Title
ORDINANCE NO. 3335 AMENDING THE LONGVIEW MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY AND EXPAND THE PERMISSABLE USES OF SURPLUS MONEYS IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY FUND
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Continue effective financial management
Enhance public safety and emergency response
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: REQUIRED
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
The Longview police station was originally a bank building, acquired by the city and partially remodeled in 1999 with the intent of further remodeling later to add office space. The building lacks adequate facilities for officers to conduct investigations and interviews without interruption, maintain confidentiality, and properly process and store evidence during investigations. A proposed remodel would add 3,400 square feet of finished office and working space and improve 520 square feet of existing work area to address functional issues and allow detective, patrol, and other assigned officers to work more efficiently as units and individually.
Improvements would include offices and work stations, interview rooms, evidence processing space, file storage space, a conference room, and the necessary electrical, mechanical, plumbing, communication, and security systems to support the new spaces. In addition, replacement of the building’s HVAC system would correct ongoing heating and cooling deficiencies; the existing system is beyond its useful life, dating back to 1968.
Because the full extent and complexity of a remodel is difficult to reasonably determine in advance, Collins Architectural Group was retained to prepare a design and cost estimate. Based on the 20% design, the total remodel project cost, including replacement of the entire building HVAC system, is estimated at $1,142,000 including 30% contingency. A plan to finance the project using the public safety fund was contemplated by the council earlier this year, but ultimately rejected when an ordinance to expand the permissible uses of moneys in the public safety fund, including for law enforcement capital facilities and equipment, was defeated (Ordinance No. 3320 on May 26, 2016).
More recently (during discussion of capital improvement projects to be included in the 2017-2018 budget that took place during a workshop on October 20), councilmembers indicated their willingness to revisit that issue in order to pay for the police station remodel project without have to finance it over time. As a result of that discussion, a new ordinance (No. 3335 attached) has been prepared for council consideration that is identical to No. 3320 in terms of the expanded permissible uses of public safety fund moneys i.e., adding street lighting, pedestrian street crossings and sidewalks, law enforcement capital facilities and equipment, and street maintenance equipment.
The recommended 2017-2018 biennial budget anticipates a beginning balance of $2.3 million and an ending balance of $745,000 after all revenues and expenditures are accounted for, including completion of the police station remodel project.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3335.
STAFF CONTACT:
Dave Campbell, City Manager
Kurt Sacha, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director
Jim McNamara, City Attorney