Resilient Infrastructure​

Summary of objective implementation status (achievements or progress over last year; significant delays or issues, etc.)

From 2021-2023 progress included: The Board of Supervisors approved a reduced space standard of 170 square feet per person, down from 250, for energy-efficient, lower-impact workspaces. This approach aims to cut material use, heating, cooling, and lighting needs, reducing the carbon footprint.

The County is exploring ways to minimize the footprint of a new Government Center and, in 2023, considered leasing a 120,000-square-foot building with an option to purchase. This recently constructed building (2015) includes energy-efficient systems and flexible infrastructure, offering cost and carbon savings compared to new construction.

Ongoing efforts include resilience upgrades, such as the $1.7 million Climate Resilience Fund allocation for the Santa Rosa Veterans Building. The County mandates eco-friendly practices like deconstruction and recycling in all construction projects to reduce waste and emissions.

In 2024 Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) moved forward with projects in several leased buildings and tenant improvements in owned building focus on prioritizing space needs that reflect the changing needs/work patterns of modern workforce as well as modern public service delivery

Key milestone update (include relevant metrics, if applicable)

• In January 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved the existing County Administration Center site as the tentative location for a new County Government Center, for purposes of conducting further analysis and other pre-project planning, feasibility, and development plan efforts.
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• In November 2023, the County and building owner of 400 Aviation Blvd agreed on a letter of intent to lease with an option to purchase. The lease and purchase option are in negotiations.
• In 2024, SIP launched space reconfiguration projects with HSD, Probation, Registrar of Voters/Clerk Recorder Assessor, SPI, Regional Parks, and the Sheriff’s Office.

Coordination and partnership update

This objective has direct impacts on several other objectives:

• RI 1.2 Standards for Office improvements: The new CGC will establish standards that can be applied to existing offices;

• RI 2.3 Design and build a new, resilient Emergency Operations Center (EOC): The new EOC will be part of the procurement for the new CGC;

• CAR 2.3 Design or retrofit County facilities to be carbon neutral, zero waste and incorporate resilient construction techniques and materials: Re-use of existing buildings is the most carbon economical solution for facilities since carbon associated with manufacture of new materials, transportation of materials and construction equipment are avoided.

SPI continues to foster close partnerships with departmental end users

Community, equity and climate update

The new County government center project will be approached with methodology to maximize service delivery to the community with a focus on equity and triple net zero practices to minimize environmental impact.

If this objective received Strategic Plan funding, please provide the project status and amount spent to date for non-position related funding.

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