Citing the need for further review and more information, the Moraga Orinda Fire District's (MOFD) Board of Directors opted at its last meeting to delay any decision regarding combining and moving its administrative offices.
Options that are on the table included leasing space from the City of Orinda, buying a building located next to Station 41 in Moraga, retrofitting the current administrative offices located in Station 41, or leaving the offices split as they are currently.
In a presentation giving an overview of the process so far, MOFD Fire Chief Randy Bradley added two additional options to the mix: a modular building that would be built behind Station 41, and the retrofitting of the lower level of Station 45, located in downtown Orinda. While one would be new construction and another a complete retrofit, the cost of both options were similar to the other three original proposals. Chief Bradley said that he is still most in favor of purchasing the building located at 1150 Moraga Way- he believes it offers the most benefits including adaptability, improved efficiencies and the possible revenue generation.
The Board members agreed that retrofitting Station 43 in Orinda is the first priority. A project management company has been retained and the process of rebuilding the station is underway. Retrofitting Station 41 and combining the two administrative offices were considered second and third priorities, according to the MOFD facilities report.
Board members continued to be divided in their support of the various options. New concerns included cash flow challenges, taking established priorities out of sequence, and possibly taking on too many projects at one time.
The Board agreed to have the finance committee meet to review forecasts regarding funding for the projects. The Board also asked Chief Bradley to flesh out the new options, allowing the Board to compare them side by side with the original proposals.
Four members of the Board will meet on September 21 to review the additional information. The full Board will meet again on September 27 to deliberate and possibly decide on a course of action.
Options that are on the table included leasing space from the City of Orinda, buying a building located next to Station 41 in Moraga, retrofitting the current administrative offices located in Station 41, or leaving the offices split as they are currently.
In a presentation giving an overview of the process so far, MOFD Fire Chief Randy Bradley added two additional options to the mix: a modular building that would be built behind Station 41, and the retrofitting of the lower level of Station 45, located in downtown Orinda. While one would be new construction and another a complete retrofit, the cost of both options were similar to the other three original proposals. Chief Bradley said that he is still most in favor of purchasing the building located at 1150 Moraga Way- he believes it offers the most benefits including adaptability, improved efficiencies and the possible revenue generation.
The Board members agreed that retrofitting Station 43 in Orinda is the first priority. A project management company has been retained and the process of rebuilding the station is underway. Retrofitting Station 41 and combining the two administrative offices were considered second and third priorities, according to the MOFD facilities report.
Board members continued to be divided in their support of the various options. New concerns included cash flow challenges, taking established priorities out of sequence, and possibly taking on too many projects at one time.
The Board agreed to have the finance committee meet to review forecasts regarding funding for the projects. The Board also asked Chief Bradley to flesh out the new options, allowing the Board to compare them side by side with the original proposals.
Four members of the Board will meet on September 21 to review the additional information. The full Board will meet again on September 27 to deliberate and possibly decide on a course of action.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA