HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-Public Safety Facility Committee
Page 1 of 2 2010-Public Safety Facility Committee.doc
Council Communication
Citizen Committee on Possible Public Safety Facility G.O. Bond levy
Meeting Date: November 17, 2009 Primary Staff Contact: Martha Bennett
Department: Administration E-Mail: bennettm@ashland.or.us
Secondary Dept.: Secondary Contact: John Karns, Terry
Holderness, Mike Faught
Approval: Martha Bennett Estimated Time: 10 minutes
Question:
Does the City Council wish to appoint a citizen task force to look at a possible General Obligation Bond Levy to fund capital projects for Public Safety Facilities?
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the Council request that the Mayor appoint an ad-hoc committee to advise the City Council on whether to pursue a G.O. Bond levy in November 2010 and which facilities should be on the levy. Background:
In 2008, the City completed a Facilities Master Plan. That master plan included a space needs
analysis, and recommendations for the amount of space needed for various departments. In some cases, the Master Plan provided options for the City to consider. In other cases, the Master Plan recommended a specific option. After the report was presented, the City Council had one study session on prioritizing and phasing the
various projects in the plan on November 3, 2008. The Council directed that replacement of Fire Station #2 be the City’s top priority and that the expansion of the Police Station was the #2 priority. Council also directed that any funding discussions wait until after resolution of the possible renewal of Food and Beverage Tax.
Since that discussion, the City pursued funding of Fire Station #2 through a Federal Stimulus grant. That grant was not awarded, but preparation of the grant documents led to refinement of the Fire Station design, including designing a smaller building that fits entirely on the existing site. This building is estimated to cost $1.5 million less than the building that was rejected by the voters in November 2006.
Staff continues to believe that replacement of Fire Station #2 is a very high priority for the City. This building is extremely outdated, is too small to handle the number of staff and vehicles the City needs at the Station, and may not be seismically sound. Similarly, the Police Station has several real deficiencies in serving a community of our size, and the need for adequate evidence storage and
interview rooms are pressing. In addition to these buildings, both departments need additional training facilities, and the Fire Chief is concerned that the City needs a ladder company to respond to calls buildings over 3 stories.
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Page 2 of 2 2010-Public Safety Facility Committee.doc
While these needs are pressing, staff is reluctant to propose additional tax measures at this time unless there is consensus in the community that these buildings are both needed but are also affordable. As such, we recommend that the Mayor and Council appoint an ad-hoc citizen task force to make a
recommendation to the Council by June 15, 2010 about:
• Whether the City should request voter approval of a levy?
• Which public safety improvements should be on the levy?
• What should the amount of the levy be?
Staff suggests that the composition of the task force include:
• One member of the City Council
• Two members of the 2008 Facilities Master Plan ad-hoc committee.
• Two citizens with a general interest in the fire service (possibly CERT volunteers)
• Two citizens with a general interest in police services
• One or two people with experience in other bond measures (need coordination with ASD in particular)
• Two citizens at large
If Council approves this recommendation, then we will work with Mayor Stromberg on a proposed list
of appointees and return to Council as early as December 1, 2009. Council Options:
Accept the staff recommendation.
Request additional information
Reject the staff recommendation
Other option, potentially a combination of the above options. Potential Motions:
I move that the City _____________________. Attachments: None.
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