The Iowa City City Council passed a resolution to schedule a public hearing on Feb. 2 to discuss the construction of the new Iowa City fire station and the possible reduction of the franchise fee.

The fire-station hearing will discuss plans, specifications, forms of contract, and estimated construction costs.

The city estimates the new building will cost $3,021,072; it will be located on the northeast corner of Scott Boulevard and North Dubuque Road.

The franchise-fee discussion, also scheduled for Feb. 2, will concern amending an ordinance to lower the fee from 2 percent to 1 percent.

Interim City Manager Dale Helling told the City Council in December that he thought a franchise fee less than two percent would be feasible.

The franchise fee will go toward public-safety initiatives, including helping to fund the new fire station.

— by Kathryn Stinson