In December 2022, the Police Department Ad Hoc Committee was developed to reengage the Police Building Project that had previously been adopted as a Capital Improvement project in 2017, and subsequently placed on hold in 2020 due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

In June 2023, Council awarded a professional Services Agreement with Indigo/ Hammond+Playle Architects (Indigo) for $300,000 to provide the following services:  

1.  Condition assessment report

2.  Space programming report

3.  Two design schematics

4.  Final Report with cost estimates and schedules

In January 2024, after multiple meetings, the Ad Hoc Committee presented the results of the building condition assessment, the Police Department programing effort, and recommended next steps to the City Council at a public meeting.  At this meeting a decision was made by Council to halt the project until there was more information provided to the public and the public had sufficient opportunity to review project needs and justification.

Over the last 6 months, the Ad Hoc committee has held multiple public listening sessions, conducted three public tours of the existing facility and one tour of the new Salinas Police Facility. The Ad Hoc Committee and the participants in the community meetings agree that the time has come for the City Council to make a decision and remobilize the project development effort.

Following the most recent public listening session on June 6th, the Ad Hoc Committee is unified in their desire to move a project forward to improve the Police Building.  However, the two members are currently split in their recommended approach for how to move the project forward.  Taking into consideration the Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation(s) below, the full Council should provide direction to staff regarding the next steps in the Police Building Project.  Specifically, Council is being asked whether to authorize Indigo/Hammond+Playle to proceed in one of two directions:

1. Focus efforts on the current building only, and prepare schematic design concepts for the Police Building Project Options #1 & #2 (both at existing site), or;
2. Prepare a schematic design concept for Police Building Project Option #3 (Vista Lobos) in addition to either one or both of Police Building Project Options #1 & #2. 

Here is a summary of each Police Building Project Option:

Option #1:  Rehabilitate and expand the existing building on-site to accommodate the pragmatic functions of a contemporary police building.

Option #2:  Demolish and rebuild the existing Police Building including the space used by Public Works and rebuild a structure that can meet the needs of a contemporary police facility and accommodate the Public Works Department. 

Option #3:  Explore the feasibility of building a police facility on a new site.  Including this option would provide an additional cost analysis for comparison of the three options and help in the consideration of a final project.

All three options were presented as staff recommendations to the Council in the January 8, 2024 Council Meeting. 

The Ad Hoc Committee members will be prepared to discuss considerations related to both approaches with the full Council.  

Council appropriated $3,239,000 in Fiscal Year 2023/24 for this Capital Improvement Project. The current unencumbered balance is approximately $2,600,000.

Approximately $599,020 has been expended or encumbered as follows:

• Indigo/Hammond & Playle Architects = $300,000
• 4Leaf Project Management = $129,780
• Electrical Panel repairs = $54,000
• Dispatch Room essential renovation = $16,000
• Electrical Repairs in Dispatch = $41,360
• Security System repairs = $28,730
• IT Cabling repairs = $20,650
• Steel Fire Doors repairs = $5,000
• Roof leaks repairs = $3,500

Additional Schematic Design Cost

The current contract with Indigo/Hammond+Playle includes two (2) schematic designs to be produced, at the cost of $50,000 each.  This cost would stay the same regardless of which two schematic designs are produced.  If Council wishes to have a third schematic design produced, the additional cost would be $50,000.  

December 2022, the Ad Hoc Committee of Mayor Potter and Councilmember Baron was created to develop a set of recommendations on the way forward.

June 2023, Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Indigo Architects to assess the current building condition, develop the recommended program for a modern Police facility, and develop concept designs for 2 options.

January 2024 Study Session, Council received public comments and requested staff to pursue moving forward with the architect on schematic designs, subject to Council approval of a resolution.