The budget proposes $19.6 million for capital outlay for the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). This amount includes $3.8 million form the General Fund, $13 million from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, $2.5 million from the Habitat Conservation Fund, and $0.3 million from the Environmental License Plate Fund. The budget also proposes $22.2 million in local assistance, which includes $13.5 million from the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund, $2.4 million from the Habitat Conservation Fund, $4 million from the Recreational Trails Fund, and $2.4 mil-lion from federal funds.
We recommend the Legislature adopt budget bill language directing the Department of Parks and Recreation to end the practice of providing engineering, architectural, and related capital outlay staff services for other state agencies on the basis of interagency agreements. In addition, the department should account for reimbursements it has received for this work in the past.
For several years, DPR has provided engineering, architectural, and related capital outlay services to other state agencies on the basis of inter-agency agreements and has received reimbursements from those agencies. Figure 1 shows the reimbursements DPR has generated from this activity in recent years.
Unless the Legislature has provided specific exceptions, the Department of General Services (DGS) is authorized by law to manage design and construction of capital outlay projects (major and minor) for all state departments. Historically, DGS has delegated responsibility for minor projects to departments (such as DPR) with engineering and architectural staff.
| Figure 1 | |||||
| Department of Parks and Recreation
Capital Outlay Staff Services Provided to Other Agencies | |||||
| (Reimbursements in Thousands) | |||||
| Agency | 1994-95 | 1995-96 | 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 |
| Department of Boating and Waterways | -- | $17 | -- | -- | -- |
| California Highway Patrol | $324 | 392 | $300 | $285 | $156 |
| Department of Transportation | 355 | -- | -- | 2 | 139 |
| Department of Health Services | 3 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Tahoe Conservancy | 5 | 2 | 2 | -- | -- |
| Totals | $687 | $418 | $308 | $290 | $296 |
If there is insufficient capital planning and minor capital outlay work in DPR to justify its capital outlay staff, it should address the need for continued funding of those positions. In light, however, of the large deferred maintenance program the department has to manage, it would seem that its engineers, architects, and related staff would be working on that program rather than providing services to other departments. The centralization of capital outlay staff in DGS allows efficient use of the expertise of the engineers, architects, and related specialized staff. Circumvention of this requirement by DPR and other state agencies is inappropriate.
Accordingly, we recommend the Legislature adopt budget bill language directing DPR to end the practice of providing engineering, architectural, and related capital outlay staff services for other state agencies on the basis of interagency agreements. In addition, the department should account for reimbursements it has received for this work in the past.
We recommend the Legislature delete budget bill language that would permit the department to manage the design and construction of five major capital outlay projects. (Delete Provision 1 of Item 3790-301-0001 and Provision 3 of Item 3790-301-0263.)
The budget provides provisional language that would permit the department to manage the design and construction of the following capital outlay projects:
For the reasons discussed in the previous issue, we recommend the Legislature not approve these exceptions to the law which requires DGS to manage the design and construction of major capital outlay projects. Centralization of engineering and architectural staff in DGS permits efficient use of staff because the expertise of many technical disciplines is available in one agency. The DGS has experience in managing projects such as these and has well-developed procedures, standards, and technical capability. We recommend the Legislature discourage the dispersal of responsibility for managing major capital outlay projects to DPR and other departments.
We withhold recommendation on $13.5 million of local assistance grants for off-highway vehicle facilities pending receipt of information about grant recipients and projects. (Withhold recommendation on Item 3790-101-0263 [1].)
The 1999-00 Budget Act appropriated $16.6 million to DPR for local assistance grants to cities, counties, special districts, or federal agencies. Figure 2 shows how the department distributed these funds. It shows that 95 percent of the grant funds went to the federal government.
The Governor's budget proposes $13.5 million for these local assistance grants in 2000-01. The DPR advises that it plans to solicit grant applications for these grants in early 2000 and have a list of potential grant recipients by May 2000.
We withhold recommendation on this item until the list of recipients is provided to the Legislature. If the department proposes to distribute these off-highway vehicle grants as it did in 1999-00 and other prior years, a large majority of the funds will be granted to the federal government. We recommend the Legislature have information about the grantees available to it if it is going to consider such a large subsidy to the federal government.
| Figure 2 | |
| Department of Parks and Recreation
Local Assistance Grants From the Off-Highway Vehicle Trust Fund | |
| 1999-00
(In Thousands) | |
| Recipient | Amount |
| U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Forest Service--for operation and maintenance | $8,021 |
| U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Forest Service--for capital outlay | 7,790 |
| California cities, counties and special districts--for operation, maintenance, and capital outlay | 744 |
| Total | $16,555 |
We withhold recommendation on $2 million from the General Fund to rehabilitate the sewer system at Lake Oroville State Recreation Area pending receipt of information on cost-sharing agreement for this project with the Lake Oroville Area Public Utility District. (Withhold recommendation on Item 3790-301-0001 [3].)
This project includes replacement of sewage lift stations and rehabilitation of gravity and forced mains lines for a sewer system that serves the Lake Oroville Area Public Utility District as well as the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. The district serves the residential community of Kelly Ridge Estates. The DPR has advised that the district has used this state-owned sewer line for a number of years without charge. The 1999-00 Budget Act appropriated $168,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings for this project. It also included language requiring that, before construction funding is appropriated:
No information has been provided to indicate these agreements have been reached with the district. In addition, Provision 4 of Item 3790-301-0001 of the 1999-00 Budget Act requires that if the department receives reimbursement from the district for prior-year operating and maintenance expenses for the system, those funds shall be deposited in the General Fund.
We withhold recommendation on this project pending receipt of the information required by the 1999-00 Budget Act and a
report of any funds received by the department from the district and the disposition of these funds.
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) operates four state hospitals--Atascadero, Metropolitan, Napa, and Patton. The budget includes $2.1 million from the General Fund for the department's capital outlay program. This amount includes $1.5 million to provide furnishings and equipment for two new buildings, $430,000 for minor capital outlay (projects costing $250,000 or less), and $150,000 to study options for renovating an existing facility.
The Governor's budget also includes $5.6 million in the department's support budget (Item 4440-001-0001) for facilities improvements related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at three of the four state hospitals. The department has proposed funding these improvements as special repair items rather than capital improvements under the capital outlay program. In our analysis of the support budget (please see the "Health and Social Services" chapter of this Analysis), we have recommended that the Legislature delete the funds and that the department resubmit its proposal as a capital outlay project. We also note that the proposal as submitted lacks sufficient information for the Legislature to evaluate it as a capital outlay project. For example, the request includes $4 million for Patton State Hospital but there is no information on either the existing problems or what work will be undertaken in each of the 42 buildings identified in the proposal. In addition, the budget amount is based on an estimate prepared in 1994 and simply updated for inflation. If the department resubmits this proposal, it should address these issues.
With regard to the proposed capital outlay program, we recommend approval of $986,000 to equip the new 250-bed
addition at Atascadero (scheduled for completion in the budget year) and $430,000 for minor capital outlay. The other
projects are discussed below.
We recommend the Legislature delete $533,000 for equipment for the R&T and Administration Building because (1) the replacement building is not scheduled to be completed before December 2001 and (2) there should not be a need to purchase equipment for replacement space. (Delete Item 4440-301-0001 [2].)
The budget proposes $533,000 from the General Fund to purchase new office equipment and furnishings for the R&T and Administration replacement building. This building is not yet under construction and is not scheduled to be completed before December 2001. Consequently, a request for equipment funding in 2000-01 is premature. Furthermore, the building replaces existing space. There should be no need to purchase new equipment through a capital outlay appropriation. Instead, the existing furniture and equipment should be moved from the existing location to the new building when it is available. The need for any new equipment for existing programs should continue to be addressed in the department's support budget. Consequently, we recommend the Legislature delete the $533,000 requested under Item 4440-301-0001 (2).
We recommend the Legislature delete $150,000 for a study to remodel Building 196, S Units, at Napa State Hospital because the department has not substantiated the need for a study, and studies of this nature should be undertaken, if necessary, using existing resources in the support budget. (Delete Item 4440-301-0001 [3].)
The budget proposes $150,000 from the General Fund to study the need for a capital outlay project for Building 196, S Units, at Napa State Hospital. The department has a five-year capital outlay plan that includes proposals for 14 projects with an estimated $117.5 million total cost. The determination of the need for these projects is the responsibility of the department through its support budget. Any funds needed to study existing facilities and develop a capital outlay proposal should be under-taken on a priority basis using resources in the department's support budget, similar to the other projects in their five-year plan. Consequently, we recommend the Legislature delete the $150,000 requested under Item 4440-301-0001 (3) to study Building 196, S Units.
The California Department of Corrections (CDC) operates 33 prisons and 38 fire and conservation camps throughout the state. The prison system also includes 14 community correctional facilities operated by private firms, cities, or counties under contract with the CDC and two county jails leased and operated by the department. As of December 31, 1999, the system housed 161,000 inmates.
The budget includes $117 million General Fund for capital improvements at existing state institutions. The estimated future cost to complete these projects is $38 million. The budget includes the following proposals:
Of the 40 major capital outlay projects in the budget, 25 were previously funded for preliminary plans and/or working drawings. The budget proposes to fund the working drawings and/or construction phases for these 25 projects. The 15 other major projects are proposed for initial funding. We have identified issues with the projects detailed below, and recommend the Legislature approve the balance of requested projects.
We recommend the Legislature approve $23,023,000 of funding requests for working drawings and/or construction for ten projects contingent on completion of preliminary plans consistent with prior legislative approval.
The Governor's budget includes funding requests for working drawings and/or construction of ten continuing projects totaling $23 million for which preliminary plans were funded in prior years. The projects, funding requested, and future costs are detailed in Figure 1.
| Figure 1 | ||||
| Department of Corrections
Projects Recommended for Approval Contingent on Preliminary Plan Completion | ||||
| (Dollars in Thousands) | ||||
| Item
5240-301-0001 |
Project Description | Phase
a |
Budget
Amount |
Scheduled
Completion |
| (2) | California Correctional Institution--New Potable Water Source Phase II | WC | $1,725 | 4/00 |
| (11) | Folsom State Prison-- Renovate Branch Wiring, Building 5 | C | 796 | 2/00 |
| (12) | Folsom State Prison-- Renovate Branch Wiring, Maintenance Shops | C | 983 | 2/00 |
| (13) | California Institution for Men-- TB/HIV Engineering Controls | C | 967 | 2/00 |
| (16) | California Medical Facility-- TB/HIV Engineering Controls | C | 363 | 2/00 |
| (19) | California Mens Colony-- Hospital Air Conditioning | C | 666 | 3/00 |
| (23) | California Mens Colony-- Central Kitchen Replacement | C | 6,035 | 3/00 |
| (25) | R. J. Donovan-- Reverse Osmosis Purification System | C | 3,527 | 2/00 |
| (32) | California Rehabilitation Center-- Replace Men's Dorms Phase II of VI | WC | 6,356 | 5/00 |
| (33) | California Rehabilitation Center-- Perimeter Fence | WC | 1,605 | 3/00 |
| Total | $23,023 | |||
| a W=working drawings and C=construction. | ||||
The amounts included in the budget are all consistent with the inflation adjusted future costs previously recognized by the Legislature. Therefore, we recommend the Legislature approve the requested amounts contingent on completion of preliminary plans consistent with prior legislative approval.
The use of inmate day labor should be significantly less costly than bidding a project to a private contractor. However, the department is not realizing such savings. If the Department of Corrections cannot commit to providing a substantial savings compared to private contracting for a construction project, we recommend that the Legislature adopt budget bill language prohibiting the use of inmate day labor on major capital outlay projects.
The Inmate Day Labor (IDL) program is a statewide in-house construction operation which combines private trade personnel (carpenters, electricians, etc.) and inmates to construct projects at various institutions. The use of IDL should be significantly less costly than bidding the project to a private contractor because lower wages are paid to inmates and over-head and profit charged by the private contractor are eliminated. In addition, there should be less cost for the state to oversee the construction work.
However, these savings apparently have not been realized for recent major capital outlay projects. For example, in the 1999-00 Budget Act, the Legislature authorized the use of the IDL program to construct 18 projects at various institutions, shown in Figure 2 (see next page). (One of the projects has been resubmitted in the 2000-01 Governor's Budget.) The level of funding provided was based on the cost of labor and materials as if the project were constructed by a private contractor, except the profit and overhead charged by a private contractor were eliminated. In addition, there should be less cost for the state to oversee the construction work. However, as shown in Figure 2, the department indicates the estimated cost of these projects is $4.6 million (36 percent) higher than the approved budgets.
| Figure 2 | |||
| Department of Corrections
Cost to Construct Projects With Inmate Day Labor | |||
| (Dollars in Thousands) | |||
| 1999-00 Budget Act Amount | Current Estimate | Percent Increase | |
| Central California Women's Facility-- EOP/RCSEa | $922 | $1,100 | 19
% |
| Central California Women's Facility-- CCCMSa | 519 | 619 | 19 |
| California Institution for Men, Central-- RCSE/CCCMS | 772 | 900 | 17 |
| California Institution for Men, Minimum-- CCCMS | 460 | 548 | 19 |
| California State Prison, Corcoran-- CCCMS/EOP | 1,155 | 1,371 | 19 |
| North Kern State Prison--RCSE | 692 | 796 | 15 |
| North Kern State Prison--CCCMS | 547 | 649 | 19 |
| Wasco State Prison--CCCMS | 547 | 649 | 19 |
| Avenal State Prison--CCCMS | 457 | 591 | 29 |
| California Institution for Women-- EOP/CCCMS | 533 | 728 | 37 |
| California Institution for Women--RCSE | 478 | 590 | 23 |
| California Rehabilitation Center--CCCMS | 481 | 607 | 26 |
| Deuel Vocational Institution--RCSE | 501 | 692 | 38 |
| Mule Creek State Prison--EOP/CCCMS | 1,186 | 1,508 | 27 |
| R. J. Donovan--CCCMS/RCSE | 600 | 829 | 38 |
| California State Prison--CCCMS | 433 | 605 | 40 |
| Wasco State Prison--RCSE | 646 | 831 | 29 |
| California State Prison--Correctional Treatment Center Phase II | 2,106 | 3,555 | 69 |
| Totals | $13,035 | 17,018 | 31% |
| a EOP=Enhanced Outpatient Care Program; RCSE=Reception Center and Screening and Evaluation; and CCCMS=Correctional Clinical Case Management System. | |||
In October 1999, the administration (pursuant to the requirements in the Government Code) notified the fiscal committees and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) that 17 of the projects could not be completed without additional spending authority. The department was unable to provide any information to support the requests for higher material and labor costs. For example, the department indicated for one project that 3.5 private contract IDL supervisors would cost more than all labor costs for the entire job if the project were competitively bid. In another case, the department estimated that the materials for the project would cost 30 percent more if the project were completed using IDL rather than a competitive bid process. No information was made available to validate these or other claims for why the costs would be so high.
In response to the administration, the Chair of the JLBC did not agree with the department's proposal and advised that the department should either proceed with the projects as planned or provide more detailed documentation why material and labor costs using IDL would be greater than the budgeted amount. No documentation has been received to date to validate the claim of higher costs. If no information is forthcoming or if the department continues to indicate savings cannot be realized using IDL, the projects should not be done using inmate labor and instead should be competitively bid. In this case, the Legislature should adopt budget bill language stipulating that no capital outlay project shall be under-taken using IDL.
We recommend the Legislature delete $3,555,000 from the working drawings and construction of the Correctional Treatment Center, Phase II project at California State Prison, Solano because sufficient funds have been appropriated by the Legislature to complete the project and the department has not demonstrated a lack of funds. (Delete $3,555,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 [18].)
The budget proposes $3,555,000 from the General Fund for working drawings and construction for the Correctional Treatment Center, Phase II located at the California State Prison, Solano. The administration proposed this project during the 1998-99 budget process, and the Legislature appropriated $236,000 including $86,000 for the preliminary plan and $150,000 for working drawings. The Legislature appropriated $2,106,000 in the 1999-00 Budget Act for construction of the project.
The administration's current construction funding request is $1,299,000 (62 percent) higher than the Legislature appropriated in the 1999-00 Budget Act. The CDC attributes the cost increase to the inability of the IDL construction program to complete the project within the amount appropriated. Therefore, the department has not proceeded with the project. The department has not provided any documentation to support the claim, and should complete the project using IDL within the previous budget appropriation. Therefore, we recommend the Legislature delete $3,555,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 (18). If, however, the department demonstrates it cannot undertake the project with IDL within the funds provided, the Legislature should approve the request and adopt budget bill language indicating that the project should be competitively bid.
We recommend the Legislature reduce the $2,967,000 requested for construction of the Correctional Treatment Center, Phase II project at North Kern State Prison by $952,000 because insufficient documentation has been provided to justify this 47 percent increase in the project cost. (Reduce Item 5240-301-0001 [39] by $952,000.)
The budget proposes $2,967,000 from the General Fund for the construction phase of the Correctional Treatment Center, Phase II located at North Kern State Prison. The project will renovate 15,700 square feet of existing space and construct nearly 5,000 square feet of space for the delivery of mental health services to inmates housed at the institution. The 1998-99 Budget Act appropriated $223,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings for the project. Chapter 888, Statutes of 1999 (SB 112, Costa) reappropriated funds for the working drawing phase.
The construction funding request represents an increase of $1 million (47 percent) over the cost recognized by the Legislature at the time planning funds were authorized. The department indicates the increased costs are based on preliminary plans, but no documentation has been provided on why the estimate is over budget by 47 percent. The project is scheduled to begin construction in February 2001. Because the department has not justified the large increase in construction cost, we recom-mend the Legislature reduce Item 5240-301-0001 (39) by $952,000 to provide a construction cost in line with previously recognized costs.
We recommend the Legislature delete $14,289,000 for the construction phase of the Correctional Treatment Center, Phase II project at California State Prison, San Quentin because the department has not resolved site location issues and preliminary plans are not complete. (Delete $14,289,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 [27].)
The budget proposes $14,289,000 from the General Fund for the construction phase of the Correctional Treatment Center, Phase II located at California State Prison, San Quentin. The project will construct 31,000 square feet of space for the delivery of mental health services to inmates housed at the institution. The 1998-99 Budget Act appropriated $1,279,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings for the project.
In August 1999, the Department of Finance submitted a letter to the fiscal committees and the JLBC proposing to change the project scope, relocate the facility from the original site inside the prison fenced perimeter to a site inside the prison walls, and also augment the project cost by $127,000 to redesign the building. The department was unable to either substantiate a need to relocate the facility or for the additional funds. No information was made available regarding the potential impact on the construction cost. Consequently, the Chair of the JLBC advised the department that he did not agree with the proposal and advised the department to spend only the funds necessary to investigate the feasibility and cost effectiveness of relocating the facility. The department's most recent information indicates that additional site and soil surveys will be conducted to gather information. No further documentation has been made available. Pending the survey results, it is not clear (1) when preliminary plans could be completed and (2) how the possible relocation will affect construction costs. Under the administration's proposal, however, construction funds will not be needed in the budget year. Consequently, we recommend the Legislature delete $14,289,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 (27).
We recommend the Legislature delete $3,019,000 from the General Fund requested for eight projects at six institutions because the projects (1) have not been justified, (2) are behind schedule, or (3) should be funded through the support budget.
The Governor's budget includes $3,098,000 for various phases of eight projects as shown in Figure 3 (see next page). The department has been unable to justify various aspects of the projects, including cost and scope. Many of the projects are behind schedule, while others are not appropriately funded through a capital outlay request. These projects and our concerns with each are discussed below.
| Figure 3 | |||
| Department of Corrections
Projects Recommended for Deletion | |||
| (Dollars in Thousands) | |||
| Item 5240-301-0001 | Project Description | Phase
a |
Budget Amount |
| (21) | California Mens Colony--Fire Alarm System Upgrade | S | $307,000 |
| (22) | California Mens Colony--Potable Water Treatment Facility Upgrade | S | $201,000 |
| (28) | California Institution for Women-- Infrastructure Study | S | 224,000 |
| (34) | California Rehabilitation Center--Patton State Hospital Perimeter Fence | W | 508,000 |
| (35) | Sierra Conservation Center--Effluent Disposal Pipeline | W | 380,000 |
| (37) | Mule Creek State Prison--Central Plant Renovation | PWC | 854,000 |
| (42) | California State Prison--Firing Range Modifications | PWC | 342,000 |
| (43) | California State Prison--Construction of Wastewater Plant | S | 203,000 |
| Total | $3,019,000 | ||
| a S=study; P=preliminary plans; W=working drawings; and C=construction. | |||
Various Institutions--Project Studies. The budget includes a total of $935,000 for four studies related to various infrastructure issues. Studies to determine capital outlay needs are part of the department's responsibility to develop five-year capital outlay plans. This function is included in the department's support budget and additional funds should not be provided under capital outlay. In addition, the budget includes $400,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 for the department to undertake planning for projects that may be included in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 Governor's budgets. These funds could be used for the requested studies if they are a high priority. Thus, we recommend the Legislature delete a total of $935,000 from the request and Items 5240-301-0001 (21), 5240-301-0001 (22), 5240-301-0001 (28), and 5240-301-0001 (43).
California Rehabilitation Center, Norco--Patton State Hospital Perimeter Fence. The budget includes $508,000 for working drawings for the Patton State Hospital Perimeter Fence project at the California Rehabilitation Center, Norco. The 1999-00 Budget Act appropriated $120,000 for preliminary plans, which were scheduled to be completed in March 2000. The future cost to construct this project is $10,460,000. At the time this analysis was prepared, the Department of General Services reported that the preliminary plans would not be complete until May 2001 and did not have schedule information for working drawings. Given the current status of the project, the requested funds are not needed for the budget year. Consequently, we recommend the Legislature delete $508,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 (34).
Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown--Effluent Disposal Pipeline. The budget includes $380,000 for the working drawing phase of the Effluent Disposal Pipeline project at the Sierra Conservation Center. The 1998-99 Budget Act appropriated $592,000 for preliminary plans, which were to be complete by December 1999. The 1999-00 Budget Act appropriated $350,000 for property acquisition for the pipeline. The current schedule indicates that preliminary plans will not be complete until December 2000, one year behind schedule. As a result of the delays in designing the project (estimated in 1998 to cost over $8 million), the Legislature has no more information on the scope and cost of the project than it had two years ago. Consequently, we recommend the Legislature delete the $380,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 (35).
Mule Creek State Prison--Central Plant Renovation. The budget includes $854,000 for preliminary plans, working drawings, and construction to renovate the Central Plant at Mule Creek State Prison, which opened in 1987. The department claims the capacity of the current heating and domestic water distribution systems cannot meet the needs of the new Correctional Treatment Center under construction at the institution. The department also claims that the system capacity is only marginally adequate to serve the existing institution. No data has been provided to substantiate these claims. For example, no information is available documenting the current heating and water system capacity compared to heating and water demand or if any resource conservation measures have been implemented at the prison. In addition, no information has been provided on the heating or water needs of the new correctional treatment facility. Due to a lack of justification for this proposal, we recom-mend deleting $854,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 (37).
California State Prison, Sacramento--Firing Range Modifications. The Governor's budget proposes $342,000 for modifications to the firing range at California State Prison, Sacramento. The range has been open since 1987. Specifically, the project would install a bullet trapping system, regrade the range, and install new walkways, lighting, and drainage. The department identified potential support budget offsets totaling more than $75,000 per year. While the department has raised questions of safety related to the current range, the proposed work primarily is limited to maintenance of the range--including accumulation of expended ammunition casings, earth berm stabilization, and target maintenance. These are all issues that the institution should address within the $10 million it receives annually for special repairs in the support budget. Therefore, we recommend the Legislature delete $342,000 under Item 5240-301-0001 (42).
We withhold recommendation on $29,682,000 requested for six projects because additional information is needed, including resolution of cost and scope issues.
The Governor's budget includes funding requests for various phases of six projects totaling $29.7 million, as shown in Figure 4. These project requests may warrant further consideration pending receipt and review of additional information resolving outstanding scope and cost issues. For all of the projects, more detailed information is required to substantiate the need for the amount requested and future costs. These projects and our concerns with each are discussed below.
| Figure 4 | |||
| Department of Corrections
Withhold Recommendation Pending Further Information | |||
| (Dollars in Thousands) | |||
| Item 5240-301-0001 | Project Description | Phase
a |
Budget Amount |
| (15) | California Medical Facility--Unit V Modular Housing Replacement | PW | $349 |
| (17) | California Medical Facility--Cell Window Modifications | WC | 5,275 |
| (20) | California Mens Colony--Wastewater Collection Treatment Upgrade | WC | 23,385 |
| (24) | California Mens Colony--Electrified Fence | PW | 196 |
| (26) | San Quentin State Prison--Construct Receiving and Release Building | PW | 286 |
| (36) | Sierra Conservation Center--Electrified Fence | PW | 191 |
| Total | $29,682 | ||
| a P=preliminary plans; W=working drawings; and C=construction. | |||
California Medical Facility--Unit V Modular Housing Replacement. The Governor's budget proposes $349,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings to replace modular housing at the California Medical Facility, Vacaville. The estimated future construction cost is $5,535,000. The project will construct two 13,200 square foot dormitory style housing units. However, the department has not provided any detailed information to substantiate either the current request or the future cost for the project. If this project is approved, the Legislature should recognize the savings of 11 personnel-years and $45,000 in annual maintenance costs identified by the department.
California Medical Facility--Cell Window Modifications. The budget includes $5,275,000 for working drawings and construction to replace 1,662 windows at the California Medical Facility, Vacaville. The project will replace the existing 39-inch by 57-inch windows with 6-inch wide windows. Preliminary planning funds for this project were included in the 1999-00 Budget Act. The requested funds are consistent with the inflation adjusted amount previously recognized by the Legislature. However in 1999-00, the department was asked to provide information regarding lead paint abatement costs and associated construction budget impacts. At the time this analysis was prepared, this information had not been received.
California Mens Colony, San Luis Obispo--Wastewater Collection Treatment Upgrade. The budget includes $23,385,000 for working drawings and construction to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant at the California Mens Colony located in San Luis Obispo. The 1999-00 Budget Act appropriated $950,000 for preliminary plans, which are scheduled to be completed in April, 2000. In addition to the institution, the treatment plant is used by the County of San Luis Obispo and Cuesta Community College. The Supple-mental Report of the 1999-00 Budget Act directed the department to enter into a cost-sharing agreement with all users of the facility to pay their appropriate share of the project cost. No information has been received to date regarding the status of this agreement.
California Mens Colony, San Luis Obispo--Electrified Fence. The department proposes $196,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings to construct an electrified fence at the California Mens Colony located in San Luis Obispo. Neither a detailed current cost estimate or the future construction cost has been provided. An annual future cost savings has been identified by the department of 14.5 personnel years and $725,000 due to reduced security needs. If this project is approved, we recommend the Legislature should recognize the savings identified by the department.
San Quentin State Prison--Construct Receiving and Release Building. The budget includes $286,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings for a new Receiving and Release Building at San Quentin State Prison. The estimated future construction cost for this project has been identified as $2.3 million. According to the department, the design proposed will be similar to the receiving and release facility at North Kern State Prison. The department has not provided any justification for the current request or future cost for the project.
Sierra Conservation Center, Jamestown--Electrified Fence. A project to design an electrified fence for the Sierra Conservation Center is included at a cost of $286,000 for preliminary plans and working drawings. The estimated future construction cost is nearly $3 million. However, the department has not provided detailed cost information to justify either of these amounts. The project will construct a lethal electric fence around the perimeter of the Level III institution. The department has identified a future annual savings of 14.5 personnel years and $725,000 due to reduced perimeter staffing. If this project is approved, the Legislature should recognize the savings identified by the department.