Minutes

Public Safety Bond Committee

January 28, 2010

Siskiyou Room, 51 Winburn Way 8:00 a.m.

Attendence:  Mackin, Razzano, Slattery, Walters, Modesitt, Daugherty, Fox, Kramer, Custodio, Paul, Boldt, Kenefick, Stebbins, Seltzer (staff), Karns (staff), Holderness (staff)

Absent:  Dotterer

Call to order:

Chair Mackin called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. introduced himself and asked committee members to introduce themselves.

Review of Purpose of Committee:

The committee reviewed their purpose and discussed what the Council is looking for and what weight the Council will give to the recommendation of the committee. 

Staff clarified that of the numerous needed facility improvements identified in the Facilities Master Plan, the Council prioritized Fire Station #2 and the Police Station above any other projects.

Generally the committee agreed that first they must familiarize themselves with the projects in order to understand the need for the facility and then start to address the costs/bond etc.  They will focus their attention first on the Fire Station and then on PD and later on the ladder truck and training facility.

Fire Station #2

The committee asked if the cost of Fire Station #2 is firm or if there are options/flexibilities in the overall costs.  Staff responded there may be some savings in construction costs given the current economy and smaller savings with alternative building materials based on input from the architect such as using wood framing versus steel framing and using a standard lift rather than a conventional elevator.  Staff also explained that the exterior design and materials meet current land use regulations.

The committee requested a tour of Fire Station #2 and Police Station on February 4. 

At the February 18 meeting they will focus their discussion on Fire Station #2.  They requested staff arrange for the architect to attend that meeting to address potential cost savings with the current design.  The City Planner assigned to this project will also attend to address local land use regulations.

Chief Karns will prepare a presentation to address potential costs to the community if the Fire Station is not built, including ISO ratings, potential liability issues and also address NFP standards.

Other discussions included the use of pre-fabricated materials and opportunities for other funding sources.  The committee requested the Finance Director and/or the City Administer attend a future meeting to explain why a GO Bond is the only (or not) option for funding the station.

The committee agreed it will be very important for the community to become familiar with the need for the facilities and an Open House(s) of Fire Station #2 and PD should be available to the public once the committee makes a recommendation to the Council.

At a future meeting, Chief Holderness will prepare a presentation to address the needs for the Police Station and staff will invite the architect who was involved with the Facilities Master Plan committee to attend and discuss his suggested improvements to the Police Station.

Next dates:

Thursday, February 4 (tour of Fire Station #2 and PD)

Thursday, February 18 (regular meeting)

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 a.m.