Quinn Ritzdorf
St. Joseph News-Press, Mo.
(TNS)
St. Joseph (MO) City Councilman Andy Trout
Dec. 13—The St. Joseph City Council approved the sale of the old fire station at 3308 Mitchell Ave. to one of its own — City Councilman Andy Trout.
After the new fire station at 4500 Mitchell Avenue was built, the city moved out of the old one right down the street and put it up for sale. It’s a move the city has had success with in the past, with old stations becoming homes or businesses.
A request for proposal was issued on Oct. 7, and in a month, the city received nine bids. All bids were submitted in sealed envelopes that remained sealed until after the bid deadline, according to city documents.
Stealhead Holdings, LLC, which is owned by Trout, was the highest bid at $80,000. Trout has refrained from participating in discussions regarding the selection of the bid, including not attending a closed-door meeting about the issue. He also abstained from the vote Monday, which passed 6-1-1, with City Councilman Madison Davis as the lone dissenting vote.
“I just did not agree with the purchaser — it was a fellow council member,” Davis said. “I didn’t think that council members should be purchasing city property.”
Trout said he plans to renovate the second floor of the fire station into a temporary guest space, like an Airbnb, and turn the first floor, where the fire truck was parked, into an event space. The location of the fire station is unique in that it is situated in a largely residential area.
“I’d just like to see something that the neighborhood is accepting of,” Davis said. “If it’s a business, that would be great. Whatever sits with the neighborhood and the neighbors in the area.”
According to the bill, city staff members review proposals based on use and price. Trout’s proposed use complies with the zoning code and “would allow the public access to this historic structure in the future to remember its place in St. Joseph history.”
The funds from this real estate sale will go toward the general fund and the fire department to purchase and maintain vehicles.
Other news and notes:
Fire department raises
The council unanimously appropriated $334,884 to implement the previously negotiated pay increases with the fire department.
The pay plan includes an annual increase of 4% (up from 3%) and modifies the longevity plan to provide the full amount of longevity increases in 20 years rather than 35. Currently, employees get a 5% increase after year 5 and a 2.5% increase after years 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35. Under the revised plan, they will get 5% increases after years 5, 10, 15 and 20. It goes into effect at the start of the year.
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