Vote Set on Building Lease

A measure on the Nov. 6 ballot will ask San Fernando voters if they want to lease the city’s old police station to either public or private organizations at fair market value.

The City Council on Monday night approved placing a measure on the ballot asking voters what they want to do with the old building at 120 MacNeil St. The San Fernando Police Department moved to a new station at 910 1st St. in 1988.

Under a voter initiative approved in 1986, the City Council is prevented from selling, leasing or exchanging the police station property without voters’ approval.

The initiative, spearheaded by then-Councilwoman Carmillis Noltemeyer, was aimed at thwarting a plan by the City Council to demolish the building, leaving the 31,000-square-foot Civic Center land open for development. Noltemeyer has since moved out of the community.

In other business, the council unanimously appointed Les Barnett as acting director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department while a search is conducted to replace Dave Watt, the former director who retired last month.