HomeMy WebLinkAboutRelocation of Police Substation Westfield to Visitor Information Center at Hwy 111/Monterey Aver�°ki�GJV E D
REQUEST:
DATE:
CONTENTS:
SUBMITTED BY:
Recommendation:
PALM DESERT POLICE
DEPARTMENT
Served by the Riverside County Sheriffs Department
Bob Doyle, Sheriff - Coroner
BUG 18 2005
PALM OESERT
MI►NAGER
Bob Doyle, Sheriff- Coroner
Positional Paper - Relocate Mall Sub Station to the soon to be vacated
Visitors Information Center located at HWY 111 and Monterey Avenue
August 18, 2005
Staff report from September 23, 2004 Council Meeting
Minutes from September 8, 2004, Public Safety Commission Meeting
Lieutenant Steve Thetford, ACOP Palm Desert Police Department
By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendation of the Police Department to relocate the
mail Sub Station to the existing Visitors Information Center once it is vacated.
Background:
On September 23, 2004 the City Council approved the recommendations to 1) Authorize the
Police Department and staff to finalize negotiations with Westfield Mall to move into a
temporary Sub Station location on the north side of the mall next to the theaters and 2) consider
the existing Visitors Information Center for the future Police Department Sub Station.'
The Police Department made some very minor improvements to the current Mall Sub Station
location and began to utilize this location as of November 2004. This Sub Station was used for
staff meetings, as a report writing area, and for staff staging for our patrol officers during the
2004 Holiday Theft Suppression Program. This site is also currently being used by our patrol
staff for report writing and public service information on a daily basis.
The current Mall Sub Station was opened to maintain higher visibility for the business area
(specifically Westfield Mall) pending the location of a more suitable location, preferably one that
provides higher visibility for our general business area. We entered into a month to month lease
with Westfield Mall for our current temporary location and have recently been advised that they
have a potential permanent tenant for the site that we now occupy.
The Visitors Information Center is "Turn Key", in that once it is vacated the Police Department
would be able to move into the location with better visibility and present a more professional
appearance.
' Attached Staff Report from September 23, 2004.
The current Visitors Information Center has separate public and staff access points, much needed
office space, restrooms, small conference room, storage, finished counter / reception area, and a
sufficient number of dedicated parking spaces. This site would continue to be used for our patrol
staff to write reports, for the staging point and operation center for the 2005 Holiday Theft
Suppression Program, and for public information and community support services (E.g... File for
Life, Vacant Property Check, You are Not Alone, and Alzheimer's registration programs).
This site is located in a strategic part of our city should we need to provide enhanced patrol
services once the future Police Headquarters facility is relocated to a more central location north
of the existing Sheriffs facility. The fact that this site is owned by the City is also very
beneficial in that it provides a neutral point of service for the entire business area and it
eliminates the fact that the current site is subject to Westfield Mall's need to lease the site to a
permanent tenant. Relocating the Mall Sub Station to the current Visitors Information Center
(once vacated) will still allow the Police Department to continue to provide a Police presence for
the mall (as initially requested) and provide better visibility for the other businesses in the area as
well.
We would therefore request that City Council concur with the recommendation of the Police
Department to relocate the mall Sub Station to the existing Visitors Information Center once it is
vacated.
Cost Analysis:
The City of Palm Desert is currently paying $26 a month for the month to month lease of the
existing Mall Sub Station located on the north side of the mall next to the theaters plus utilities
(Phone/Electrical). If the Council approves this recommendation it would be expected that the
electrical and phone services (that we are currently paying) would remain consistent. There may
be some initial one time additional costs associated with moving to the new location such as,
signs/graphics and minor interior touch up.
The following are the estimated costs associated to this location,
Phone Service - $350.00 per month x 12 = $4,200
Electrical - $150.00 per month x 12 = $1,800
Estimated Total Annual Expense: $6,000
2
CITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES/ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Recommendation from Public Safety Commission Relative to a Police
Substation at Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert
DATE: September 23, 2004
CONTENTS: Minutes from September 8, 2004, Public Safety Commission Meeting
SUBMITTED BY: Sheila R. Gilligan, Assistant City Manager for Community Services
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendation of the Public Safety
Commission and authorize the Police Department and staff to finalize
negotiations on move -in by November, 2004; and,
2. By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendation of the Public Safety
Commission that the existing Visitor Information Center be considered for a
future commercial substation for the Police Department once it is vacated.
Executive Summary: Approval of the Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert substation
would provide additional security for the Mall as well as visibility for the Palm Desert Police
Department. This facility is being created on a temporary basis, and is in response to a
request from Westfield.
Once vacated, the central location of the existing Visitor Information Center at Highway 111
and Monterey is felt to be an ideal location for a future permanent substation for the
commercial district.
Discussion: The Police Department moved out of Westfield when renovation and
remodeling of that facility began. With that departure, the City opened the police substation
in the north sphere on Washington Street to serve a portion of the community which was
removed from the actual downtown Palm Desert main Police station.
Recommendation from Public Safety Commission Relative to a Police Substation at
Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert
September 23, 2004
Page Two
Westfield is nearing completion and because of its corporate program for homeland security,
is most anxious to have the presence of our Police Department. Initial discussions provided
for a $1/month space which had little visibility and/or access to the Mall. Lt. Thetford has
worked with representatives of Westfield over the last two months in coming up with a better
location which has resulted in the temporary use of the old Swenson's restaurant building.
Tenant improvements for the facility initially offered would have been in excess of $100,000,
funding for which was the responsibility of the City. The restaurant facility requires minimal
improvement, and funding can be provided through the Police Contingency Fund.
Consistent with previous years, the Police Department will implement the extra holiday
security program in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday. This new substation would
provide an opportunity to house Community Services Officers and additional deputies
involved in the program from which it can operate. Once the holiday season is over, it will
continue to operate until such time as a decision is made on the old Visitor Information
Center.
At its meeting of September 8, 2004, the Public Safety Commission voted unanimously to
support both recommendations. Lt. Thetford and I will be available at the meeting to answer
any questions the Council may have.
Subftfltted By:
. i
i
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SHEILA R. GILLIGAN '
Assistant City Manager fo Community Services
Approval:
CARLOS L. O GA
City Manager
PAUL GIBSON
Finance Director
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PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 8, 2004
deputies gained a great deal of knowledge on crisis intervention
and identifying trauma in children which can be applied to
situations. Lincoln Elementary School recently received a grant
for buildings to be used for a counseling program, and something
may be worked out with them. Westminster has a public service
program that identifies school children with a high potential for
trauma that has been effective. Schools will be used as resource,
and spot counseling can be conducted.
There was discussion about the valley -wide program starting in
Cathedral City. Lt. Thetford mentioned that this is a different type
of program (focusing on shut-ins) with many facets.
The counselors who worked with the PACT program are still in the
valley and work for DPSS, Child Protective Services, or Social
Services. The Department has a good working -relationship with
these agencies and they will be a valuable resource.
There was discussion about the T.I.P. Program operated through
CVAG. This is an adult program providing support in times of
disaster such as earthquakes, crimes, fire. Those involved are not
trained professionals as were PACT personnel.
Motion to remove from agenda carried 3-0.
D. Consideration of Palm Desert Target Team Monthly Statistics for
July, 2004.
Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file.
Motion by Commissioner Lebel, seconded by Commissioner
Butrbach, to receive and file report. Motion carried 3.0.
E. Request from Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert to provide a
staffed substation at the Mail.
Rec: Oral report and recommendation to be provided by Lt.
Thetford.
Lt. Thetford reported that he attended a meeting with Mayor
Spiegel, Sheila Gilligan, and Norine Bowen of Westfield. Westfield
would like police presence back at the Mail, and offered a 1564 sq.
ft. undeveloped space. The cost to renovate would have been
approximately $100,000. An alternative was suggested and
Cr \GtyCIra&arm Ru sn\Public Safely Commission ZOW%SLprembct Mmutc %nA 4
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION
SEPTEMBER 8, 2004
the Mall offered space in the old Swenson's restaurant. The goal is
to get in before Thanksgiving and before the start of the Christmas
program. This location could serve as the command post for the
bicycle posse, the search and rescue volunteers, and CSO's. With
minimal work, the former restaurant space can be utilized for a
$1.00/year lease.
A question was raised as to whether there was a contingency fund
to assist in modifications of the proposed substation site. Lt.
Thetford said yes, and a request will be made to the Mall to have
their construction crews do some of the work.
There was discussion about the opportunity to open a turn -key
substation at the Visitor Information Center once it relocates to the
Entrada del Paseo location. There was consensus that once this
facility becomes available, it would be in the best interest to close
the substation at the Mall and relocate to the Visitor Information
Center.
Motion to recommend to the City Council that it support a
staffed substation at the Mall and further recommend that it
consider relocating the substation to the Visitor Information
Center once it has relocated to the new facility made by
Commissioner Lobel, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach.
Motion carried 3-0.
F. "Adopt A School" Program.
Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file.
Motion to receive and file the "Adopt A School" Program made
by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner
Larsh. Motion carried 3-0.
G. School Safety Program - September 7-17, 2004.
Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file.
Motion by Commissioner Lobel to receive and rile, seconded
by Commissioner Butzbach. Motion carried 3-0.
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MINUTES
REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 23, 2004
K. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of Reassigning Officer from the Palm Springs
Narcotics Task Force (PSNTF) to the Palm Desert Station.
Rec: By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendation of the
Public Safety Commission to reassign the Dedicated Sheriffs Service
Officer from the Palm Springs Narcotics Task Force (PSNTF) to the
Palm Desert Station.
L. REQUEST FOR ACCEPTANCE of Local Law Enforcement Block Grant
(LLEBG) Award and Approval of Matching Funds.
Rec: By Minute Motion, concur with the Public Safety Commission's
recommendation to accept the LLEBG Award ($11,535) and approve
the matching funds expenditure ($1,282) in Police Contingency Funds
for a total LLEBG Grant eligible award amount of approximately
$12,817.
M. CONSIDERATION of Recommendation from the Public Safety Commission
Regarding a Police Substation at Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert.
Rec: By Minute Motion, concur with the recommendation of the
Public Safety Commission to: 1) Authorize the Police Department and
ft,,,,,, staff to finalize negotiations on a Police Substation location and move -
in by November 2004 at Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert;
2) consider the existing Visitor Information Center location for a future
commercial substation for the Police Department once it is vacated.
N. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
1. Progress Report on Retail Center Vacancies
Mayor Spiegel removed Item F from the Agenda for separate discussion under
Section XI, Consent Items Held Over. Mayor Pro Tern Crites also removed Item
N-1 for separate discussion.
Upon motion by Crites, second by Kelly, the remainderof the Consent Calendar was
approved as presented by a 5-0 vote.
XI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
F. REQUEST FOR DECLARATION of Surplus Property and Authorization for
Disposal — Various Items of Computer Hardware.
Mayor Spiegel suggested that from this point on, surplus computer
equipment should first be offered to Palm Desert schools and then to schools
C.1