Replacement and Renovations of Police Facilities

(City Council on August 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2000, adopted this Clause, without amendment.)

The Administration Committee reports having received the following report, and having directed that such report be forwarded to Council for information:

Purpose:

To provide the Administration Committee with a report from the Police Service responding to issues raised by the Administration Committee regarding the “future plan to renovate and replace various police stations across the City”.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications in regard to this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the Administration Committee receive this report; and

(2) following review of this report, the Administration Committee forward this report to for information.

Background:

At its meeting held on June 1, 2000, the Toronto Police Services Board considered a report dated April 26, 2000, from Chief of Police Julian Fantino, regarding the status of renovations to police facilities (Board Minute No. 261/00 refers).

Conclusion:

A copy of Board Minute No. 261/00 regarding this matter is attached for information.

Contact:

Chief of Police Julian Fantino, Tel.: (416) 808-8000; Fax: (416) 808-8002. (Extract of Minute No. 261 from the Meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board Held on June 1, 2000, entitled “Replacement and Renovations of Police Facilities”)

The Board was in receipt of the following (report) April 26, 2000 from Julian Fantino, Chief of Police: Subject: Replacement and Renovations of Police Facilities.

Recommendations: It is recommended that: (i) the Board receive this report; and (ii) a copy of this report be forwarded to the City’s Administration Committee for information.

Background: At its meeting of February 8, 2000, the City’s Administration Committee requested further information regarding the “future plan to renovate and replace various Police stations across the City”. The recommendations of the Administration Committee were subsequently approved by City Council at its meeting of February 29 – March 2, 2000. Commencing in 1993, the Police Services Board (BM# 505/93 refers) authorized the Police Service to undertake a series of studies to examine the condition of Police Service facilities and to determine the Service’s Long-term requirements. These studies were conducted by a number of consultants under the direction of Toronto Police Service Facilities Management and City Corporate Services. The completion of the consultant studies resulted in the Service preparing a Long-term Facilities Program. The Board at its meeting of October 17, 1996 (BM# 349/96 refers) approved the implementation of the Service’s Long-term Facilities Program. The Board subsequently confirmed 51 Division as the Service’s top priority for replacement. The Service’s Long-term Facilities Program was initially presented as part of the Service’s 1997-2001 Capital Program. The program for the replacement, retrofitting and/or expansion of the Police facilities was intended to meet the Service’s requirements over a 15-year period.

At present, 51 Division is the only project underway. Its start has been delayed due to difficulties in obtaining a suitable site. The Service is currently working with City Real Estate to identify sites in 11, 14 and 23 Divisions.

The Administration Committee, at its meeting of February 8, 2000, requested the Police Service to identify: (1) “How the proposed new boundaries will impact on the number and size of stations”:

The new boundaries will increase the number of divisions by one. Currently the Service has 17 front-line divisions. The new division, if approved, will be 43 Division located in south Scarborough. The new boundaries will have minimal effect on the size of the stations. Facilities will be designed to meet current and future needs of the Service and community. The size of the station will depend on those needs rather than the divisional boundaries.

(2) “How the design of the new stations will facilitate community-based policing, and their impact on the environment”: New and renovated stations will be designed in consultation with all end users including the community. The Police Services Board at its meeting of March 13, 1997 (BM No. 97 refers) received a report outlining the process and strategy that will be used in achieving a functional design. This process is currently being employed in the design process of 51 Division. The Service will be asking for input into those areas of the facility that is public space. The Service will also be asking for input into what type of public accommodations are appropriate for the facility. Part of this process will include an environmental assessment, where required.

(3) “The cost of these buildings”: The cost of the buildings will vary dependent on the size of the building and the type of site provided by the City. Currently the Police Service budgets $175/square foot for base building construction plus allowances for furniture, lockers, communications equipment, etc. Currently the Service estimates a facility will cost between $9.0M - $13.0M, depending on the individual facility requirements. Land costs, site decontamination and any credit for the sale of the existing property, etc. are not included in this estimate.

(4) “The possibility of being flexible in the design, in order that they reflect the local neighbourhood”: Toronto Police Service facilities will be designed to complement the communities they are located in. The Toronto Police Service does not contemplate designing one standard building and applying that design to all communities. In all buildings some functions will remain constant, however, there are operational differences between divisions. The type and location of the site will also have a major effect on the building design.

(5) “The impact of information technology on the size of the buildings”:

The ability to accommodate current and future information technology systems will be designed into the building. Technology infrastructures being planned and implemented will allow officers to spend less time in the Division. Therefore, there may be some impact on the size of the facility but it is anticipated that the impact will be minimal. The major effect on the buildings will be in the design of the electrical and environmental systems. (6) “That the Toronto Police Service be requested, in planning the construction of the building, to ensure that the building is accessible to the disabled”:

All new and renovated buildings must meet the requirements of the Building Code (OBC). The OBC contains physically challenged accessibility requirements. Mr. Frank Chen, A/Chief Administrative Officer-Policing, Mr. Angelo Cristofaro, A/Director Finance and Administration, and Mr. Michael Ellis, Manager, Facilities Management, will be in attendance to answer any questions the Board may have.

The Board received the foregoing.