HomeMy WebLinkAbout10082024 Planning & Zoning Work Session NotesWORK SESSION NOTES
PLANNING & ZONING
Called by: Chair Carol Griswold
Time: 6:00 PM Date: 10/8/2024
Purpose: Police Station Site Selection
Present: Chief Nickell, Deputy City Manager Jason
Bickling, Carl Schaefemeyer, Kris Peck, Courtney
Bringhurst, Daniel Meuninck, Jodi Kurtz
Council Members Present: Carol Griswold, Sean
Ulman, Clare Sullivan, Vanessa Verhey, Rhonda
Hubbard. Absent: Nathaniel Charbonneau, Brenan
Hornseth.
Work Session was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Griswold. Chair Griswold asked if there are any questions from
the staff and Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck stated that he will save his questions for the regular
meeting at 7. Moving onto the topic which is the Police Station Site Selection.
Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager , touched on the feasibility study and site selections for the upcoming
police station site selection.
Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager started presenting the slides that included:
o Public Safety Building Needs Assessment & Site Selection.
o Slides included Project Overview, Process, and History.
o A brief description of the Seard Police Department.
o How the existing conditions are of the current police station location, main City Hall.
o Summary of Site Selection Considerations.
o Emergency Operations Center Considerations.
o As well as other site consideration.
- Sites Considered
o Current City Hall & Fire Station Complex
o Fort Raymond Facility Remainder (adjacent New Public Works Facility)
o Forest Acres Campground
o State of Alaska DOT&PF Former Facility
o Dieckgraeff Highway Property
o UAF Rat Building Property
o Additional Properties to be looked at:
• Jesse Lee Home Property (City Owned)
• Propery on NW Corner Benson and Swetmann (Privately Owned)
• Property Adjacent to Hospital (Privately Owned)
Slides had descriptions of the pros and cons of each potential site.
Cost estimations were discussed that totaled up to $48,000,000 and the funding opportunities were discussed.
Which included state and federal grants.
The next steps that are hoped to be followed through for the new police station site included:
o Further Site Review Selection
o Seek and secure funding
o 15% Design
Chief Nickell touched on how crowded the police department is and how they want to upgrade the first
response team. There are only 50% police department employees. He stated that the reports are so different
from the time he started to present day. The reports used to be handwritten and now they use computers.
Chair Griswold asked if the commissioners have questions.
Commissioner Sullivan asked if the EOC and PD can coexist or a separate entity. Chief Nickell responded that
they can be separated. But he sees a huge value as having them together.
Commissioner Hubbard asked about the site development. What percentage are they at to do a feasibility
study? Jason mentioned that they need a certain percentage and that they are actively seeking possible
properties. They want a good location for the new police station and where it can be accessible if needed.
The old Jesse Lee Home location was brought up but they are still cleaning up the oil spill.
- Acres needed for the space is a rough estimate of 2.18 acres.
Chair Griswold called adjourn for the work session at 6:53 PM.