Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription

1 City of Claremont Proposed Police Facility Frequently Asked Questions Updated: October 17, 2017 The City of Claremont has been working for the past fifteen years exploring options for a new Police Facility due to the age and condition of the existing building. The current Police Station was built in 1972 and no longer meets State and Federal building standards nor does it fit the needs of a modern police force working 24/7. Since its construction, Claremont s Police Department has more than doubled in size. While the City has adapted the building to house the additional personnel the building, the City can no longer modify the building to serving the growing needs of the department. On April 24, 2015, the City Council unanimously voted to place a ballot measure on the November 3, 2015 ballot asking voters to approve a Parcel Tax to fund the construction of a new Police Facility. The Parcel Tax measure failed to pass. Following its failure, then Mayor Corey Calcaycay formed a 15 member Citizens Ad Hoc Committee to review the Police Facility proposal including the location, cost, size, and funding of the facility. In June 2017, the Ad Hoc Committee presented its final recommendations to the City Council. The City Council directed

2 staff to host a series of meetings to gather community feedback on the proposal and financing mechanism. Overview of the Claremont Police Department The Police Department consists of 38 sworn police officers, 3 sworn reserve police officers, 23 full time professional employees, 8 part time employees, and over 30 volunteers. The Police Department operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Police Department consists of the Administrative Services Division, Operations, and Support Services. The Administrative Services Division consists of administration, community and volunteer programs, emergency operations, and the Detective Bureau. The Operations Division consists of traffic and patrol and special programs such as the school resources officer and K 9 unit. The Support Services Division oversees records, dispatch, impound and the jail. 1. Why does the City need a new Police Facility? The current Police Station, located at 570 West Bonita Avenue, was evaluated as part of a comprehensive Needs Assessment study in 2016 that looked at the needs of the Police Department, the condition of the existing station, the feasibility of retrofitting the existing station, and logistics of constructing a new facility at the current site. The Ad Hoc Committee evaluated the finding of the study and determined the existing station is no longer able to serve the needs of the Police Department. The wear and tear of round the clock usage has deteriorated the station. Heating and air conditions are failing and regularly overheat, putting computer and communication systems at risk. The existing facility was built for a much smaller, all male police force. Since the facility opened, the number of employees working out of the station has more than doubled. The 42 year old electrical and mechanical systems are failing to meet the demands of today s advanced computer and communication systems. The equipment and technology used by a modern police force is vastly different from the tools and equipment used by police in the 1970s. The Claremont Police Department relies on computer systems for dispatch, communications, investigations, reports, and monitoring the Automated License Plate Reader Video System. The Department has invested in technology to assist officers in working more efficiently and effectively. The police station serves as the City s primary emergency response center with operations running 24 hours a day. The station also houses a Type I jail facility that books and hold persons for crimes for up to 96 hours before they are arraigned and turned over to the County. The jail houses up to 18 inmates who are monitored, fed, and cared for by the jail staff. The jail is currently certified by the Department of Corrections but is at risk of losing certification due to its age and design.

3 In addition to the lack of space, one of the main reasons the City began researching a new facility is the fact that the bunker style building does not meet current earthquake standards. The station, made of cinder blocks, was not engineered to withstand the shaking and rolling of a major earthquake. Since the Northridge earthquake, the State passed the Essential Services Building Seismic Safety Act, which requires police stations, fire stations, and hospitals to be built to one and one half the building code standards today to help ensure that these critical facilities are able to function during and after an earthquake. At the time the station was built, the Americans With Disabilities Act did not exist. The Act established building standards to ensure public buildings are accessible to persons with disabilities. The current station does not meet the standards required by the ADA. 2. Can the City renovate the existing site rather than build at a new location? One of the key findings of the 2016 study was that the concrete bunker style structure of the existing building lacks the lateral strength required to meet the essential services requirements needed to comply with seismic codes and restricts expansion of the building. The block construction, which was standard in 1972, makes expansion and renovation problematic and cost prohibitive. The facility would be too costly to renovate to meet this code and would not address space concerns for the jail, communications, records, lockers, office space, and parking. The existing block construction is not built to support a second story. 3. How is the 2017 Police Facility proposal different from the 2015 proposal put before voters? Measure PS Revised Proposal Size 47,000 square feet 26,000 square feet Cost $50 million $25 million Location Monte Vista Ave.(pit) Bonita Ave (existing site) Bond Term 40 years 25 years Total Debt Service $119.5 million $36.06 Million (GO Bond option) or $38.33 Million (Parcel Tax option) Financing Parcel Tax Undecided

4 Mechanism $286 per year Note: The Council is seeking community input on a G.O. Bond, Parcel Tax, or Parcel Tax based on square footage. 4. What would happen to the existing police station? The new police station would be constructed at 570 West Bonita Avenue to the west of the existing station. The existing station would be operational during the construction of the new facility. Staff parking and the impound lot would be temporarily relocated during construction. Following the completion of the new facility, the existing station would be demolished and a parking lot built in its place. 5. What is the cost to construct a new Police Facility? The cost to construct a new Police Facility is approximately $25 million. This amount includes design and engineering, site preparation, facility construction, communication and radio systems, and financing costs. The cost to construct Public Safety facilities is higher than the average commercial and residential construction because Essential Services facilities must be built one and a half times stronger to withstand earthquakes and other disasters. The Ad Hoc Committee also looked at the existing station and evaluated whether to eliminate the impound lot and jail to save room and money. After reviewing station operations, the Ad Hoc Committee determined the impound lot could be reduced in size but the jail was necessary. The impound lot brings in revenue to cover staffing and offset costs. Transporting suspects for booking takes an officer off patrol and uses resources better spent elsewhere. The City s jailers are also utilized to cover records and other duties when not needed in the jail. 6. Montclair has a much smaller jail, why is Claremont s jail larger? Claremont is in Los Angeles County while Montclair is in San Bernardino County. The two Counties have different processes for holding and housing arrestees. Montclair only holds arrestees for a short period until they are transported to a County facility for booking and housing. Claremont books and holds arrestee until their first court date, up to 96 hours. 7. Is public art included in the cost of the facility? The amount allocated for public art for the facility is approximately $120,000. This amount was not included in the total cost of the facility, as staff believes funds can be secured from outside sources for public art.

5 8. How would the City pay for the facility? The City would need to finance the majority of the cost of the facility through bonds paid through an assessment to property owners. In addition to the bond, the City would contribute General Fund money to the project for furniture and fixtures. Bonds may be issued in phases. Savings in construction costs or contributions from grants or donors would be used to reduce the amount the City had to bond or repay the bonds early. 9. Why doesn t the City pay for the facility with grants? Over the past ten years, City Council members and staff have met with legislators at the State and Federal level to try and find grants for the construction of the facility. At this time, there are no grants or Federal funding for brick and mortar projects. There are grants available for aspects of the project, such as technology, communication, and solar/energy saving projects. To apply and qualify for these funds, the project has to be funded and ready for construction. Staff is prepared to research and apply for grants once the project is funded and ready to be built. Any contributions or grants the City secured would be used to reduce the cost of the bond amount or used to pay off the bonds early. 10. What financing mechanism would be used to pay the bonds? There are three possible financing options the City is considering. Before selecting an option, the City Council directed staff to gather community input on a preferred method. The three options are a General Obligation Bond (G.O. Bond), Flat Rate Parcel Tax, and a Parcel Tax based on square footage. General Obligation Bond A General Obligation Bond is a municipal bond backed by the credit and taxing power of the issuing jurisdiction. Local governments raise property taxes as needed to repay the bonds, as is specifically allowed under Proposition 13. Under a General Obligation Bond, property owners are assessed based on the appraised value of their home. Churches, non profit organizations, educational institutions, colleges, and government agencies are exempt from G.O. bond assessments. The G.O. bond assessment for the Police Facility is approximately $31.08 per $100,000 in assessed value of the property. Parcel Tax (Flat Rate) A Parcel Tax is a form of property tax assessed at a rate based on the characteristics of a "parcel," rather than on the assessed value of the property. A flat rate Parcel Tax assesses the same amount to all parcels regardless of size or assessed value. There are no exemptions to a Parcel Tax. The assessment for a flat rate Parcel Tax for the Police Facility is $ per parcel. Parcel Tax (Square Footage)

6 The Parcel Tax based on square footage is based on the size of the building on a parcel. The larger the size of the building, the more the property owner pays. There are no exemptions. The assessment on a Parcel Tax based on square footage is 5.03 cents per square foot of building area. Comparison Chart of Financing Options General Obligation (G.O.) Bonds Parcel Tax (Rate per Square Foot) Parcel Tax (Flat Rate per Parcel) Voter Approval Two Thirds Tax Basis Ad Valorem (Rate per Unit of Assessed Value) Flat Rate per Square Foot of Building Flat Rate per Parcel Exemptions Educational Institutions, Churches, Non Profits, Colleges None Annual Debt Service $1.44 Million $1.53 Million Total Debt Service $36.06 Million $38.33 Million Tax Rate $31.08 per $100,000 in Assessed Value 5.03 cents per Square Foot of Building Area $ per Parcel 11. What is the definition of a parcel? A parcel is a unit of land designated for taxation. The Los Angeles County Assessor s office is responsible for assessing property tax assessment values. Parcels may be residential, commercial, educational/institutional, industrial, or recreational. Under a parcel tax all property owners of a parcel pay the tax. 12. Have the Claremont Colleges offered to contribute to the funding of the facility? The Claremont Colleges have indicated they would be willing to contribute $750,000 $1 million. The Colleges have their own Campus Safety officers to handle most incidents on campus. Campus Security calls the Claremont Police Department when an incident requires an arrest, investigation, or a police intervention. The Colleges account for approximately 3% of the Police Department calls for service annually. The Colleges have expressed their willingness to contribute the amount equal to their calls for service.

7 13. How does Claremont s projected station size and cost compare with other recently built police stations?. The difficulty in comparing square footage costs or project cost is that each station varies greatly. Factors that affect the total cost include: Agency Cost of land (included or not) Site work grading, slope, curbs, gutters, landscaping, environmental cleanup, demolition. Claremont site has 6% slope. Number of stories and amenities included in building (gun range, community rooms, jail facility, evidence storage, etc.). Phased construction Claremont construction will be phased to allow operations to continue at existing site. Demolition of existing site is included in cost. Timing code requirements change each year, price of materials and labor fluctuates based on market demand. Project costs may include other expenses not just building construction (furnishings, computers, radios, permits, legal expenses, etc.) Service Population Square Footage Square Footage Per 1,000 Total Cost Year Completed Turner Building Cost Index * Cost including TBC Cost Per Square Foot Montclair 38,000 47,000 1,237 $35,642, % $37,888,133 $806 San Dimas (LASD) San Gabriel 33,840 41,000 1,212 $47,493, % $48,253,085 $1,177 40,000 38, $27,352,000 Not built $27,352,000 $710 Signal Hill 12,000 21,500 1,792 $17,493, % $17,860,940 $831 Whittier 104,000 55, $37,804, % $36,292,439 $660 Claremont 35,000 26, Estimated Not built $24,250,000 $933 The Turner Building Cost Index tracks labor rates & productivity, material prices, etc. The San Gabriel station has not been built. The cost included in the table is based on a 2014 bid and 2010 building codes.

8 The Claremont cost is an estimate that includes 10% contingency and Claremont s Total Cost of $24,250,000 reflects cost minus radio budget. Claremont used the same cost estimator as Whittier and Signal Hill, which were both completed under budget. 14. What would the different property types pay under a G.O. Bond versus a Parcel Tax? Annual G.O Bond Assessments Percentage total of Annual Parcel Tax Assessments Percentage Colleges $16, % $185, % Non Profits $23, % $48, % Residential $1,246, % $1,045, % Commercial $142, $253, % Vacant $13, % $0 0% TOTAL $1,442, % $1,533, % 15. I wasn t able to attend a tour of the station, how can I see the condition of the existing station? The Police Department is happy to schedule a tour for residents. Residents may call the station at (909) to arrange a tour. The City also has a video that shows the condition of the station posted on the City website When will the City Council make a decision on the finance option and possible ballot measure? The City Council is scheduled to review the public feedback on the Police Facility at its December 12, 2017 City Council Meeting. Once a finance option is selected, the Council may vote to bring back ballot language to place the item before voters.