Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

On August 13, 2020 and October 29, 2020, the Town of Ross held public meetings to discuss the longstanding need to improve town facilities for fire, police, paramedics, and administrative staff. Many of these facilities were constructed almost 100 years ago and are physically and functionally obsolete. Topics for discussion included whether to renovate or rebuild existing facilities, and associated costs; whether a fire station in Ross is necessary for safety and what are the alternatives; funding options; and next steps. Any project would not include Town Hall, where Town Council meetings are held.

Other documents that may be useful:

The following is a list of frequently asked questions informed by the October 29 public workshop:

1. Why is the town discussing improvements to its public safety facilities?

Public safety personnel generally consider the Ross police and fire station to be in the worst physical and functional condition of any station in Marin County. The police station and the fire station, with the exception of the two fire engine bays, are physically and functionally obsolete with significant structural deficiencies. Both were built in 1927, long before the 1986 Essential Service Act (ESA), which established requirements for public safety building construction.

Modern fire and paramedic (EMS) facilities are designed to create travel paths for personnel from living spaces to apparatus bays, ensuring faster response times. Since 2005, firefighters have been sleeping in a portable not connected to the building. Other living spaces and dorms are distant from firetrucks and ambulances.  Additionally, EMS stations for cleaning blood and other body fluids are non-existent, increasing contamination risks of sinks and counters in living spaces (kitchen, bathrooms, etc.).

The portion of the building with police facilities was originally constructed as a residence and later converted to the police station; the floor plan does not begin to meet the standards for a modern police facility, and its conditions have been deteriorating for decades. In addition to the police station, fire station and paramedic facilities, the Town is considering constructing space to house administrative staff, a majority of who are located in a portable building behind Town Hall.

2. Can we renovate these facilities instead of rebuilding them?

No. Renovating the existing buildings to ESA and FEMA requirements could cost as much as or more than demolishing the old buildings and constructing a new building and would not resolve the existing floor plan and parcel constraints.

3. What is the cost to rebuild the fire and police stations, along with building a new administrative space? What is the cost of the project if the fire station is not rebuilt (fire engines would be based in neighboring towns)?

Including rebuilding the fire station, the project cost is estimated at $28.4 million.
If the project does not include a fire station, the cost is estimated at $14.6 million, a difference of $13.8 million.

4. If the fire station is not rebuilt in Ross, are there other costs or savings?

Besides saving approximately $13.8 million in construction costs, it is likely the Town will also have lower annual operational costs for fire services. However, the exact amount cannot be determined until after negotiations with the other members of the Ross Valley Fire Department and adjacent fire agencies.

5. Why are the projected public facility building costs so much higher than home construction?

A publicly funded Essential Services Act building requires many more costs for planning, designing, and construction, including:

  • Seismic design requirements, which include larger footings, more rebar, seismic strapping, and more geotechnical work.
  • Labor compliance laws for public buildings require workers to be paid “prevailing wage.” (Marin County’s prevailing wage rates are among the highest in California.)
  • Significant specialty systems, equipment, and furniture for public safety buildings.
  • Sustainable design and increased energy conservation measures.
  • Reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake frontage and the driveway entry, including undergrounding overhead utilities.
  • Demolition and hazardous material removal.
  • Temporary facilities for staff and emergency equipment during construction.
  • CEQA special studies and certification.
  • Cost escalation of 12% on costs since construction will not occur for several years.

6. Why spend additional funds to rebuild the fire station and other facilities on a site we know is prone to flooding? Why not relocate these facilities to another site, such as the Ross Post Office or another property in Town?

There are no other suitable Town-owned properties in Ross that are outside of a flood hazard zone. The Ross Post Office and Ross Common are in a federally-regulated floodway, which severely restricts new development.  Although still subject to flooding, the current fire station and police building are outside the regulatory floodway.  Construction is allowed in this zone as long as the first floor of the structure is at least 1’ above the “100-year base flood elevation” (BFE).

We currently estimate an additional cost of approximately $150,000 (for site grading and fill) to elevate a new fire station and other facilities 1’ above the BFE. Conversely, it would be infeasible to raise the current fire station, which consists of steel-framed service bays and attached 2nd storey living spaces.  The service bays would need to be reconstructed over the new fill, and then the adjoining portions of the old structure would need to be reconfigured to conform to the new service bay elevation.

7. If Ross does not rebuild the fire station, how will fire services be provided?

Ross would receive fire services from a neighboring fire station in San Anselmo (1.1 miles away) or Kentfield (.65 miles away).  Police services would remain based in Ross. Paramedic services could continue to be provided from Ross or could alternatively be moved to another location.

8. Would there be a difference in fire or paramedic response time if we do not rebuild the fire station?

For 90% of all emergency incidents in Ross, the fire engine response time is currently 7 minutes, 55 seconds; this is considered good for a suburban community. Relocating fire services outside of Ross will increase response times for fires and non-medical calls by approximately 2 minutes, to 9 minutes, 55 seconds similar to average outer suburban response times. If paramedic services were to remain stationed in Ross, 85% of emergency medical calls would still be answered in 7 minutes, 55 seconds. The higher two minute response time would occur when the Ross-stationed ambulance is out on another call. Ross police vehicles also carry defibrillators and would continue to respond to medical emergencies.

9. What does a two minute more response time to a fire or medical emergency mean?

We would expect minimal outcome changes associated with medical emergencies as the ambulance would still provide an average response time of 7 minutes 55 seconds 85% of the time. The volume of working fire Fstincidents in Ross is extremely low (3 in a two-year period).  Outcomes in those cases would likely be very similar with potential in structure fires to have further interior loss but the fire still remain within the building of origin. For wildland fires, a similar outcome would be expected, as additional staffing would be provided on days of higher risk such as red flag warnings.

10. If there is a major wildfire in Marin and Ross what is the effect of the fire station being located in Ross versus not having a station in Ross?

Typically, wildfires generate a broad regional response and the quality of response is more contingent on the size of the responding force (personnel and equipment) than the locations of individual fire stations.  In recent years, the regional response has been proactively organized and coordinated during red flag warnings and other high fire risk events with additional staff and fire engines placed strategically throughout the County to respond to potential incidents.

11. What is the effect on fire insurance if the fire station is not located in Ross?

Fire insurance carrier’s policies can vary but fire insurance rates are predominantly based on the type of construction, hydrant location and water system pressure, fire protection (sprinklers) and occupancy of a building. Insurance providers use analytics companies such as Insurance Services Office (ISO) to help determine risks with insuring properties. We do not expect a change to the Ross Valley Fire Department’s ISO rating if Ross no longer has a fire station.

12. Are there other towns in Marin that do not have their own fire stations?

The City of Belvedere does not have a fire station in the city.  Belvedere had a fire station until 1981 when the city began contracting for fire protection services with the Tiburon Fire Protection District.  Fire protection services for Belvedere are provided from a fire station located in Tiburon.

13. Is it feasible for the Town to set up its own separate fire department?

No. In 2012, the Ross Town Council voted unanimously to merge the Ross Fire Department with Ross Valley Fire Department. This was done not only to expand fire protection services, but also to save costs through reduced overhead and administration costs, overtime and the elimination of Social Security contributions.

14. Once the scope of the project is decided, how will it be funded?

When construction begins, the Town anticipates that it will have approximately $7 million available to contribute to the facilities. Large capital improvements often need funding from new taxes.  Any taxes or assessments would require a 2/3 voter approval. The Town has not determined which method of tax or assessment would be used to finance the facilities. Three options are being considered: a general obligation bond; a certificate of participation backed by a parcel tax; or a community facilities special tax. The decision on which option to use would not be made until after the Town decides what facilities will be rebuilt, and likely not until after the facilities are designed with an associated cost estimate.  

15. Could the current Ross Public Safety Parcel Tax help fund the construction project?

Ross residents currently pay a Public Safety Parcel Tax ($1,069 per parcel) to help support the annual operational costs of providing police and fire services. This tax is in effect through 2025; a 2/3 voter approval is required for amendment or extension. A separate facilities tax measure would be necessary to fund capital improvements and would also be subject to a 2/3 voter approval.

16. Is there a “no tax” option?

No.  The buildings housing public safety personnel and equipment are in such a state of obsolescence and disrepair that further delay in addressing this issue could jeopardize the Town’s ability to provide these services.

17. What are the next steps?

- Questionnaire emailed and postcard mailed to residents for input
- Town Council to determine which Town facilities to reconstruct
- Project design and concurrent environmental review
- Ballot measure for funding
- Preparation of construction drawings
- Federal, state, and local permitting
- Construction (including temporary facilities)

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