Geneva voters will decide on April 1 whether the city can borrow $68 million to build replacement police and fire stations.
A city council committee recommended a referendum on Monday night. Council members will take a binding vote on the matter on Jan. 13, the deadline to add something to the April consolidated election ballot.
If voters approve the ballot measure, the money would be used to build a larger police station, likely next to the public works building on South Street. The police department currently is in a building on East James Street. Parts of it are at least 109 years old. It was last renovated and remodeled in 2006.
It also would be used to replace Fire Station 2, which is on Fargo Boulevard west of Randall Road, and possibly work in the part of the public works building that the city’s emergency management agency uses.
City Administrator Stephanie Dawkins said the referendum money would be limited to projects related to public safety. For example, it could not be used for a proposal to expand City Hall into the adjacent former Geneva Public Library.
Alderperson Richard Marks said the council has been discussing the conditions of the city’s facilities for at least three years.
“The police station is just not one that we can really save at this point,” Marks said.
Problems include a roof that constantly leaks, he said, calling it a “waterfall” that has made file rooms and some electrical outlets unusable. He described the area where fingerprints are taken as a “deep, dark dungeon.”
Marks also noted that at Fire Station 2, there are no separate sleeping quarters for female firefighters. In addition, the building was constructed using residential — not commercial — standards.
He said that was not good for a building used around the clock.
“I know that is a large amount of money. It is a large, large amount of money,” Marks said.
“It is the best long-term investment as opposed to cobbling together money for repairs,” Alderperson Mike Bruno said.
“There was a large gasp. There was no air left in the room when we heard what this all would initially cost,” Marks said of the council’s reaction to the full list of recommendations for every city building, including city hall.
Dawkins said if the measure passes, the owner of a $392,800 home — the average price in Geneva — would likely pay about $200 more in property taxes the first year.
Several aldermen urged residents to contact them if they have questions.
The city will host town hall-style meetings to present information and answer questions, according to Dawkins. It also will give tours of the facilities.
