Title
Recommendation to Substitute a Revised Exhibit A to the License Agreement with the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) for a Fire Safety Access Route Through Otis Elementary School to Krusi Park. (Recreation and Parks 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Substitute a Revised Exhibit A to the License Agreement with the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) for a Fire Safety Access Route Through Otis Elementary School to Krusi Park
BACKGROUND
For some time, staff has been working to renovate portions of Krusi Park, including its Recreation Center. The site plans for the park include an access route for fire and other emergency vehicles to serve the building and park in an emergency. Due to the fire vehicle size and space requirements to maneuver in and out of the park, an access route is required through the Otis Elementary School asphalt play area.
On March 1, 2016, the City Council approved the License Agreement with Alameda Unified School District (AUSD), which allows for fire and other emergency vehicles to access the Otis Elementary School blacktop area, located at 3010 Fillmore Street, for emergency access to Krusi Park. Exhibit A License Agreement shows the route through the School’s blacktop area. This route is an identified path for the fire and other emergency vehicles in case of an emergency and will not require additional construction or striping on the school site. In the approved License Agreement, the City assumes full responsibility for any repairs required if the asphalt is damaged in any way by emergency vehicles. In addition, the City will install a gate in the existing fence to provide an access point into Krusi Park. The Agreement also stipulates that the licensed property will not be needed or utilized for school buildings.
DISCUSSION
Exhibit A to the approved License Agreement provides a fire truck access path with an entry point at the corner of Calhoun and Court Streets. During the revised design process, Public Works maintenance staff raised concerns that the weight of a fire truck could cause significant damage to an old, but in use, storm drain pipe located at that intersection that runs through Krusi Park. After meeting onsite with Fire and Public Works staff, it was determined that the Fire Department has an existing route from Fillmore Street into Otis Elementary School that is used for emergencies at the school site. It was determined that a better solution, with less potential impacts on existing infrastructure, is to continue that access route across the school asphalt play area and into Krusi Park.
AUSD staff agreed with this revised emergency access route through Otis Elementary. On February 14, 2017, the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Trustees approved an amended exhibit to the license agreement for the City to use a portion of the Otis Elementary School for emergency vehicle access. The revised Exhibit A is attached. (Exhibit 2)
This Agreement benefits AUSD students and the community by providing access to Krusi Park in the event of a fire or other emergency. Moreover, Otis Elementary School students use the playgrounds, athletic fields, and restrooms at Krusi Park during school hours. This is one of many collaborative facility arrangements between the City and AUSD to serve the entire Alameda community. This action of the City Council will simply substitute a revised Exhibit A for the current Exhibit A. The terms of the License Agreement itself are not being changed.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action will have a minimal financial impact for the City to install a gate in the Otis Elementary school fence. Funds are included in the Capital Improvement Project Budget - Krusi Park (91003) for Fiscal Year 2015-17. The Krusi Park Recreation Center replacement project is funded by the East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW grant.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the municipal code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Guidelines Sections 15301 (Repair, maintenance and/or minor alteration of an existing facility.)
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation is to substitute a revised Exhibit A to the License Agreement with the Alameda Unified School District for a fire safety access route through Otis Elementary School to Krusi Park.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. AUSD License Agreement
2. Revised Exhibit A