Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Service Provider Agreement with Blaisdell’s Business Products to Acquire Furniture for the Alameda Police Department Records Unit Office Remodel, in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $81,286.72.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption). (Police G23100)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda Police Department (APD) Records Unit furniture has been in use for over 25 years. Employee feedback and recent assessment indicate that the current furniture no longer meets modern ergonomic and functional standards. Over the past two decades, workplace practices and technology have undergone considerable evolution. However, APD’s office furnishings have not kept pace.
The office layout and furniture options provided by Blaisdell’s Business Products best meet APD’s needs. Staff is recommending City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement with Blaisdell’s Business Products to acquire furniture for APD’s Records Unit office remodel in an amount not-to-exceed $81,286.72. (Exhibit 1)
BACKGROUND
The APD’s Records Unit has not been upgraded for more than 25 years and has aging infrastructure and outdated furnishings. Over time, changes in workforce size, working styles, health and safety requirements, and technology have rendered parts of the existing layout outdated and inefficient.
The proposed remodel would create a more flexible, inclusive, and sustainable working environment that meets the current and future needs of the Records Personnel.
DISCUSSION
A modern, ergonomic, and functional workspace is critical to ensuring employee health, productivity, and job satisfaction. Some of the issues reported include:
• Visible wear and tear on desks and panels
• Issues accessing electrical outlets located under the desks in some areas and accessing power from another workstation.
• Office space is not being used optimally.
• The current design, with high panels, creates closed-off spaces and is not conducive to collaborative working relationships.
• The current desks are not stand-up desks; the use of standing desk converters takes up much of the desk space, giving limited desk space to work with.
Investing in updated furniture is essential for supporting employee well-being, boosting morale, and maintaining a functional, safe, and efficient work environment. A detailed remodeling proposal is included in Exhibit 1.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement.
• Reject the proposal and continue using existing furniture.
• A partial update may temporarily relieve some issues but lack long-term impact.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This project will be funded by existing grant funding (Police G23100) from the Police Department’s 2025-2026 fiscal budget.
MUNCIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the City’s Strategic Plan priorities to enhance community safety and services and invest in City infrastructure.
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-59 (Authorization of Contracts). This action supports the Strategic Priority, “Enhance Community Safety & Services’ in the City’s Strategic Plan.
This action is subject to the Levine Act.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), since it can be seen with certainty that the proposed action has no potential to have a significant effect on the environment.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a service provider agreement with Blaisdell’s Business Products to acquire furniture for APD’s Records unit office remodel in an amount not-to-exceed $81,286.72.
Respectfully submitted,
Nishant Joshi, Chief of Police
By,
Rita Dharmani, Records Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement