New Tehachapi police station approved
The Tehachapi Police Dept. will have a new home at 220 W. "C" St. following closure of escrow and renovation of a now vacant building at that location.
Approval of the purchase of the property was approved by the Tehachapi City Council at it meeting Feb. 6.
Police Chief Jeff Kermode presented the proposal for the new facility to City Council. Kermode noted that the building proposed is approximately 10,000 square feet, which meets the department's future needs. The structure is primarily an empty shell, allowing for creative interior design of an efficient and functional police facility. The site is centrally located and is within walking distance of downtown, he noted.
Kermode said the property can be purchased at a cost that is significantly less than the cost of land and infrastructure development associated with the primary alternative site and the structural assessment report indicates that while some structural retrofit will be required, there are no structural issues that would prevent the building from serving as a police facility.
He said the city's offer of $400,000 for the property was accepte by the seller.
Funding for the purchase and renovation will be from the city's Public Safety lmpact Fund, which is funded through development projects in the city. The fund currently has a balance of approximately $660,000, Kermode said.
In other business at the Feb. 6 meeting the council:
* Approved the spending plan for the $100,000 in "COPS" grant funds as proposed by the police department.
* Acting as the governing body for the successor agency for the former Tehachapi Redevelopment Agency, adopted four resolutions concerning rules and regulations, creating a retirement fund, adopting an enforcable obligation payment schedule and authorizing the investment of monies.
The next regular meeting of the council is scheduled for 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Beekay Theatre. Among items on the agenda is a presentation by the city attorney on options the council has for filling the vacant seat left by the resignation of Linda Vernon at the Feb. 6 meeting.
