Parlier council scales back police‑building addition, approves change orders to repair existing station

At its March 5, 2026 meeting Parlier’s City Council approved Resolution 2026‑26 authorizing the city manager to execute change orders that remove a previously proposed front addition to the police station and instead concentrate funds on repairing and upgrading the existing building.

Interim Police Chief Mike Salvador described the existing police building as more than 40 years old and outlined structural problems — rotten siding, interior damage from grading and stormwater intrusion, an awkward bathroom elevation and emergency power issues. Salvador said the originally proposed 20‑by‑60 addition cost estimate was about $1,400,000 and that the project overall had been pushing beyond $3,000,000. He recommended killing the addition and redirecting funds to make the building weather‑tight, fix internal systems, remove asbestos and add lifesafety and operational improvements, including four electric‑vehicle charging stations.

A development representative (Javier) and a project engineer presented preliminary change‑order options and estimated the removed addition would free funds to rehabilitate the existing facility while delivering a facility with a projected 25‑year life. Salvador said removing the addition would also allow the project team to present a design with curb appeal and an improved lobby and public restroom.

Councilmember Diego Garza moved to approve the resolution and was seconded (by Kathy). The council approved Resolution 2026‑26 by voice vote, 4 yes, 1 absent.

Later in the meeting, during the closed‑session report‑out, the city attorney reported the council voted 4–0, with 1 absence, to approve filing a cross‑claim in federal litigation: Jose Acosta v. Ahmed Najee dba Shop and Save Market, 766 Fresno LLC, Sukh Baj Randhawa and Rajinder Randhawa, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, case 1:25‑CV‑00210‑SKO. The report listed the cross‑claim defendants and noted the vote was by motion of Councilmember Sabrina Rodriguez, seconded by Councilmember Diego Garza.

Councilmembers thanked staff and the interim chief for work to keep the project within budget parameters and requested staff share the design images with the public before construction. Salvador said the project team aims to begin construction in April (after asbestos removal) and hoped for a ribbon‑cutting later in the year.