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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC AG PKT 2007-08-13 #O e AGENDA REPORT DATE: August 13, 2007 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: David Carmany, City Manager SUBJECT: Status of Fire station #48 SUMMARY OF REQUEST: Receive and file this report. Direct the City Manager to prepare a preliminary facility plan. BACKGROUND: This is a thought piece about Fire Station 48. It is submitted for Councillpublic information e Fire department capital facilities in Seal Beach consist of two fire stations, which are exposed to some of the most intense and demanding uses of any public facility. The stations are located at 3131 Beverly Manor Road (Station 48) and 718 Central Avenue (Station 44). Both of these fire stations are owned by the City. Staffing is provided via a cash contract with the Orange County Fire Authority. Station 48 is staffed with an Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) pwnper engine company, paramedic van unit and relief paramedic van. The personnel using this facility respond to about ten calls/day, approximately 3,700 calls/year. Station 48 has been occupied literally around the clock since it was constructed in 1968 and is an integral part of the fabric of the community it serves. Firefighters assigned to a fire station identify very closely with the residents of "their" area and they feel strongly about their duty to serve their area. Station 48's flag proudly proclaiIns "Keepers of the World". Station 48 is in the right location, on a site that is appropriate for the deployment of the resources, and meeting the current and anticipated needs of the community. OCFA Division Chief Jorge Camargo has reviewed a computer model confirming what the professional fire fighters know intuitively; it is strategically appropriate to have a station at this location. e The condition and serviceability of the existing structure and its major systems affects the ability of the station to serve the community. Of note, no one working there has been complaining about the conditions. Quite the opposite, OCFA fire personnel are doing an exemplary job in a marginal facility. Agenda Item 0 e The building is in disrepair and requires both short and long-term attention. It has not been evaluated nor has it been retrofitted to meet seismic standards. Other problems include a 12-inch sag in the roof over the apparatus floor, (recently) rats, kitchen cabinets that have fallen off the wall and not been replaced, and leaking plumbing. The permanent fitness facilities are closed due to leaking roof, dry rot, failing stairs, and possible structural deficiencies. The floors, bearing walls, restrooms, heat, air conditioning, water, gas, and wastewater systems, are not in compliance with current local, state or national code standards. The design and layout of the three major components: office, dormitory/day room, or apparatus room do not meet the current standards envisioned in the OCFA "Fire Station Development Guide". The site lacks a perimeter security fence. Following analysis and discussions with OCFA Property Manager Steve Chambers and Architect Doug Andresen, city staff has concluded that 1) the building is at the end of its useful life, 2) remodeling is not cost effective and 3) the building needs to be replaced. e A primary focus of attention in developing a replacement facility plan will be towards developing a plan that will meet the identified needs of this facility to adequately respond to the projected demands for calls for service over the anticipated useful life of a new facility. Additional thought should also be given to master planning for emergency facilities that could ultimately be needed long-term. Examples of this could include life- flight, fuel, and/or training (tower) facility on the site or incorporating into the station a meeting room that could also function as an additional, although secondary, "emergency operations center" capability in case the current facilities at the Police Station are not available for use due to natural disaster affecting the Newport-Inglewood Fault (the Police Station is approximately 0.5 miles from the identified fault line). This is an exciting and necessary project. We have an opportunity to design a new facility to meet the needs of the fire service for many years to come, complying with all legally applicable health, safety, building, and fire code requirements. Essential public facilities are expensive; recent stations built to OCF A standards have been costing $4.5 million dollars apiece, and more. A fire station recently constructed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department cost approximately 51,000/ square foot. Taxpayers require that the city be a good steward of their money when undertaking a maj or capital proj ect such as this. They also demand that the facilities used to provide fire and emergency medical services work when they are needed. Although fiscal impact is unknown at this juncture, options for financing could include pay-as-you-go, lease- purchase, and conventional debt. At this point it probably makes sense to first develop a plan and explore all viable options before committing to any definite course of action. FUTURE STEPS: e rbi.s is a long-term project now on a very distant horizon. Staff envisions a process of working with the community, OCF A, architect, and appropriate city staff to develop a e comprehensive ''facility plan" to replace this important public service facility within the community. A "preliminary facility plan" would be prepared and reviewed by the City Council and appropriate reviewing bodies at OCF A prior to any authorization to proceed with "final facility design plan." Upon completion of a ''final facility design plan" there would a formal City Council review and consideration of the plans and an authorization to proceed to the preparation of final construction and financing plans. It is anticipated that the planning process, including an analysis of means and methods of financing, could take several months to complete. RECOMMENDATION: Receive and1i1e this report. Direct the City Manager to prepare a preliminary facility plan. ~~ V David Carmany, City Manager e Agenda Item_ e