Title
Discussion and Possible Action of Site Selection for the Fire Station 4 Replacement Project
Recommended Action
I move that the County Council approve Site Option ______ (A, B, or C) for the Fire Station 4 Replacement Project.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council select Site Option A.
Body
On June 25, 2024, Council approved Services Agreement No. AGR 24-51 with Vega Architecture LLC for site study and design of Fire Station 4. In July 2024, a Project Team consisting of staff from the Public Works Department, Fire Department, Public Information Office and the design professional met to discuss site selection process and formulate a public engagement strategy as part of the first phase of the project.
To maintain adequate response times, three county-owned properties were identified and evaluated as possible locations for a new, state-of-the-art fire station. These sites include the following options:
- Option A: Existing Fire Station 4 property off Diamond Drive
- Option B: The site adjacent to the eastern end of Golf Course off San Ildefonso Road
- Option C: An area of open space off North Mesa Road
The architect and their team of design professionals began work on evaluating these sites which considered topography, access to utilities, and impacts to natural resources such as trees, open space and trails as detailed in the presentation. See Attachment A.
The public engagement process began in September 2024. This process included various in-person public meetings, an online survey, and other outreach. See Attachment B for survey results, Attachment C for Public Comment matrix, and Attachment D for a full list of public input process. The project architect also engaged various consultants to obtain extensive site evaluation data to compare three sites which is shown in Attachment E.
Upon Council approval of a site option, the Project Team can proceed to the pre-design and design phases of the project.
Alternatives
Council could choose Site Option A, B or C. Option A has overwhelming public support.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Unplanned Item
Funding for project study and design is budgeted and available through the Fire Marshal Distribution Fund.
Additional project funding in the total amount of $9,997,500 was approved in FY2024 and FY2025 and is programmed in the CIP Fund which includes $2M made available through a State Legislative Capital Outlay Appropriation.
Attachments
A - Fire Station 4 Replacement Project Presentation
B - Public Survey and Results
C - Public Comment Matrix
D - Public Input Process
E - Site Evaluation Data