Fire District Approves Construction Manager for New Station, Targets May 5 Bid Opening

The Manhattan Fire Protection District selected ICI Build as its construction management company for the new fire station project and is targeting May 5 for opening construction bids.

The board unanimously approved ICI Build with a 9.5% fee structure during Monday’s meeting, after tabling the decision last month while fee schedules were finalized. The company will provide a full-time supervisor on site throughout the construction process.

“ICI Build will provide a full time supervisor on site at all times,” according to the meeting minutes. Attorney John Motylinski reviewed the contract and made minor procedural changes before the board’s approval.

Chief Steve Malone reported that water and sewer installation for the new station is currently underway as part of the district’s intergovernmental agreement, with ARPA grant funds covering costs. Once the construction management contract is finalized, ICI Build will develop a scope of work and bid package.

The district’s attorney is working with an easement homeowner on final details, and a permit has been submitted to the Village of Manhattan. The Eastern Avenue project should be complete by the end of the year.

In other financial news, the district’s ambulance fees are up 3% overall through the first quarter, while interest rates continue to perform well. No tax revenue has been received yet, which is typical since property tax payments arrive in June.

The board also approved two other significant items during the meeting. Members unanimously approved the final FY2023 audit report, which had been presented in draft form last month, and adopted Ordinance 2025-01 requiring direct connection of fire alarm and detection systems to Laraway Communications Center rather than third-party services.

The district received a $33,000 grant from Earthrise to purchase brush fire personal protective equipment. Deputy Chief Dave Piper is coordinating additional grants, including working with five local pipelines to purchase four-gas monitors for hazardous material detection.

Emergency call volume remains strong with 166 emergency runs last month out of 216 total calls, indicating significant non-emergency activity as well. The district is continuing to address staffing transitions, with recent training completed for nine new part-time members and four interns, though 3-4 members are departing for full-time positions at other departments.

The operational procedures and policy manual with Lexipol is approximately 95% complete, with the attorney reviewing chapters for consistency with the collective bargaining agreement and union executive board reviewing policies. The complete manual will be presented to the board for adoption once finalized.