By Nels Johnson, Marin Independent Journal
Original publication date: Feb. 26, 2011

Marin County, Calif. — County supervisors are privately trading spirited opinions as they try to reach consensus on the most appropriate location for a new public safety facility, but are warming to a plan to acquire and remodel an existing building not far from the Civic Center campus.

In a series of closed sessions one participant described as intense, the county board is trying to figure out whether to build the $60 million first phase of a $100 million, 85,000-square-foot structure near a dog park next to the Civic Center, or acquire and remodel part of the Marin Commons complex several miles away for its emergency communications and dispatch center.

The 455,000-square-foot Commons complex at 1600 and 1650 Los Gamos Road in San Rafael reverted to its lender in a $62 million foreclosure in June 2009.

Although no one would speak publicly about closed-door discussions, several board members including Hal Brown and Charles McGlashan find the prospect of acquiring the Commons more attractive as negotiations have resulted in sweetening the deal, although a price never has been publicly disclosed. The safety building talks are confidential under a loophole in state anti-secrecy laws that allows officials to privately talk about realty acquisition matters. In this case, officials say private talks are essential to conceal county negotiating strategy and ensure that taxpayers get the best deal possible.

“I cannot disclose what was said in a closed session, and I don’t want to give my opinion on a policy discussion that has yet to occur in open session with the board,” said an unusually reticent Supervisor Judy Arnold, who has expressed interest in the Marin Commons alternative in the past.

Supervisor Charles McGlashan was a bit more forthcoming, saying, “While I can’t go into any details until this negotiation is finalized and made public, I can say that I am personally leaning toward using something already built; it is indeed a greener way to go.”

What’s more, McGlashan added, “the additional space is also attractive in ways that will become apparent if the negotiations go well.”

The Commons complex would provide the county with more space than it needs. The county now owns 1.1 million square feet of space in 43 buildings, and pays rent to others for about 75,000 square feet of office space in eight buildings. But extra space could be leased out, and may eventually be needed by the county bureaucracy if its long-term growth trend, only recently interrupted by the recession, eventually continues.

Supervisor Susan Adams, attending the funeral, was unavailable for comment, but the site issue has been a political thorn for her, since many Santa Venetia residents she represents don’t want a big safety building in their backyard.

The Commons provides an attractive, less expensive alternative based on square foot costs, but depends on the owner getting a lot split from San Rafael. How the city handles that application will affect when the property becomes available for special seismic upgrading needed by an emergency operations and dispatch center.

If the city requires a master plan for the remaining parcel before approving the land division, the delay and uncertainty could eliminate the county’s interest in the site, one official noted.

Supervisor Steve Kinsey, who remained mum about opinions aired during the closed door sessions, agreed that “comparing the re-use and structural improvement of an over-sized white elephant office building with the challenges of constructing a new facility in the shadow of a national landmark requires thorough examination….the board is united in seeking out the most cost-effective solution possible while also achieving a seismically-sound emergency operations center.”

Supervisor Hal Brown, recovering at home following treatments for cancer, has missed all but one board meeting this year. He was summoned from home to a session on the safety building issue two weeks ago, and made a brief appearance at Civic Center to talk with colleagues behind closed doors.

Brown said he supports the Commons site as the best bet for county taxpayers.

“I’m for the Commons,” he said. Although he was told he was brought in as a “peacemaker,” Brown said the private meeting was “not terribly spirited” and added, “It turned out well.”

Brown, en route to another treatment session, sounded robust and energetic over the phone Friday. “I am feeling good today,” the veteran supervisor said.

About the Author
Contact Nels Johnson via e-mail at [email protected].

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