Receive a report on the status of the Police and Public Works Building Project and provide any updated policy guidance deemed necessary on the following topics being discussed:

1. Review and provide policy guidance on the existing needs analysis, including the Ad Hoc Committee’s proposed new spacing requirements.

2.  Determine if the City Council is interested in exploring the “tear down and rebuild option” as previously discussed at the February 10th, 2025 meeting, or if retention of the existing building and a substantial remodel is preferred.  

3. Provide direction to staff on whether to continue with Indigo as the architecture firm or to explore other options.  

At the March 27th Special City Council Meeting, Staff presented a status report on the Carmel Police and Public Works Building Project.  At the conclusion of the report, the Council elected to form an Ad Hoc Committee composed of Mayor Byrne and Council Member Baron with support from staff.  The Ad Hoc was tasked with taking a closer look at the Needs Analysis provided by Indigo as well as the spacing requirements needed for the Police and Public Works project. An emphasis was made to focus on the needs analysis and determining what is required and what could be considered discretionary.

Over the past three months, multiple meetings have been held by the Ad Hoc Committee to review the program needs analysis for both the Police and public Works functions. The group focused on analyzing the spacing requirements made by Indigo as well as justifying the needs for each department.

The Attachments 1 & 2 include the original needs analysis prepared by Indigo with updated columns to show the progression of changes made by the Ad Hoc and staff over the life of this project.    Both the Police and Public Works spacing requirements identify the existing total spacing, as well as the proposed spacing by indigo, the modified spacing requirements from the March 27th 2025 meeting, and the Ad Hoc Committees updated spacing requirements after working with staff.   

Through the Ad Hoc Committee’s work, several spacing changes have been made and the overall footprint of the building and parking has been reduced significantly. One consideration that was made during the Ad Hoc meetings was the need to incorporate off-street parking spaces for staff to reduce the impact of on-street parking. The adjustments provided in this presentation do not consider additional parking needs for staff working in both departments.  

The Ad Hoc Committee also took into consideration Council’s comments from the March 27th Meeting and focused on reducing spacing needs and working to fit all the needs for both department’s functions on the existing location.    

The following is a breakdown of the overall spacing changes made through the Ad Hoc Committee meetings.  Further details of each element of the spacing requirements can be found in the included attachments.  

Police Function: (Building) - Interior Space 

            NET AREA                                                      GROSS AREA        
Existing Total:  5974 sq. ft.                                          7800 sq. ft.

Indigo Recommended: 11,925 sq. ft.                          17,190 sq. ft.

Ad Hoc Recommended: 6260 sq. ft.                           7260 sq. ft. 

Changes in spacing in this area included the removal of the police firing range, reduced sizing of offices and the elimination of additional offices determined to be not essential.  

Police Function: (Site Space) - Exterior Space

            NET AREA                                                        GROSS AREA         
Existing Total: 17,180 sq. ft.                                           23,000 sq. ft.   

Indigo Recommendation:  22,543 sq. ft.                         24,125 sq. ft. 

Ad Hoc Recommended: 10,900 sq. ft.                           (determined by size of plaza)

A major portion of the Ad Hoc recommended area includes 9000 sq. ft for staff and police vehicle parking.   The rest is for ADA access ramp, Kennels, and Storage.  

Public Works Function: (Building) - Interior Space 

           NET AREA                     
Existing Total:  4165 sq. ft. 

Indigo Recommendation: 6018 sq. ft. 

Ad Hoc Recommended: 3650 sq. ft. 

Changes in spacing involve the reduction in room sizes and the elimination of non-essential office space.  

Public Works Function: (Site Space) - Exterior Space

           NET AREA                           
Existing Total: 32,660 sq. ft. 

Indigo Recommended: 26,422 sq. ft. 

Ad Hoc Recommended: 22,206 sq. ft.

Changes in Site Spacing include the removal of Log Storage and reductions in Operations Space. In doing so we also eliminate the need for a Corporation Yard.  

The Ad Hoc Committee is presenting these updated spacing needs analysis to help guide the next set of council decisions on the Police and Public Works Building Project.

In the 2023 Assessment report and at the March 27th 2025 Special Council meeting several major deficiencies were also identified with the building.  These structural and Mechanical deficiencies should also be considered in the future decisions made by council regarding this project. The improvements needed to address these deficiencies include:

• Site Accessibility

• Site Drainage to include repairing leaks into the building from roofs and patio

• Earthquake retrofitting

• Replacement of the Boiler and HVAC System

• Replacement of the existing Fire Alarm System

• Replacement of the aging Plumbing System

• Replacement of the Electrical Systems impacted by water intrusion

The Ad Hoc Committee and Staff are seeking guidance from the council on the next steps of this project.  Direction is needed on the following items:

1. Is Council comfortable with the spacing requirement changes provided by the Ad Hoc Committee?  

2.  Does Council want to explore the “tear down and rebuild option” as previously discussed at the February 10th, 2025 meeting, or is retention of the existing building and a substantial remodel preferred?  

3.  Provide direction to Staff on whether to continue with Indigo as the architecture firm or to explore other options.   

December 2022, City Council appoints Police Building AD Hoc Committee.

June 2023, City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Indigo Architects to assess the current building systems and develop recommended programs for an adequate police facility.

January 2024, City Council study session to receive public comments and direction moving forward on developing schematic designs.

February 2025, City Council met to receive an updated report on the Police and Public Works Building project.

March 2025, City Council received an Updated report on the Police and Public Works Building Project.