Resolution 17-074(S)(A) Stantec Prepare a 10% Building Design Option Cost Estimate & Worksession

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Aderhold

RESOLUTION 17-074(S)(A)

A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZING STANTEC ARCITECTURE TO PREPARE A 10% CONCEPTUAL DESIGN INCLUDING A PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW POLICE STATION AND SCHEDULING A FACILITATED WORKSESSION WITH COUNCIL.  

WHEREAS, Council created a Public Safety Building Review Committee (PSBRC) in January 2014; and

WHEREAS, The PSBRC selected a property at the corner of the Sterling Highway and Pioneer Avenue, commonly referred to as the HERC site, because it met the PSBRC’s selection criteria (e.g., lot size, property ownership, and above the tsunami zone); and

WHEREAS, The proposed new fire department was separated from the public safety building project when it became apparent the cost was too steep to simultaneously build a new police and fire station; and

WHEREAS, Council supported a bonding request to construct a reduced size public safety campus with police station only that repurposed the HERC building as non-essential space to the voters at the general election in October 2016 in an amount not to exceed twelve million dollars; and

WHEREAS, Proposition #1 that would allow the City of Homer to incur debt and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed twelve million dollars ($12,000,000) to finance the planning, design, and construction of a police station and related capital improvements was defeated by the voters at the October 4, 2016 regular election  by 71 votes; and

WHEREAS, Council created the Police Station Building Task Force in February of 2017 to provide guidance on how to move forward on the police station including site selection, budget, operations and maintence, and public private partnerships; and

WHEREAS, The Police Station Building Task Force presented recommendations to Council via Memorandum 17-082 on May 30, 2017; and

WHEREAS, The Police Station Building Task Force recommended Heath Street and Grubstake Avenue (north of the post office) as the preferred site for a new police station; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force further recommended two building options for consideration by Council: option 2A an approximately 8,400 square foot building with a not to exceed budget of $6 million and option 2B a 13,900 square foot building with a not to exceed budget of $13 9 million; and

WHEREAS, The Council discussed the recommendations at length at the May 30 and June 12 meetings without being able to come to a consensus on cost or site for a new police station; and 

WHEREAS, Council expressed an interest in keeping the HERC site as an option for the location of a new police station; and

WHEREAS, The HERC gym is currently used for Community Recreation including pickle ball, toddler play group, and Zumba, among other activities; and

WHEREAS, The Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Needs Assessment in 2015 concluded a that the most pressing recreational/cultural need in Homer was for a general-purpose gymnasium and multi-purpose space for dance, martial arts, performing arts, and community events; and

WHEREAS, The Needs Assessment further concluded that while a long-term option for a cultural and reactional center is explored, the City should investigate ways to keep the HERC open to help meet indoor space needs; and

WHEREAS, Investing in the HERC to increase the life span of the building and bring the downstairs up to fire code will allow expanded public use with greater occupancy capabilities than are currently allowed; and

WHEREAS, Repurposing the HERC in a way that is useful to the police department while maintaining the gym access to the public fills two very important needs in the community; and

WHEREAS, Currently the City spends $40,000 - $60,000 a year keeping the HERC in warm status. Repurposing the facility with improved energy efficiency, renovating the roof, and making it a useful facility will allow those operating dollars to be spent constructively on operating and maintaining a new police station; and

WHEREAS, Stantec Architecture is the firm selected by the City Council in March of 2014 to manage the design and construction for the public safety building under the General Contractor /Construction Manager model; and

WHEREAS, The Council has been working on meeting the need for a new police station for over 3 years and is still struggling with major variables such as site and cost; and

WHEREAS, Given the importance of the project and the differing opinions, it would be useful to have a professional facilitator guide Council thorough an extended worksession evaluating the pros and cons of different options with  the goal of coming to consensus on an option that can be brought to the public for their feedback.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Homer, Alaska authorizes Stantec Architecture to prepare a 10% concept designs for the new police station for consideration by Council for a 6 million dollar facility the corner of Heath Street and Grubstake Avenue.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City will contract with a local skilled facilitator to conduct an extended worksession scheduled after the general election in October to discuss the available options with the intent of gaining city council agreement on one site and building concept.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council on this 14th day of August, 2017.

CITY OF HOMER

_______________________________
BRYAN ZAK, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
MELISSA JACOBSEN, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: Approximately $12,500 for 10% preliminary design ; $2,000 for professional facilitator from Police Station Building Fund, account balance $88,000