Title
Recommendation to Authorize the Continued Action to Address Declaration of Unsafe Building and Notice to Vacate, Case Number X24-0470, for the City-Owned Building Located at Building 114, 2450 Saratoga Street, Alameda, California. [Requires four affirmative votes]
In accordance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is statutorily exempt from further environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines Section15269(c) relating to actions necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. (Base Reuse and Economic Development C75400)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff recommends City Council authorize the continued action to address the hazard to the public, as identified in the Declaration of Unsafe Building and Notice to Vacate and Inspection Report issued by the City of Alameda’s (City) Chief Building Inspector on September 27, 2024 (case number X24-0470), for the City-owned building located at 2450 Saratoga Street, Alameda, California (Building 114 at Alameda Point) (Exhibit 1 Site Plan). Action was taken per the emergency powers granted to the City Manager pursuant to Alameda City Charter Section 3-15.2 to contract with a demolition contractor, Silverado, to accommodate emergency work to resolve the hazards identified in the Declaration and Notice to Vacate. At its November 19, 2024 meeting, City Council ratified the Silverado Agreement and adopted a budget Resolution to fund the project.
In accordance with Alameda City Charter 3-15.2 and the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act (CUPCCAA, specifically, Government Code section 22050), staff will return to each regularly scheduled City Council meeting to request authorization to continue work and provide an updated report on the ongoing efforts to address the emergency until the work has been completed to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official.
Staff will provide supplemental memos as material becomes available.
BACKGROUND
Please see the following files for background information:
File # 2024-4531 November 19, 2024 City Council Meeting
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7015151&GUID=E6EAD87A-3666-4ACC-98C4-E2197BE9CAFF&Options=&Search=&FullText=1>
File # 2024-4586 December 3, 2024 City Council Meeting
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7030110&GUID=1B83FC72-BBBE-4D0E-9097-DDCCD1BE1702>
File # 2024-4607 December 17, 2024 City Council Meeting
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7044612&GUID=4D7E8665-A8D6-4612-8FD8-C95904B400A1>
File # 2025-4608 January 7, 2025 City Council Meeting
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7077284&GUID=D838F80D-BF3C-4DD3-8D2A-1917D236688D>
DISCUSSION
Contractor Silverado continues action to address Declaration of Unsafe Building and Notice to Vacate, Case Number X24-0470, overseen by City’s environmental consultant Terraphase Engineering. Staff will provide supplemental memos as information becomes available.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the continued action to address Declaration of Unsafe Building and Notice to Vacate (case number X24-0470) for the City-owned building located at 2450 Saratoga Street, Alameda, California (Building 114 at Alameda Point), per the emergency powers granted to the City Manager, pursuant to Alameda City Charter Section 3-15.2 and continuation of work under Construction Agreement with Silverado Construction, Inc. ratified by City Council at its November 19, 2024 meeting.
• Do not authorize and provide alternate direction to staff. This action will place the City out of compliance with the directive of the Chief Building Official and extend the time that the community is exposed to the safety and environmental hazards posed by the building.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no additional financial impact associated with this update.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code (AMC), and Alameda City Charter Sec. 3-15.2.
This project supports the City Strategic Plan priority to Invest in Transportation, Infrastructure, Economic Opportunities & Historic Resources.
AMC section 13-21.5 provides for emergency action by the Chief Building Official, in coordination with the Secretary to the Historical Advisory Board, to abate hazardous conditions.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this project is statutorily exempt from further environmental review pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(4) which applies to “[s]pecific actions necessary to prevent an emergency.” Public Resources Code section 21060.3 defines “Emergency” as “a sudden, unexpected occurrence, involving a clear and imminent danger, demanding immediate action to prevent or mitigate loss of, or damage to, life, health, property, or essential public services. ‘Emergency’ includes such occurrences as fire, flood, earthquake, or other soil or geologic movements, as well as such occurrences as riot, accident, or sabotage.”
For purposes of CEQA, the emergency determination that triggers Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(4) is based on the Chief Building Official’s September 27, 2024, Notice and Inspection Report which declares Building 114 unsafe and unfit for continued human occupancy. The Notice and Inspection Report further requires the City to, within short time-frames, obtain a J permit from BAAQMD and a demolition building permit to remove the areas compromised beyond repair; and to submit plans for plan check to restore the building to a safe condition or complete the demolition as necessary to ensure safety.
Additionally, prior to demolition, the City will comply with Alameda Point EIR Mitigation Measure 4.D-1c (page 4-D-36-37) requirement to prepare an Historic American Building Survey (HABS) Level II documentation standards of the National Park Service.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Continue ratification of the construction agreement with Silverado Construction, Inc. for the required abatement and demolition project at building 114.
Respectfully submitted,
Abigail Thorne-Lyman, Base Reuse and Economic Development Director
By,
Alesia Strauch, Base Reuse Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director