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Construction Update - May 2008

         May 20, 2008

            Update on Design and Construction Projects

Henry Gideon reported that as the design teams have moved from the design development phase and into construction phase, it was becoming increasingly important to begin sharing cost estimates on the three 2007 bond projects.  Mr. Gideon reported district staff, contractors, and the district architects have been reviewing cost increase concerns and while he said he did not want to alarm the Board or our taxpayers, construction cost increases are a reality and they can be attributed to increased fuel costs, construction inflation, the impact of the earthquake in China, along with the tragedy in Burma, and other global events.  As a result, he said, there are some uncertainties pertaining to construction materials and supplies that could have an impact on our projects.  Mr. Gideon also noted that school districts across the state have been scrambling to manage construction budgets, and that we, too, have pushed our design teams very hard in an attempt to stay within budget, while keeping as much of our design and program requirements in place as is reasonably possible.

Mr. Brad Pfluger of Pfluger Associates presented a summary of the current construction schedules which targets substantial completion for the new CCHS by July 2010; for the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts by August 2009; and for the Stadium by August 2009.  Mr. Sean Conner of Pfluger Associates stated that the High School and Stadium completion dates were necessary for the start up of that fiscal school year; however he mentioned that the Performing Arts Center date could be a bit more flexible. Brad Pfluger reviewed a summary of the cost estimates for the budgets on all three projects. He said that these budget estimates included contingency dollars built into the numbers, but as of this reporting he said all projects are estimated to be slightly above budget targets with contingencies. Mr. Pfluger confirmed Mr. Gideon’s statement that the design team, district staff, and the contractors were working to find savings in projects, but that we would need to move soon put construction documents out to bid and to consider and approve construction GMP’s (guaranteed maximum pricing).

Mr. John Eaton asked what type of contract is in use by the district with regards to contractors and what guarantees are in the contract that rewards for on-time completion and coming in under budget.  Mr. Gideon stated that the district uses the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) methodology, as approved by the Board of Trustees and that these contracts are essentially “fee plus cost.”  Mr. Gideon further stated there are no provisions to reward on-time performance and or for delivering construction projects under budget.  Mr. Eaton questioned there being no consequences for coming in over-budget or late. Mr. Gideon stated that the existing CMAR process requires performance bonds, sureties, and liquidated damages in the contract as approved by the Board of Trustees in order to protect the taxpayers against performance and budget concerns.  Mr. Gideon also stated that once the contractors present for board consideration and approval the guaranteed maximum price (GMP), the contractors must then deliver at that price.  He added that anything over the GMP would be the responsibility of the contractor and that all savings realized, by staying below the GMP, would come back to the taxpayers.

Sean Connor also updated the board on the schedule and budget, along with representatives of the three contractor firms.  In the presentations given, CCHS is currently at 103.4% of current budget estimates, the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts is at 101.2% of budget estimates, and the Stadium is at 102.8% of budget estimates.  All three contractor representatives stated that global steel prices have risen 40 to 50% since December of 2007 and that fuel costs will be an issue and will have an impact on materials and supply.

Mr. Conner also presented variations on the entrance to CCHS and to the vertical tower to include different materials that reflected the Central Texas and native Bastrop County stone.  He added the architects would welcome comments and input on tower option from the board by the next regular board meeting.

Consider Authorization to Seek Proposals for the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts

Sean Conner and a representative from Bartlett-Cocke presented the request to seek proposals for the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts.  With design development completed and approved by the Board of Trustees, the architects are ready to put the construction documents out for bid.  Sean Conner and Denise Shaw (lead designer of this project with Pfluger Associates) stated the construction documents have accommodated likely cost increases and that the design team had already trimmed all possible fat while maintained the approved aesthetic.  Denise cited a couple of examples:  1. Utilizing existing trees instead of purchasing new trees for landscaping other than that required by the City of Bastrop per code.  2.  A change has been made to the original roofing structure to save money on steel costs, however this would not affect acoustics and the roof would still come with a twenty (20) year warranty.

 

Jim Mills moved and Sophia Williams seconded to authorize the architect to seek proposals for the Jerry Fay Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts. President Allen asked the Board for comments or discussion. There being none, President Allen called for a vote. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Consider Approval of the Design Development for the BISD Centralized, Multi-Purpose Athletic Stadium and Authorize the Architect to Proceed with the Construction Document Phase

Sean Conner and a representative from Drymalla Construction presented information on the schedule and budget for the stadium and asked the Board of Trustees to consider approval of the Design Development for the stadium.

Glenn Peterson moved and John Eaton seconded to approve the design development for the BISD Centralized, Multi-Purpose Athletic Stadium and authorize the architect to proceed with the construction document phase. President Allen asked the Board for comments or discussion. There being none, President Allen called for a vote.    MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Consider Possible Construction Alternatives for the BISD Centralized, Multi-Purpose Athletic Stadium

Henry Gideon reported to the Board that district staff and the design team looked into the possibility of possible construction alternatives for the stadium which included pre-purchasing steel.  Mr. Gideon and a representative from Drymalla reported there would be no cost benefits, therefore there would be not action needed from the Board of Trustees.

Demographic Report Presentation – presented by School District Strategies/Larry Blair

Larry Blair with School District Strategies presented a demographic study of Bastrop ISD. Henry Gideon commented that the data analysis assumed that CCHS would open in 2010 as a grade 9 or a grade 9 and 10 configuration, but that this was for informational purposes only. He reminded the Board that they had made no decisions with regards to CCHS configuration.  Mr. Blair reported that Hispanic population increases are the most rapidly growing population in Bastrop County. He also reported that the Socio-economically disadvantaged student group is rapidly growing as well. Mr. Blair reported his firm was contracted to provide BISD with quarterly updates on student and economic growth.  He invited the board and district staff to attend seminars his firm’s parent organization holds in Austin every 90 days to review economic development in the Central Texas area. Mr. Blair reported that although BISD is still one of the fastest growing districts in Texas over the last 10 years, a look at the projections indicated that the lower scenario for student growth was most likely to occur for enrollment projections over the next 10 years due to a slow-down in the economy, increased fuel prices, and slow development.  President Allen told board members that the board would be taking up the discussion of CCHS configuration in future meetings and that he would invite input from the public.  Mr. Gideon mentioned that according to the demographic study, the BBE, CCE & Mina attendance zones – were the district’s fastest growth areas. He also indicated there had been a shift in the growth patterns in the western attendances zones and that while high school student growth continued in the southwest in and around the proposed third High School Site at 812 and 21, high school growth was also growing faster in and around the new CCHS site and all along the 71 corridor. Mr. Blair added that he works with a lot of school districts across the state, but he wanted to especially compliment the outstanding folks here at BISD for their knowledge and assistance.