REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
September 22, 2016
THROUGH: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
FROM: JERRY P. DYER, Chief of Police
Police Department
BRIAN MARSHALL, Director
Transportation Department
BY: WILMA QUAN-SCHECTER, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to a new Southeast Police Substation and Bus Rapid Transit Station:
1. Adopt a finding of conformity prepared for Environmental Assessment No. EA-16-011 dated July 1, 2016, for the construction of a police substation and Bus Rapid Transit station.
2. Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Fresno and the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno in the amount of $500,000 for the purchase of certain property at Argyle and Tulare Avenues (Assessor Parcel Numbers 313-021-02T and 313-021-03T).
3. ***RESOLUTION - 14th amendment to the Annual Appropriations Resolution (AAR) No. 2016-118 appropriating $553,000 for the purpose of purchasing certain property for the future construction of a police substation and a Bus Rapid Transit station. (Requires 5 affirmative votes)
4. RESOLUTION - Accepting donation of design development plans for the Southeast Police Substation from Fancher Creek Properties, LLC.
5. Uphold the City Manager’s determination that Scott Beck is uniquely qualified to provide architectural services.
6. Approve a Professional Consulting Services Agreement with Scott Beck, in the amount of $52,690 for architectural services.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council:
1. Adopt a finding of conformity prepared for Environmental Assessment No. EA-16-011 dated July 1, 2016, for the construction of a police substation and Bus Rapid Transit station.
2. Approve a Purchase and Sale Agreement between the City of Fresno and the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno in the amount of $500,000 for the purchase of certain property at Argyle and Tulare Avenues (Assessor Parcel Numbers 313-021-02T and 313-021-03T).
3. Approve 14th Amendment to the AAR No. 2016-118 appropriating $553,000 for the purpose of purchasing certain property for the future construction of a police substation and a Bus Rapid Transit station.
4. Adopt the resolution accepting the donation of design development plans for the Southeast Police Substation from Fancher Creek Properties, LLC.
5. Uphold the City Manager’s determination that Scott Beck is uniquely qualified to provide architectural services.
6. Approve the agreement for professional architectural services for the Southeast Police Substation, in the amount of $52,690 and authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the agreement.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Due to the growing need for a larger, more efficient substation in southeast Fresno, staff recommends that Council adopt the finding of conformity prepared for EA-16-011 and approve a purchase and sale agreement between the City of Fresno and the Housing Authority of the City of Fresno (FHA) for two parcels for the future construction of a police substation and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station. The property (APNs 313-021-02T and 313-021-03T) is approximately 4.15 acres and is generally located at the southeast corner of Argyle and Tulare Avenues within the City of Fresno.
In addition, staff recommends that Council accept the donation of partially completed development plans for a police substation, with a value of $60,100, and approve a professional architectural services agreement with Scott Beck to finish the design of a southeast police substation adjacent to the Fancher Creek mixed use development project. Mr. Beck is uniquely qualified to provide architectural services for the southeast police substation because of his design work to date and the level of completion of the architectural plans.
The Department of Transportation intends to develop the northern most parcel for use as a future BRT station. To ensure availability of the land, the Department plans to use State Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to purchase the two parcels as a short-term investment in real property. The property recently appraised for $696,000; however, the FHA is willing to sell the property to the City for $500,000. The land purchase and planned BRT station are consistent with the Department’s long range transit plans.
The Department plans to enter into a future ground lease with the Police Department for construction of a future police substation on the southernmost parcel. This will meet the Department of Transportation’s goal of maintaining the property as an investment, with the added benefit of having a police substation located next to the future BRT station.
BACKGROUND
The existing police substation serving this area is located near the Fresno Fairgrounds and does not have enough room for its officers nor adequate parking. Additionally the future growth pattern and projected policing boundaries for southeast Fresno are inconsistent with the substation’s current location at Cedar and Butler Avenues. The Fancher Creek neighborhood is an ideal location due to its central location within the boundaries of the Southeast Policing District, and its proximity to freeway access. The new southeast substation will serve as the base for police operations in the district, be fully staffed and operational day and night.
There are two contiguous parcels totaling approximately 4.15 acres available on the southwest corner of Argyle and Tulare Avenues, near State Route 180 and Clovis Avenue. The property is located where the Department of Transportation plans to place a future BRT station and is adjacent to the proposed Fancher Creek community. The property is owned by the FHA and recently appraised for $696,000; however, the FHA is willing to sell the property to the City for $500,000. To ensure the availability of the land, the Transportation Department plans to purchase both parcels as a short term investment in real property. State TDA funds will be used to fund this purchase.
The Department of Transportation will maintain the parcels until they are developed and plans to enter into a future ground lease with the Police Department for construction of a future police substation on the southernmost parcels. The land purchase and the planned development of a BRT station at this location are consistent with the Department’s long range transit plans. The location of a police substation adjacent to the BRT station is an added benefit to the Department and to transit customers. The Department relies on the Fresno Police Department for transit security services, funding eight police officers and a sergeant each fiscal year. The proximity of the police substation to the BRT station will provide convenience, as well as an increased level of security to transit customers.
The proposed Fancher Creek community is designed to include 1.2 million square feet of commercial/retail, lifestyle and restaurant space, 740 multifamily residential units, offices and civic uses, as well as a plaza, and recreation area for visitors to enjoy. The developers of Fancher Creek are focused on creating an environment that serves the community and have incorporated several design aspects to the project for public benefit including a proposed police substation and BRT station. As such, the developer initially entered into an agreement with Scott Beck to design the proposed police substation. City staff has determined that it is in the best interests of the City to accept the donation of the partially completed plans, valuing $60,100, from Fancher Creek Properties, LLC.
The Police Department wishes to enter into a professional architectural services agreement in the amount of $52,690 with Scott Beck to finish the design of the southeast police substation. Mr. Beck is uniquely qualified to provide architectural services for the southeast police substation because of his design work to date and the level of completion of the architectural plans. The partnership with the City and Developer will mutually benefit all the parties and the community by providing a much needed police substation that will be better situated to serve all of southeast Fresno.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
An initial study was prepared for the above-described project, which resulted in a determination that it is a subsequent project fully within the scope of the Master Environmental Impact Report (MEIR) prepared for the Fresno General Plan (SCH # 2012111015); pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15177. With the mitigation imposed, there is no substantial evidence in the record that this project may have additional significant, direct, indirect or cumulative effects on the environment that are significant and that were not identified and analyzed in the MEIR and no new additional mitigation measures or alternatives beyond those included in the MEIR are required. In addition, staff has determined no substantial changes have occurred with respect to the circumstances under which the MEIR was certified and that no new information, which was not known and could not have been known at the time that the MEIR was certified as complete, has become available. The project is not located on a site which is included on any of the lists enumerated under Section 65962.5 of the Government Code including, but not limited to, lists of hazardous waste facilities, land designated as hazardous waste property, hazardous waste disposal sites and others, and the information in the Hazardous Waste and Substances Statement required under subdivision (f) of that Section. Finally, all feasible mitigation measures from the MEIR that are applicable to this project have been incorporated. Therefore, any necessary environmental review required by CEQA has been completed for the project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because Mr. Beck is uniquely qualified to perform the services.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $500,000 for the purchase of the property will be paid with State TDA funds that have already been received by the Department of Transportation. The purchase of property will have no impact on the General Fund.
The architectural service agreement amount of $52,690 will be paid through UGM Police Facility Fees, and have no impact on the General Fund.
An Annual Appropriations Resolution is attached to appropriate funds for the purchase of the property and for the architectural services agreement.
Attachments:
Environmental Assessment No. EA-16-011
Purchase and Sale Agreement
14th Annual Appropriations Resolution No. 2016-118
Resolution accepting donation of design development plans
Scott Beck Professional Consultant Services Agreement