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Los Altos commission reviews public safety facility needs and funding options
Summary
Staff briefed the commission on near-term public safety work funded in the current fiscal year — roof repairs at two fire stations, conversion of a Loyola Corners police substation, completion of an emergency operations center generator, and a $300,000 allocation for police building design — and discussed community survey priorities and the city’s reserve balance.
City staff told the Los Altos Financial Commission that the council has appropriated funds this fiscal year for a set of immediate public‑safety facility needs and that larger projects will require additional planning and community input.
Staff listed the near-term projects: roof replacement at the Almond Avenue fire station, repairs at the other fire station near Loyola Corners, an interior fit-out of the city‑owned police substation at 999 Fremont so officers can check in and use facilities during shifts, and remaining funds to complete the emergency operations center (notably installation of a generator). Staff also said the council allocated $300,000 to develop design options for the city’s main police building.
“The roof at Alman Station … needs to be replaced,” staff said, describing the Almond Avenue station as old and in need of major maintenance. On the police substation staff said the funding will allow conversion of the Loyola Corners property for officer use so they will not need to travel back to the main station to write reports or take breaks.
Staff presented results of a statistically valid community survey of roughly 400 respondents: the highest priorities were reliable 911 emergency response and wildfire safety, followed by road maintenance and updated fire facilities. Commissioners stressed outreach to ensure the qualitative input matches the survey findings and directed staff to expand neighborhood engagement and the project webpage.
Commissioners and staff also reviewed the city’s reserves and unassigned fund balance. Staff said the city maintains a 20% operating reserve policy and that additional unassigned funds — described in discussion as roughly an extra 20% of operating support (staff cited an unassigned balance figure internally around $50 million) — are available but not earmarked. Commissioners emphasized the tradeoff between using unassigned balances for major capital projects (for example a police facility replacement) and preserving buffer funds against possible state or federal funding changes.
A brief public comment period included residents urging continued attention to public‑works maintenance and wildfire preparedness.
Next steps: staff will finalize the police building design consultant selection, complete the EOC generator installation, continue outreach to neighborhoods and post a public webpage and questionnaire to gather further input.
