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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 2000/09/16 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SEPTEMBER 16, 2000 9:00a. m. An Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Chula Vista was called to order at 9:14 a.m. in the Council Conference Room located in the Administration Building, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, Califomia. 1. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Davis, Moot, Padilla, Salas, and Mayor Horton (Mayor Horton arrived at 9:16 a.m.) ABSENT: Councilmembers: None ALSO PRESENT: Assistant City Manager Morris, Senior Assistant City Attorney Moore, City Clerk Bigelow 2. REPORT REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING FOR A NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS AND CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL OF A SITE SELECTION In August 2000, the City Council awarded a contract to Highland Parmership, Inc. to conduct the master planning for a new Police facility and the remodel/expansion of the existing Civic Center. As part of its contract, Highland was to provide the City with site evaluation alternatives and analyses, massing studies, conceptual designs, and preliminary construction budget projections. The purpose of the workshop was to present preliminary findings to the City Cotmcil regarding the siting analysis and a recommendation for conceptual site approval. Representatives of Highland Partnership presented the report, stating that the ideal site would allow a police headquarters that is inviting to the community, understands emerging technology, maximizes staff efficiency, provides coordinated service delivery, contains community meeting space, has been planned for future growth, and understands the history and unique needs of the community. The Chula Vista police need a full service facility to support the 22nd largest police department in the state, a facility that supports community-oriented policing, a "smart" facility with new technology to provide more efficient and effective operations, a larger facility to acconunodate the current and future growth of the police force, a location near the Civic Center to support community government and cooperative problem solving, and a location on the west side of the City based on current and future needs for services. The general criteria for selecting a site included a parcel size able to accommodate police programs, a location close to the highest calls for service, a location accessible to the public, project cost and value, and the ability to provide consolidated government services. Five areas of the City were studied, resulting in the identification of seven potential sites. Three sites, the current Corporation Yard, the Mercy building block, and Friendship Park, were selected for further analyses. The advantages and disadvantages of each site were presented, and Friendship Park was recommended for further study. The site allows for strong urban planning connections to the Civic Center, library and Third Avenue corridor; is an identifiable, visible location; is convenient for Page 1 - Council Minutes 09/16/00 the public; minimizes interdepartmental travel time; meets the standards for law enforcement use; does not disrupt existing police operations; and does not remove revenue-generating property from the tax rolls. The challenges associated with the site include the integration of the facility with the library and surrounding residential community and the removal of a portion of a City park. It is anticipated, however, that there will be a multi-faceted approach to replace the park, that funds will be set aside to improve and/or create other park facilities in the vicinity of the Civic Center, and that opportunities for pocket parks, linear park area, and seating areas will be maximized in the police headquarters design program, as well as in the overall Civic Center Master Plan area. The site has all utilities in place; sewer, water, gas and electric, telephone and fiber is currently available. The site is also currently accessible from Fourth Avenue, Davidson Street, Glover Avenue, and Garrett Avenue; and there are transit stops on Fourth Avenue and F Street. A cost/benefit comparison of the three highest-ranking sites was presented and indicated an overall cost savings of$10.2 million at the Friendship Park site, as opposed to $400,000 in savings for the Corporation Yard site and $1.3 million in savings for the Mercy block site. Friendship Park, therefore, is the recommended preferred site. Councilmember Padilla expressed the need over the short-term for a replacement of the park land on the west side of the City. Councilmember Salas stated that if Friendship Park is used, there needs to be a green buffer of sufficient size between the facility and the surrounding residential neighborhood, and she asked staff to report in the near future on when and how the loss of park land would be mitigated. Jerry Rindone explained that he had not been present for the report presentation; however, he did not believe Friendship Park was an appropriate location. He asked the Council to study other sites in other sections of the City and to ensure that amenities provided on the west side are equitable with those in the easterly portion of the City. Councilmember Padilla suggested that Mr. Rindone receive a briefing on the report findings, and he asked Mr. Rindone to publicly support the siting at Friendship Park if he were convinced of its appropriateness after the briefing. ACTION: Deputy Mayor Moot moved to conceptually approve the siting of the new police facility at Friendship Park and to direct staff to prepare detailed site analyses and design, including site, floor and exterior elevations; to look at park land mitigation; and to return to the Council at a Regular Meeting to report on the analyses of the various sites. Councilmember Padilla seconded the motion, and it carded 5-0. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. ADJOURNMENT At 11:05 a.m., Mayor Horton adjourned the meeting to the Regular Meeting of September 26, 2000. Respectfully submitted, Susan Bigelow, CMC/AAE, City Clerk Page 2 - Council Minutes 09/16/00