to consolidate its three fire station buildings all under one roof. The city last winter tore down Fire Station No. 1, saying it had mold problems and was inadequate fore the department's current needs.

In November, . On Dec. 9, the group filed an appeal, which delayed the signing of the contract with the bonder.

At the Council's April 16 meeting, city manager Bill Malinen said that if the lawsuit delayed the project past the summer 2012 construction season, the cost of the new fire station would increase by 12 percent, or about $1 million.