Selma council pushes to fast-track EMS facility, pauses full fire station build

Selma — The Selma City Council on Aug. 19 approved a direction to prioritize creation of an EMS facility as the immediate step in a multi‑phase fire campus project and asked staff to return with a near‑term timeline and cost estimates.

The council’s action follows conceptual design work by Griffin Structures on a three‑phase fire campus. Fire Chief Webster told the council the most urgent need is “the EMS facility being phase 1 of that project,” and recommended a strategic pause to evaluate lower‑cost alternatives including modular buildings and a separate site design for the EMS component.

As Chief Webster described it, the earlier full buildout estimate included soft costs and other elements that made the total larger than neighboring projects’ bid prices. “There was a pretty significant dollar amount associated with the complete build out of that project,” he said, and noted an engineer’s estimate and modular bids could produce lower‑cost pathways. He told council that certain parts of the program—administrative headquarters across the street and larger operations elements—do not directly affect emergency response times, which informed the proposal to separate the EMS phase from headquarters work.

Deputy City Manager and other staff confirmed funding is currently available for the EMS piece, citing a grant from State Senator Hurtado plus matching funds from the city’s ambulance fund; Mayor Robertson said the council wanted to be “crystal clear” that the EMS facility should move forward quickly. Director Hahn said staff would pursue site planning, obtain an engineer’s estimate and meet with modular providers; he also said he was arranging a meeting with Mobile Modular to get conceptual pricing.

Council members asked for a clearer timetable and budget staging. One councilmember urged realism on costs, noting a neighboring jurisdiction’s project had a lower construction number and urging the city to scrub expenses and consider two phases instead of three. Another councilmember recommended treating the EMS operation as Phase 1 and using any ambulance revenue to help fund later work.

Council direction and next steps - Council directed staff to prioritize the EMS facility (the operational phase) and to pursue alternatives that could reduce cost, including modular units and limited site improvements, and to return with a timeline and engineer’s estimate. Mayor Robertson asked staff to try to have materials and an RFP ready within roughly 90 days to get the procurement process started. - City staff said they could reasonably prepare an engineer’s estimate and RFP materials later in 2025 and begin solicitation then; actual construction completion timing will depend on site work, utility connections and modular manufacturer lead times.

Why it matters Selma relies on timely EMS responses and council members repeatedly framed this as an operations priority. The decision to separate the EMS unit from the larger headquarters and fully custom station is intended to reduce near‑term cost and speed occupancy for ambulance and EMS crews while leaving options open for later phases.

What remains unsettled Staff will return with: (1) an engineer’s estimate for site work and a modular option; (2) service timelines from modular vendors; and (3) an RFP/RFQ schedule. The council did not approve construction contracts at this meeting and retained discretion to pause further phases.

Speakers quoted - Fire Chief Webster, Fire Chief, City of Selma (government) - Director Hahn, Director (city staff) (government) - Mayor Robertson (Mayor, Selma City Council) - Councilmember Avalos (Selma City Council)

Authorities: none cited for this item in the transcript.

Ending notes Staff indicated they would present more precise schedules and cost options at a future council meeting so the council could decide whether to proceed with Griffin Structures for subsequent phases or pursue an alternative procurement path for the EMS facility.