(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council has a full slate for Monday night’s meeting.
After reviewing bids from seven firms, the city will likely approve a contract with OPN Architects as the engineering company for Fire Station 6 and its adjacent training facility. They would be paid $1,725,000 for architectural, engineering, geotechnical and commissioning services from design through construction. The work is expected to take two to three years to complete. In November, St. Cloud residents approved spending $43.5 million to build a fire station and training center near Tech High School on the southwest side of town. Those bonds will cover the expense.
The council will also set the wheels in motion on three road improvement projects. They will give authorization to acquire easements for dozens of properties along 22nd Street South between Cooper Avenue and County Road 136. It is part of a $6.6 million project to widen the road. The city estimates it will cost around $220,000 for needed property. Lincoln Avenue will be getting $5.7 million in improvements, including reconstructing the roadway from 7th Street Southeast to East St. Germain Street, reconstructing a water main, installing sidewalks, and resurfacing north to the city limits.
A plan to improve the 13 acre Woodland Hills Park will go in front of the panel. The plan includes a new full-size basketball court, walking paths, and a shelter. The work is estimated to cost around $340,000. It will be paid for with property taxes approved by voters in 2022 to make $20 million in improvements to neighborhood parks.
The council also wants to approve a three-year deal between itself and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union, AFL-CIO, Council #65, Local Union #748, and the Professional Employees Unit. The deal calls for a 3% salary increase this year and a 4.75% bump each of the next two years.
All the items are listed in the city council’s consent agenda, meaning they can be passed in one motion without discussion unless pulled by a council member. The meeting gets underway at 6:00 p.m. inside city hall.
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