Loading...
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 �� , SHEILA R. GILLIGAN ' Assistant City Manager fo Community Services Approval: CARLOS L. O GA City Manager PAUL GIBSON Finance Director G %CryCkk%K n RvMLAgenda itemsWobce SOVehon.W.Weld ,pc 2 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 $1.00/year lease. A question was raised as to whether there was a contingency fund to assist in modifications of the proposed substation site. Lt. Thetford said yes, and a request will be made to the Mall to have their construction crews do some of the work. There was discussion about the opportunity to open a turn -key substation at the Visitor Information Center once it relocates to the Entrada del Paseo location. There was consensus that once this facility becomes available, it would be in the best interest to close the substation at the Mall and relocate to the Visitor Information Center. Motion to recommend to the City Council that it support a staffed substation at the Mall and further recommend that it consider relocating the substation to the Visitor Information Center once it has relocated to the new facility made by Commissioner Lobel, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach. Motion carried 3-0. F. "Adopt A School" Program. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. Motion to receive and file the "Adopt A School" Program made by Commissioner Butzbach, seconded by Commissioner Larsh. Motion carried 3-0. G. School Safety Program - September 7-17, 2004. Rec: By Minute Motion, receive and file. Motion by Commissioner Lobel to receive and rile, seconded by Commissioner Butzbach. Motion carried 3-0. G CrtyfIfEKaren R=v',Puh1,c iafcry Comminon 2004t$eptembm kfxwe upd 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