CITY OF TROUTDALE, OREGON POLICE FACILITY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AUTHORIZATION
QUESTION: Shall the City of Troutdale issue general obligation bonds not exceeding $7,540,000 for police facilities? If the bonds are approved, they will be payable from taxes on property or property ownership that are not subject to the limits of sections 11 and 11b, Article XI of the Oregon Constitution.
SUMMARY: If approved, this measure would finance constructing, furnishing, and equipping of a new police facility on property currently owned by the City at SW 2nd Street and Kendall Avenue, site improvements and pay bond costs. Specifically, this measure is expected to:
- Construct, furnish and equip a new police facility.
- Make site improvements for new police facility.
- Demolish existing police facility and make site improvements.
- Pay fees associated with issuing the bonds.
The Bonds would mature in twenty one (21) years or less from issuance date and may be issued in one or more series.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Purpose
Measure 26-116 would authorize the City of Troutdale to issue and sell General Obligation Bonds up to a maximum of $7,540,000 dollars to construct and equip a new police facility. The term of the Bonds would not exceed twenty-one (21) years.
Estimated Tax Rate
If the city would issue the maximum amount of the Bonds authorized by this Measure, the tax rate to the individual property owner would increase approximately $0.42 per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $42.00 per year for every $100,000 of assessed value. For a home in Troutdale assessed by Multnomah County at $200,000, the estimated annual increase in property taxes would be approximately $84.00 per year (or $7.00 per month). The payment on the bond would begin in year 2011.
Building Location
The new police facility would meet the current and future space requirements of the police department. The police facility would be built on property owned by the city at SW 2nd Street and SW Kendall Avenue, which was originally purchased for new city facilities.
Background
The police department has been at its current location, an old bank building, since 1991. The existing building is 54 years old and, according to the building codes official, has structural, electrical, heating, ventilation and plumbing issues. A space needs assessment conducted in May of 2008 by Group Mackenzie, an architectural firm, identified that the existing building, which has been renovated twice, has reached capacity and there is no room for further growth or ability to expand the current facility.
The existing police facility does not meet the department's current requirements, and, as noted in the space needs assessment, will not meet the anticipated growth of the department over the next 20 years. In addition to those noted above, the current police facility has several limitations including insufficient space for the Emergency Operations Center and no secured parking for the patrol vehicles.
Summary
Proceeds from the bond sale would be dedicated to constructing and equipping a new police facility and demolishing the existing police facility. The proposed facility would be designed for modern technological, staffing, and community needs, and would meet the latest earthquake and safety standards, and serve as the city's Emergency Operations Center when needed. The architect, HSR Master Planning and Architecture, LLC, estimates that the new police facility would have a useful life of at least 50 years.
Submitted by:
David Ross,
City Attorney
City of Troutdale
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed.
We have seen other communities deteriorate due to gangs and other criminal activity. That is not Troutdale's identity, nor should it ever be. Investing in public safety now is our best course of action to preserve our city's livability well into the future.
The delivery of police services in Troutdale is at a critical point that can only be solved with your help.
The existing Troutdale police Station was built for a staff of four bank employees in 1956 when the population was 516. There are now 34 members of the Police Department serving a population of 15,565. The building is cramped, has serious structural, electrical, heating, ventilation, air and water quality problems and does not accommodate people with disabilities. Professional architects and engineers say the 54 year-old building is not suited for expansion or upgrades and would not be cost effective to consider such a plan.
A new building will provide for increased technology, such as crime analysis, a program that enables the police to intervene sooner in crimes such as gang activity, burglaries, car break-ins, and graffiti. The new building will also be a resource center that provides the necessities to properly manage an emergency operation such as flooding, weather related storms, earthquakes, railroad or truck chemical spills, or airplane crashes. The quick response to such catastrophes reduces loss of life and property damage.
Vote yes on Ballot Measure 26-116 because:
- Bond interest rates are at their lowest levels in decades
- The construction industry is highly competitive now
- It will be a 50 year facility built on city-owned property
- A new facility will properly protect your city assets
- The need and cost will only increase with time
Friends of Troutdale Police
(This information furnished by Norman Thomas, Friends of Troutdale Police)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
We are fortunate to live in one of the best small towns in America due, in no small part, to our outstanding police department - individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting our community.
We all want to feel safe in our community, and have seen other communities deteriorate due to gangs and other criminal activity. Investing in public safety now is our best course of action.
The time is long overdue for us, as a community, to show our appreciation and support by providing these brave men and women with an appropriate facility.
Let's share the responsibility of making Troutdale a safer more livable city…
Vote Yes on Measure 26-116
Jim Kight, Mayor
Doug Daoust, Council President
Matt Wand, Councilor
Norm Thomas, Councilor
Glenn White, Councilor
Barbara Kyle, Councilor
(This information furnished by Norm Thomas, Friends of Troutdale Police)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
If you are unaware of the abhorrent conditions of the existing Troutdale Police Station, read the following statements from the June 22, 2010 Troutdale City council meeting from a city building official:
"Our police department is housed in a derelict building that requires a tremendous amount of maintenance and repair work to keep it operational…
- There is always something breaking down, circuits are tripping, ongoing electrical problems, water leaks, HVAC ceases to function, and the list just goes on…
- It is a dysfunctional, undersized, overcrowded building.
- The building has poor access and is not ADA accessible.
- There are also security issues relating to the outside storage that seems unusual for a Police station.
- There is lead paint, asbestos and other health threatening materials inside.
- The HVAC unit on the second floor is worn out…The coil enclosure has rusted through and is leaking water on the floor.
- The electrical system failures are commonplace and all too frequent due to the maxed out electrical system. Selective use of the outlets is often necessary to prevent overloading and tripping circuits.
- The plumbing system is nearing the end of its life and comprised of deteriorating galvanized steel pipe revealing numerous past failures and makeshift repairs…"
In April of 2010 a community survey was conducted by Intercept Research Corporation in Troutdale.
71% of respondents agreed on key reasons to support a police bond measure:
The current building is over 50 years old, and outdated and far too small
The current building does not meet current needs of police operations.
Please Vote Yes on Measure 26-116
Max Maydew
(This information furnished by Max Maydew)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
My name is Terry Smoke, and my wife Jodi and I have owned and operated Nostalgia Antiques and now the Troutdale General Store. We have been business owners in Troutdale for about 13 years. We moved our business here from downtown Gresham because Troutdale had such a great small town feel, with a big future as a tourist destination. We have seen the city grow to be a vibrant tight knit community. What seems to follow with growth however, is crime.
Troutdale's police department has always been very visible and available, but the current delivery of police services is at a critical point. We all see the need for a new facility; a building that could accommodate and secure the immediate needs of our community. As everyone else, we do not favor tax increases or bond measures, but without proactive measures, crime can overtake an area and change it quickly.
With the construction process competitive and bond rates at an all time low, it is definitely time to move on this project. Since the property is already paid for, I feel confident that a new Community Police Center is our only solution as the city continues to grow.
Finally, anyone who has toured the current station knows that it is not suitable for a police station. In fact, the current building, which now houses 34 members of our police force, is not suitable for any purpose at all.
Please join my wife and me in supporting Bond Measure 26-166.
Terry Smoke
(This information furnished by Terry Smoke)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
As a parent within Troutdale for more than 15 years I am writing to urge you to vote to support the new Troutdale Community Police Center. Our families, community partners and law enforcement officers desperately need space where we can coordinate local crime prevention efforts.
Troutdale continues to be a unique and vital place for families to raise children. However, we are not blind to modern city problems. We read the news stories of child abduction, school violence, gang/drug activity and vandalism; each one of us knows someone who has been affected by crime.
As a parent you may have utilized the abundance of recreational opportunities for your family: Sandy River, swimming at Glenn Otto Park, music at Edgefield concert series, bicycling on the Columbia River Highway, and other activities. The land around your neighborhood provides an abundance of trail systems and open spaces. As a parent, you know where your children go to play whether it's Imagination Station, Sweetbriar bike trails, or the Sandy River Glen Otto beach. But the police know there are safety concerns at each of these locations.
Our community needs a location where families, students, law-enforcement, school personnel and community based groups can engage in citywide crime prevention efforts. Here are just a few of the services that could be available as part of a new police station:
- Safety Education classes for kids
- Safety planning workshops for schools, businesses and homes
- Neighborhood watch meetings
- First Aid/CPR
- Emergency response coordination for natural disasters
- Drug awareness and prevention education
- Cadet training program
Help keep Troutdale families safe.
Vote Yes on Measure 26-11
Marianne Daoust
(This information furnished by Marianne Daoust)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
There are many reasons Troutdale voters should approve the bond measure for a new police facility. The best reason is it is financially responsible.
Did you know that the Police Department spends thousands of dollars to send our officers out to mandatory training? This expense is offset with the acquisition of a new building because the Police Department will conduct training on site. Additional savings will be realized by hosting training and charging fees to other agencies.
Did you know the Police Department is unable to increase volunteer staff due to lack of space? In 2009 Reserve Police Officers worked 882 hours and saved the city approximately $35,280. In 2010 Reserve Police Officers are on track to work approximately 1,089 hours which computes to a cost savings of approximately $43,560. The current city budget will not support increasing staff; therefore, it makes sense to increase our volunteer pool.
Did you know the police department stores property and evidence in various places throughout the city due to lack of storage space? Time is wasted when the evidence technician travels throughout the city to transfer property to and from the police station. And the cost of off-site facilities is approximately $6,000 per year.
Did you know the police station is deteriorating and has serious mechanical malfunctions requiring extensive, costly maintenance? It is not financially responsible to spend taxpayer money on a dilapidated building.
For approximately $7.00 per month (on an assessed home value of $200,000), we are investing in a 50 year public safety building that will be constructed on city-owned property. The services that will be delivered as a result are very much worth the investment. Bond interest rates are at an all time low and the construction industry is very competitive. The time is now.
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-116
Former Mayor, Paul Thalhofer
(This information furnished by Former Mayor, Paul Thalhofer )
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.