HomeMy WebLinkAbout20-Fire Department
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO - REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTIO
From:
Michael J. Comad, Fire Chief
Subject: Authorization for the Fire Chief to proceed with the
remodel of Fire Station 224 and approve a budget
amendment for the project.
Dept: Fire
Date:
August 19, 2008
MC/C Meeting Date:
September 2, 2008
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
07/02/07
Resolution 2007-215 adopting Amendment Number One to Resolution No. 2004-82, which is a
Side Letter to Resolution No. 1999-54, for full-time, regular, active fire safety employees.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the Fire Chief to proceed with the remodel of Fire Station 224; and
2. Authorize the Director of Finance to appropriate $183,100 from Fire Development Impact Fee Funds in Fiscal
Year 2008/2009 to appropriate accounts, in accordance with this staff report.
~/
Contact Person: Michael J. Comad. Fire Chief
Phone: (909) 384-5286
Supporting data attached: StaffReoort
Ward:
7
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount:
Source:
$300.000
See StaffReoort
Finance:
Council Notes:
Agenda Item No. '7/l
If.. 2. -OS
STAFF REPORT
SUBJECT:
Authorization for the Fire Chief to proceed with the remodel of Fire Station 224 and
approve a budget amendment for the project.
BACKGROUND:
Fire Station 224 is a 42 year old structure that is in need of modernization and
enlargement to accommodate the needs of the Fire Department. The station was
originally designed for a crew of 4 firefighters; today it houses 7 firefighters and a
Battalion Chief. The office space has been converted to living quarters requiring the
Captains to do paperwork and employee counseling in the same area where they sleep.
The exercise equipment is on the apparatus floor where the heat and diesel soot limits its
use and value. The kitchen and dining area is crowded and outdated as are the sleeping
areas and laundry facilities.
In an effort to provide funds to do a major station remodel, management approached the
Union in early 2007 and requested a modification to the Side Letter to the MOU
regarding the hiring of new firefighters. The new agreement called for delaying the hiring
of the 3 new firefighters from July 2007 to May of 2008. The $180,000 savings in salary
for these positions was provided to the Fire Department to fund critically needed station
maintenance projects including the remodel of Fire Station 224.
The actual design of the remodel project has been a work in progress over the last year as
we researched various options. After our analysis, the final and best option is the addition
of a 2000 sq. ft. second story to the existing structure.
As has been the practice with other remodeling projects within the Fire Department over
the years, a substantial amount of the skilled labor will be provided by Fire Department
personnel either on regular duty or on overtime. Many members of our department are
licensed contractors in various trades and fully capable of completing this project. Using
our own workforce allows us to stretch the funds we have and accomplish this project
that would be unaffordable if contracted out. Our cost is estimated at $250,000 to
$300,000 if we do this project as "ownerlbuilder". Contracting out this entire project at
the current going rate for Fire Station construction would translate to a cost in the
$500,000+ range. We will contract with local contractors for a number of the skilled tasks
necessary to complete the project. The use of department personnel has been discussed
with the Union who is in full support of this project. In addition, this project has been
reviewed by the City Attorney's Office, Development Services, and Facilities
Management.
The design of the addition was accomplished by the architecture firm of Steven-Paul-
Murray. Coordination and oversight for the project will be provided by Facilities
I
.
Management with Jim Sharer serving as the Project Manager. Facilities Management will
conduct the bid process for various tasks that require outside services. And, Facilities
Management will come back to the Mayor and Common Council for approval to
establish this development as a CIP project and to award various contracts. Since the fire
station is defined as a critical structure in the California Building Code, Development
Services will provide a dedicated, on-site inspector whenever work is in progress.
The time planned for completion of this project is approximately 4 months from the date
of approval to go forward. During that time period, the crews who are stationed there will
be housed in rented trailers that are installed on the property to the rear of the fire station.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total estimated cost to remodel Fire Station 224 is $300,000 which includes all
personnel and overtime costs for the Fire Department, Development Services, and
Facilities. On July 2,2007, as a result of a Side Letter Agreement negotiated between the
City and the Fire Union, $180,000 was budgeted in the FY 2007-2008 budget for various
Fire Station maintenance/repairs and Fire Station 224 remodel. Since the Fire Station
224 remodel was not completed in FY 2007-2008 there is about $116,900 of funds not
expended out of the original $180,000 in FY 2007-2008. The Fire Department has
requested that Finance put this $116,900 on the encumbrance and continuing
appropriations list for the Council to approve as a carry over into FY 2008-2009 for the
Fire Station 224 remodel.
In order to complete the station remodel in FY 2008-2009 an additional $183,100 of
funding is needed. The Fire Department recommends that this additional funding come
from the Fire's Development Impact Fee Fund (DIFF) as this is an eligible use of these
funds. It is therefore requested that the Finance Director be authorized to amend the FY
2008-2009 budget to appropriate $183,100 of Fire DIFF for the purpose of remodeling
Fire Station 224 with $80,100 going to materials/supplies/contractual and $103,000 going
to personnel to cover salaries and overtime charged to the remodel project by Fire,
Development Services, and Facilities.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize the Fire Chiefto proceed with the remodel of fire station 224; and
2. Authorize the Director of Finance to appropriate $183,100 from Fire Development
Impact Fee Funds in Fiscal Year 2008/2009 to appropriate accounts, in accordance
with this staff report.
2