HomeMy WebLinkAboutRcmnd Closure of PD Police Hwy 111 SubstationCITY OF PALM DESERT
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF A RECOMMENDATION TO CLOSE THE
HIGHWAY 111 PALM DESERT POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBSTATION.
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Y. Aryan, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE: November 18, 2010
CONTENTS: Public Safety Commission Minutes Excerpt (09/08/10)
Recommendation
By Minute Motion, approve staffs recommendation to close the Palm Desert
Police Department Substation at Highway 111/Monterey Avenue.
Commission Recommendation
On September 8, 2010, the Palm Desert Public Safety Commission recommended that
the City Council approve the staffs recommendation to close the Highway 111 Palm
Desert Police Department Substitution.
Background
The Palm Desert Police Department currently maintains a substation at the corner of
Highway 111/Monterey Avenue (adjacent to the Westfield Mall). In August 2010, the
Police Department relocated to the new Sheriff's Station on Gerald Ford Drive. The
vacated Sheriff's Station at the Civic Center is now another substation, per the City
Council's direction, in order to make the transition to the new station as seamless as
possible for the public. This new substation houses Police Dispatch, two Community
Services Officers and, in the future, may include certain investigation units under a
proposed lease agreement.
Given the relative short distance between the two substations, Police and City staff
recommend the closure of the Highway 111 Police Substation. This substation has
historically been utilized for patrol officers to complete reports and use the restroom
facilities, functions that can easily be done at the Civic Center Substation. Furthermore,
this substation does not maintain regular hours and the public have not historically
utilized it to an extent that warrants it to remain open. Please note, that the Civic Center
Substation will maintain regular business hours Monday -Friday (8:00 AM-5:00 PM)
during the transition period.
Police Substation Closure Staff Report
November 18, 2010
Page 2 of 2
Fiscal Analysis
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City with the closure of the Highway 111 Police
Substation; however, certain savings will be realized in utility and operational costs.
Submitted By:
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Steph n Y.1Agyan, Assistan to the City Manager
Approval:
Paul S,. Gibson, Director of Finance
M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
CITY COUNCILtCTION
APPROVED ✓✓ DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
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Original on File with City -Clerk's Office
APPROVED MINUTES
REGULAR PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 8, 2010
Lt. Shouse said typically the large corporations know that they need
to maintain good visibility inside their markets. The buildings are
generally designed to have one entrance and exit to reduce the
likelihood of crime.
Commissioner Butzbach moved, by Minute Motion, to support the
recommendation by the Palm Desert Police Department to enforce the current sign
regulation that no window signage is permitted to cover more than 25% of the window
area. Motion seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried 5-0.
4. Surplus Bicycles
Chair Larsh said that it sounds like the bicycles will be put to good
use.
Commissioner Nethery moved, by Minute Motion, to support the approval of the
donation of surplus bicycles to the Desert Sands Unified School District. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and carried 5-0.
5. Consideration to close the Highway 111 Palm Desert Police
Department Substation.
Stephen Aryan explained the reasoning behind the decision to
close Highway 111 substation. He stated that there was no longer
a need for a substation at that location because the "old" police
station at the Civic Center on Fred Waring Drive was moved to its
new location on Gerald Ford Drive. The Civic Center Substation
has set business hours from 8 to 5 p.m. each day.
Commissioner Nethery stated this obviously makes sense and we
did talk about this.
Mr. Aryan stated that there were no current plans for the building on
Hwy 111 and Monterey Avenue.
Commissioner Nethery moved, by Minute Motion, to support the approval of
staffs recommendation to close the Palm Desert Police Department Substation at
Highway 111 /Monterey Avenue. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Kirkwood and
carried 5-0.
VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
None
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