Under new business, the City of Banks, School District, and Fire District discussed their collaborative Emergency Operations Plan, which designates the Fire District as the primary dispatch and coordination location during emergencies. A need for secure storage of emergency supplies was identified, and the city proposed placing three Conex storage containers in the Fire District’s gravel lot, but board members raised concerns about space, impact on training grounds, aesthetics, long-term suitability, and unclear contents, and noted that no funding currently exists from any partner. The board tabled the proposal and directed Chief Linz to gather more information and explore alternatives, with a joint grant application mentioned as a likely funding source.This points to an early-stage project to design and fund a disaster response storage solution or building (potentially more permanent than Conex boxes) integrated with the EOC concept, where architecture, site planning, modular building, storage systems, and grant-writing services could all be relevant.

Current concept uses three Conex containers on the district’s gravel parking lot, but the board has concerns and is open to alternatives and grant funding ideas.