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O'Meara 04 24 17 Memo re background phase 2.doc
Memo
__________________________________________________________________________________
DATE: April 26, 2017 TO: ad hoc City Hall Committee
FROM: Police Chief Tighe O’Meara
RE: Background Phase 2 of Police Station
In 2010, the Public Safety Bond Committee identified seismic improvements and expansion of the Police Station as a top priority. Phase 1 of this project was completed in 2013 and included much
needed interview and evidence storage space, as well as retro fitting the existing structure to today’s
more stringent seismic standards.
Phase 2, which includes an Emergency Operations Center (EOC)/training facility was identified as another need for the city, partly because the city’s current EOC (the municipal court building) is not
likely to withstand a significant seismic event.
It is well established that one of the most significant threats our region faces is a possible 9.0 seismic
event following a Cascadia Subduction Zone incident. The fact that our current EOC will not likely be usable after such an event makes the need for an alternative clear.
In May of 2011, Council awarded a contract to Straus & Seibert Architects for architectural design
services for the remodel and expansion of the current station, as well as to provide plans for a seismically sound Phase 2 EOC/training facility addition to the current police building.
The need for a reliable, stable and secure EOC during the management of a major event cannot be
overestimated. An EOC is the central command and control facility responsible for carrying out
disaster management functions during an emergency and ensuring the continuity of city operations. In addition to not being up to current seismic standards, the current facility is too small to adequately serve as an EOC and lacks a robust and redundant power and communications system.
As a secondary, but still important, need the Police Department currently lacks adequate space to
conduct training for its officers. Currently the department has to rely on other city departments (Parks and Rec for example) to find space for some trainings, often competing with community groups for the use of the space.
At the Police Department’s request Straus & Seibert Architects is updating and completing full design
plans for the proposed new EOC/training facility. Construction of the design will cost approximately one million dollars.
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