Title
Reallocate Capital Improvement Project Funds for Installation of a Modular Fire Rescue Building (NB)
This is a request for City Commission approval to reallocate Capital Improvement Project funds.
Explanation
In preparation for Gainesville Fire Rescue (GFR) to assume all fire rescue services in the southwest service area, a temporary fire station will be needed to house the personnel, apparatus, and equipment.
The City has been providing service in the rapidly growing southwest area between SW 20th Avenue and SW Archer Road. The long-term plan is to follow the City Commission’s direction given to staff on June 19, 2014 to develop plans to build a new City fire station in the southwest area. Although work has progressed toward identifying potential sites in the area of SW Archer Road and I-75 for a permanent location as recommended in the Fire Station Location Study; identifying a site, securing funding, purchasing land, and planning, designing and building a station will take time, hence the need to move forward quickly to address interim deployment needs.
In identifying funding options, the Capital Improvement Plan for FY2015-2019 was reviewed and included $455,055 for renovations at Station 5. While working with Facilities staff to determine the best course of action regarding Station 5, it was determined that the work needed would likely exceed the available funding and could be a significant factor in deciding whether it would better serve the City in the long-term to replace the building rather than renovate it. The factors related to this decision are still under consideration and a decision is not expected in the immediate future.
To provide services in this area, the interim plan is to activate a more capable unit. GFR management have explored a number of options to locate this unit and a site has been identified near the RTS station in the newly expanded commercial area south of SW 24th Avenue. An estimate to install a temporary modular building to house the larger apparatus in a protective bay and provide living quarters for the firefighters is approximately $350,000. The modular will be purchased off of an existing cooperative purchasing agreement in accordance with Policy 41-460. Once a permanent station is built, the modular building will be available for other GFR or City needs or can be sold.
Due to the complexity of deciding the best course of action for Station 5 and based on the more immediate need to provide the appropriate level of service in the southwest area, staff recommend reallocation of a portion of the funding previously approved for Station 5 renovations as follows:
• $249,980 from 354-E207 (CIRB of 2014 bond funding)
• $28,127 from 302-M923 (General Capital Project Funding)
• $71,893 from 335-M923 (CIRB of 2005 bond funding)
$350,000 Total Reallocation
Fiscal Note
There will be no impact on fund balances due to reallocation of existing project funds. City staff will explore options for Station 5 and seek to address needs as part of the budget process.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) approve reallocation of $350,000 of Capital Improvement project funding for the installation of a temporary modular fire rescue building in the southwest service area; and 2) approve the expenditure of funds not to exceed $350,000 for the installation of the temporary station.