During Tuesday’s regular Common Council meeting, Mayor Bill Bialecki advised the council of being approached recently by a party interested in purchasing former Fire Station #1 located at 701 E. First St.
“In the last few weeks, a party has come forward with an offer to purchase the old fire station and make it into a fire station themed restaurant,” Bialecki stated. “We just can’t sell the station outright, we have to place it out for bid.”
Bialecki added the party is interested in buying the existing apparatus bays also, with intent to convert them into a banquet hall. Alderman Chris Malm questioned how the bidding process would work.
City Administrator Dave Johnson stated the process would be the same as the former Ranger Station, being advertised in local newspapers and the bid offering the most suitability for what the city is looking for would be accepted. The motion passed unanimously.
The Merrill Common Council also sealed the deal on the 2014-15 city budget Tuesday evening by a 6-1 vote, with Alderman Rob Norton dissenting.
The only suggested changes on Tuesday were from Norton and Alderman Dave Sukow. During Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Sukow motioned to leave open an upcoming full time administrative assistant vacancy at the Police Department, and save on costs in terms of salary and benefits. Finance director Kathy Unertl stated the savings would be approximately $50,000.
Sukow asked police chief Ken Neff if the two existing clerical staff could absorb the additional work load.
“Part of the problem with that would be time commitments for office responsibilities such as warrant entries and our CVR transactions,” Neff stated. “If this position was not filled, we would have to make some other adjustments with our office staff.”
The motion passed on Thursday, but last night Sukow was having second thoughts.
“After some thought, I would like to see if we could set aside $15,000 for a part-time position instead of full time,” Sukow stated. “Then perhaps administrator Johnson, chief Neff and the Personnel and Finance Committee could get together and determine if the position is needed.”
Unertl stated the funding for a full-time position is still in the budget, therefore the position could still be filled if deemed necessary.
Norton also attempted to retract a motion made on Thursday, regarding not filling a part-time administrative assistant position at the fire department. Thursday’s motion was made by Alderman Ryan Schwartzman.
“This would not be creating a new position, but filling a position which hasn’t been filled in over 20 years,” Norton stated. “I just don’t think at present time the citizens of Merrill are getting the full level of service from the fire department due to not having anyone there when the fire fighters are out on a call. The doors get locked, with no estimate on when they will be open again. I just don’t think that’s fair.”
Despite Norton’s request, the budget was passed as amended by the Committee of the Whole on Thursday.
Other changes made on Thursday were prolonging fire department purchase of a new rescue boat and brush truck until 2016, as motioned by Alderman Pete Lokemoen.
Schwartzman’s motion to strike replacement of a pool car for use by city employees was defeated 2-6.
In other matters Tuesday, the council unanimously approved issuance of a liquor license to Kwik Trip Inc. and signage to be placed on Taylor Street prohibiting truck traffic.
The council heard ordinance readings from city attorney Tom Hayden regarding the re-zoning of the building currently used by 1212 Sports Lounge, for use by Journey Church. A second and third reading is required for a council vote, however such a request was not made by any council members present.
According to Hayden, the second and third readings may take place at future council meetings.