Committee hears Measure S project updates: SCBA order, pool rehab, police facility work and street repairs

City staff provided a project-by-project update on Measure S-funded capital work, outlining purchases, project timing and funding sources for fire, police, the pool and streets.

Fire: City Manager Eric Weir and other staff reported a combined procurement that accelerated a five-year purchase schedule for breathing apparatus. Weir said the city and the Crescent Fire Protection District negotiated a single purchase that increased buying power: "The city is purchasing 24 SCBAs, as well as 46 high pressure air bottles," and the district is buying the same quantities, Weir said. Staff said the combined procurement reduced the total multi-year cost and that the ordered equipment should arrive in May–June. Finance staff and the chief noted the plan to set aside annual replacement funds going forward.

Fire vehicle: Committee member Dana Reno and staff described a "quick response vehicle" that has been purchased and is undergoing build-out. Reno said the chassis is at the vendor (Highway Products) and the install of the equipment module was scheduled for mid-May, with a finish and outfitting expected in June.

Police: Chief Griffin (appearing by Zoom) described recent vehicle purchases, including K-9 and command vehicles. Griffin said the department bought a 2023 Tahoe for K-9 use and is equipping a command vehicle with an upgraded radio and a pullout tabletop/whiteboard for incident command. The department also described a planned remodel and 1,566-square-foot addition to the police facility, including new locker rooms, showers and a conference/training room; project permitting, environmental and construction drawings were reported as substantially complete, and staff said the project team is pursuing USDA financing but noted federal funding timelines and hold-ups may affect schedule.

Pool: Director Dave Yeager, project staff and Aquatics Supervisor Alyssa Garcia updated the committee on a major HVAC and pool-floor rehabilitation. Yeager described work in the attic to replace air handlers and install new HVAC equipment; he said the project includes epoxy-style non-slip flooring and re-sloped locker-room floors. Garcia described shared operations with Brookings while the pool was closed for rehab and said South Coast Community Aquatics hosted programs that kept lifeguards employed and maintained public programs. The team said the pool2s anticipated reopening date is March 8; staff cautioned a pending roof issue may require an additional funding request. Yeager said Red Sky Roofing recommended a metal roof to address severe bird-related damage; staff estimated a metal roof replacement could be on the order of $150,0002$250,000 (budget estimate varied in discussion) and indicated they will present options to the committee and council.

Streets and sidewalks: Director Yeager and public works staff described a recently completed Measure S-funded street preservation project (roughly $2.75M total project with Measure S contributing the local portion) and a smaller maintenance project of scattered sidewalk repairs (dozens to hundreds of locations were saw-cut or repaired under current contracts). Staff also described an HSIP (Highway Safety Improvement Program) grant project to add ADA ramps and passive crossing improvements around local schools (state-funded HSIP award with a required match, staff planned to use Measure S maintenance funds for the local match). The committee heard staff2s rationale for prioritizing collector streets to maximize impact and noted that some projects require Caltrans/ federal standards when federal funds are involved.

Funding, timing and risks: Staff consistently referenced the Measure S five-year plan as the tool that allows the city to spend beyond single-year receipts in years with large capital work. City Manager Weir and Finance Director Linda Lieber described specific rollovers: the ordered SCBA purchase was moved into FY2425 budget timing; debt service money originally budgeted for police facility loan payments was reallocated to early design and geotechnical work; and leftover sidewalk/street maintenance funds were used to help fund a recent street preservation project. Several presenters flagged implementation risk tied to federal funding timelines (USDA and federal highways reimbursements) and a possible near-term request to address the pool roof damage.

No formal votes were taken on the individual projects at this meeting; staff requested continued committee oversight and follow-up on project budgets and schedules.

Ending: Staff will return with procurement receipts, final vendor delivery dates for SCBAs, a timeline for police facility permitting and USDA updates, and formal cost options for pool roof replacement if needed.