HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-09-22 City Council (12)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
FIRE
DATE:
SUBJECT:
SEPTEMBER 22, 1998 CMR:364:98
PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING PROJECT STATUS REPORT
This is an informational report and no Council action is required at this timel
BACKGROUND
In June 1998, Council approved a Budget Amendment Ordinance (BAO) to fund Phase 1 of
the Public Safety Building Capital Improvement Program and authorized the City Manager
to execute a contract with Ross/Drulis Architects and Planners for consultant services for this
part of the project. Due to the nature and scope of this project, staffis planning a significant
public outreach process. This report provides information about that process and a
description of the additional work that will be completed during Phase 1. Attachment A
displays the steps of the process.
DISCUSSION
Project Definition Phase
During the last few months, the consultants have conducted interviews .with Police and Fire
personnel for the purpose of conducting an operational analysis and fmalizing space needs
for a new facility based-upon staffmg and functional requirements. Additionally, a seismic
assessment of the current facility is being completed, including an exainination of the
structural and architectural stability and suitability of the existing City Hall police facility.
The architectural Program based upon the information the consultants have collected is 60
percent completed. The program, when completed, will include the square footage needed
to meet the functional requirements of both the Police and Fire Departments.
CMR:364:98 Page 1 of 4
Conceptual Desi_~_
Upon completion of the architectural program, the consultant will begin the conceptual
design portion of the project. This will include a review of the recently adopted
Comprehensive Plan, preliminary suitability analysis of potential sites and the creation of a
short list of possible sites.
Site Survey and Selection
Using 10 potential general area locations for possible sites, the consultants will evaluate each
location based upon size, selection criteria, community concerns, and urban design factors.
Including the current Police Wing, the number of potential sites will be narrowed to three
in addition to the current location. For each of these sites, the consultant will conduct
preliminary initial environmental reviews.
Public Outreach Process
Because of the scope of this project, and the high probability that a bond election would be
needed for funding the construction, staff feels it is vitally important that extensive public
outreach be conducted and that members of the community be kept informed-about the
project on a continual basis. As a result, with the assistance of the consultant and the
Advisory Committee, the following public outreach process has been developed:
Community Meetings - A number of community meetings will be held as one method to
disseminate information and receive feedback. Initially, a general community meeting will
be held on a Saturday morning this fall. The purpose of that meeting will be to inform
interested residents about the need for a new facility. Staff is exploring the possibility of
having the meeting televised on Cable Channel 16. At that meeting, the consultants will
distribute general questionnaires that ask residents how they characterize their neighborhood,
what value they would perceive in having a facility located nearby, and what their concerns
would be about having a facility located in close proximity. In order to reach as many
residents as possible, after the initial general meeting Police and Fire staff will attend
neighborhood association meetings for the same purpose. At the point that the list of
potential locations has been narrowed, follow up meetings with residents in those specific
areas will be held. At those meetings, more detailed information will be provided and
attendees will have the opportunity to share additional concerns, suggestions, and ideas.
Attachment B depicts the initial project introduction workshop process.
Newsletter/Press Releases - Staff intends on distributing periodic newsletters to the
community during this phase. Additionally, frequent press releases with updated information
will be issued.
CMR:364:98 Page 2 of 4
Advisory. Committe~
A City Manager-appointed Advisory Committee was involved in the selection of the
consultant and will continue to provide assistance during the project. Committee members
were instrumental in the development of the public outreach process. Members of the
Committee include:
Art Bayce
John King
Lee Lippert
Elsbeth Newfield
Kathy Sctmaidt
Stuart Stone
Jeff Valliant
Barron Park Association
Realtor
Architectural Review Board
University South Neighborhood Group
Planning Commission
California Avenue Area Development Association
Chamber of Commerce
Staff members on the Advisory Committee include representatives from the Planning, Police,
Fire, Public Works, and Administrative Services Departments.
TIMELINE
The following is the anticipated timeline associated with this phase of the project:
Architectural Program Completion
Conceptual Design Phase Initiation
First Community Meeting
Individual Neighborhood Meetings
Recommendations to Planing Commission
and City Council
September 24
October 10
October 31
To be determined
Fall 1999
FISCAL IMPACT
Council previously approved a Budget Amendment Ordinance in the Amount of $275,000
for costs associated with this phase of the project.
ENVIRONMENTAL
An initial environmental study of the three most viable sites will be performed and an
CMR:364:98 Page 3 of 4
environmental assessment will be conducted on the preferred site.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Flow Chart of process
Attachment B - Flow Chart of Public Outreach process
PREPARED BY:Lynne Johnson, Assistant Police Chief
Judy Jewell, DeputyFire ~hief
PATRICK DWS~-R
C~~ef of Police
~’E-FL~EM~Manager ,~G ’f
CMR:364:98 Page 4 of 4
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