Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee sends DHR lease at 1740 Cesar Chavez to full Board pending cost/savings details
Summary
The Board committee referred a proposed five‑year, ~11,000 sq ft lease for the Department of Human Resources testing center to the full Board without recommendation, asking DHR to provide metrics showing how the new space would reduce hotel testing costs and increase testing throughput.
The committee discussed a proposed five‑year lease for approximately 11,000 square feet at 1740 Cesar Chavez Street to house Department of Human Resources testing and training operations. John Updike, Director of Real Estate, said the first‑floor space would be an improved layout for continuous testing and noted the landlord offered $575,000 in tenant improvements.
Director Callahan and DHR staff described the need for additional small‑room testing and interview space to run continuous testing programs for police and fire promotions and to reduce reliance on rented hotel testing rooms. DHR’s public safety testing manager estimated potential immediate savings of about $30,000 a year in hotel testing room rental costs once the new space is used.
The budget analyst, however, reported the proposed lease would increase first‑year city costs versus staying on the Second Floor and requested metrics that would show how the new space would increase testing throughput and realize savings. The analyst noted a $77,688 increase in first‑year costs compared with staying in current space and a projected $414,336 over the five‑year term (without budget adjustments), and recommended either disapproval or negotiating to exercise the landlord’s existing renewal option for the current space as an alternative.
Supervisors asked for clarifying data on which hotel costs would be replaced by the new facility and how many additional examinations the space would permit. The committee moved the item to the full Board without recommendation and requested DHR and the Budget Analyst exchange the specific requested metrics and provide supplemental information before full Board consideration.
