9 a.m. - Listening to City Commission Work Session

Click title for link to live audio.  Rick Gonzalez is talking about the turtle-safe lighting that will be used on the east side of the building - it will have an amber color.  He also said that the windows are required to have a dark tint - which is not ideal for a retail situation.  Commissioner McVoy suggests that hours of operation might be shorter because of this.  Commissioner Golden sees it as a selling point since "we are so in to eco-tourism" - she sees this aspect of the project being a draw - that the building is turtle-friendly.

Rick Gonzalez mentions that it is important to get a commercial leasing agent involved soon. (There were no responses to the revised RFP after releasing Compass Realty Advisors.)

The Mayor says that the shop owners will adapt.  McVoy says the tinting just gives a reduction, it depends what light is inside.  The architects are saying that the actual fixtures and lighting will be LEED certified.  DEP will want to review the tenant lighting. McVoy disagrees that the LEED requirements will meet the turtle requirements.  He thinks the shop owners are going to want to crank the light up.  He likes Commissioner Golden's approach that this is a different building and this should be expected.  McVoy wants night photos of an existing installation along the beach.

Maxwell asked what level of LEED certification would the building would achieve.  Gonzalez responded that it would just be "certified" - the lowest level.

Mulvehill asks about hiring local contractors.  Wants some commitment from Morganti what that would that mean from local workers.  Morganti says that they have engaged the local Chamber of Commerce, advertised local, scoured the "Blue Book" for Lake Worth contractors, etc.

Maxwell asked about the schedule for permitting for the building.  Will the permits be in hand before before we sign off on the Morganti fixed-price contract?  Assistant City Manager essentially says - kind of.  She says that they will not have the building permits in hand - mentions various permits.  The West Palm Beach building official is the acting building official for Lake Worth - still.  The CCCL permit has been submitted - expecting the permit approval by May 2nd.

Lots of talk about the benefits and costs of partitioning the ballroom.

They are now on to the electric system upgrade.  I am going to keep listening, but won't be taking notes, as I am on to something else now.  Please leave comments if you are listening.