Friday, February 17, 2012
Candidates for city manager down to 8
Susan Stanton dropped from consideration for City Manager in League City, Texas. It's a suburb of Houston. Click title for link.
Click here for live audio from City Commission Work Session (2/17)
This is on the major portion of the beach redevelopment project and the Morganti Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract. Click here for back-up. Mulvehill is absent, or at least not present at the beginning of the meeting.
Staff is making a presentation. Ms. Margoles is leading it. Representatives from Kimley Horn and Morganti are present, along with Jason Bregman (Micheal Singer Group) and John Szerdi (Living Designs Group.) The GMP is set at $6,424,000 which includes a $800,000 allowance for parking lot lighting that will light only 300 and some parking space - it is not for the entire parking area. There is also an allowance for repairs of the seawall at $224,207.50. Contingency amounts to $50,000 (?) They are reviewing the changes made for value engineering and the exceptions to the contract. There is quite a list of alternates - Margoles is saying the direction from the Commission was to go out and get a base bid and then make adjustments from there. There are 33 separate alternates.
They are talking about the phasing plan. It has two main phases and keeps 50% of the parking available throughout the project. The plan is also being reviewed by Palm Beach County for impact to their park to the north. Phase 1 includes the back of the dune, installation of utility lines in the western parking lot and allows normal access through the site. Phase 2 includes the eastern area, the promenade, beach area and the main entrance. They are reviewing the lighting plan now. The western parking area would represent half of the total number of light fixtures.
They anticipate beginning in March, finishing up everything by January. Two access points would be maintained during the entire construction period. Work around the casino building would be over with in September, which would allow the tenants to do their improvements and move-in sometime in October.
They are taking 5 minutes to get back-up material distributed from the December 20th meeting. (9:35 a.m.) They are back at 9:42 a.m. This material shows the break down of the bids and actual item costs.
Mayor thanks everyone for their presentation and notes that the project is more expensive than anticipated. She also notes that the $800,000 for lighting leaves the western parking area unlit. 346 spaces would be lighted and are enough, per code, to serve the building/tenants. She points out that there are more "adds" than "deletes" in the alternates. She asked about the total number of parking spots available for the pier during May and June. Answer: 33 plus 2 handicapped. Most of the spaces in the western lot will be open during that time.
McVoy thanks everyone and is excited that they are at this stage. He thinks that the total is $5 million for the county and $1.2 million that was budgeted already and expected. We are not looking for unbudgeted money. The exception is the seawall. He has a number of questions on the alternates and what is in and what it out. The way he looks at this is that Micheal Singer group presented design concepts - they were interesting features and had an overall concept. This would be a big part of what makes this project extraordinary. He is concerned that many of those are sliding off the map now.
The Mayor asks about the county grant and what is eligible. Margoles says that the agreement specified items that would be paid by the grant. She says the disconnect this point is that some of the individual items cost more than the original bid, once they were bid out.
Maxwell says that $280,000 was the original estimate for utilities. The cost now is $1.8 million, including the lights. He says that finally we are having a conversation on the totality of the project, which is what we should have been doing all along. The cost now is more than what was promised to the community - that was $11 million. (listening on-line - stream went down at 10:15) - will try to get it back. (Back up now a few minutes later) They are talking about the main entrance features and those are unknown at this point. He asks about the numbers today have been bid out and did they actually get the three bids. He said yes, and Morganti says that yes, they did. They can present the actual bids. Maxwell would like an explanation if there was less than three sub-contractors bidding on an item. The county money cannot fund anything related to the casino building area and areas that would be used for decal parking. He asks if we are in jeopardy of losing the grant based on the timelines contained in the agreement. Margoles says that the city is fine with the County regarding the timelines. He wants to make sure that the County can't back out of the agreement. The next deadline is February 2nd of 2013 and that would be for the end of construction. He would like a letter from the County acknowledging same. Carr says that they will ask for that. The bid documents can be available Monday or Tuesday of next week. The meeting concerning the contract and the Commission issuing it is scheduled for Thursday. He is concerned about the amount of time he has to review them.
McVoy talks about getting a Good Housekeeping letter from the County. To do that, the County needs to know what we are doing and when we are doing it. Right now, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday. If there isn't time, then we are going to have re-schedule the meeting and the County would need to know that new date. Amoroso would like a breakdown given to the Commission so that everything is identified that is making up that total. How can you bid it out without a breakdown? (have to step away for a few minutes)
Staff is making a presentation. Ms. Margoles is leading it. Representatives from Kimley Horn and Morganti are present, along with Jason Bregman (Micheal Singer Group) and John Szerdi (Living Designs Group.) The GMP is set at $6,424,000 which includes a $800,000 allowance for parking lot lighting that will light only 300 and some parking space - it is not for the entire parking area. There is also an allowance for repairs of the seawall at $224,207.50. Contingency amounts to $50,000 (?) They are reviewing the changes made for value engineering and the exceptions to the contract. There is quite a list of alternates - Margoles is saying the direction from the Commission was to go out and get a base bid and then make adjustments from there. There are 33 separate alternates.
They are talking about the phasing plan. It has two main phases and keeps 50% of the parking available throughout the project. The plan is also being reviewed by Palm Beach County for impact to their park to the north. Phase 1 includes the back of the dune, installation of utility lines in the western parking lot and allows normal access through the site. Phase 2 includes the eastern area, the promenade, beach area and the main entrance. They are reviewing the lighting plan now. The western parking area would represent half of the total number of light fixtures.
They anticipate beginning in March, finishing up everything by January. Two access points would be maintained during the entire construction period. Work around the casino building would be over with in September, which would allow the tenants to do their improvements and move-in sometime in October.
They are taking 5 minutes to get back-up material distributed from the December 20th meeting. (9:35 a.m.) They are back at 9:42 a.m. This material shows the break down of the bids and actual item costs.
Mayor thanks everyone for their presentation and notes that the project is more expensive than anticipated. She also notes that the $800,000 for lighting leaves the western parking area unlit. 346 spaces would be lighted and are enough, per code, to serve the building/tenants. She points out that there are more "adds" than "deletes" in the alternates. She asked about the total number of parking spots available for the pier during May and June. Answer: 33 plus 2 handicapped. Most of the spaces in the western lot will be open during that time.
McVoy thanks everyone and is excited that they are at this stage. He thinks that the total is $5 million for the county and $1.2 million that was budgeted already and expected. We are not looking for unbudgeted money. The exception is the seawall. He has a number of questions on the alternates and what is in and what it out. The way he looks at this is that Micheal Singer group presented design concepts - they were interesting features and had an overall concept. This would be a big part of what makes this project extraordinary. He is concerned that many of those are sliding off the map now.
The Mayor asks about the county grant and what is eligible. Margoles says that the agreement specified items that would be paid by the grant. She says the disconnect this point is that some of the individual items cost more than the original bid, once they were bid out.
Maxwell says that $280,000 was the original estimate for utilities. The cost now is $1.8 million, including the lights. He says that finally we are having a conversation on the totality of the project, which is what we should have been doing all along. The cost now is more than what was promised to the community - that was $11 million. (listening on-line - stream went down at 10:15) - will try to get it back. (Back up now a few minutes later) They are talking about the main entrance features and those are unknown at this point. He asks about the numbers today have been bid out and did they actually get the three bids. He said yes, and Morganti says that yes, they did. They can present the actual bids. Maxwell would like an explanation if there was less than three sub-contractors bidding on an item. The county money cannot fund anything related to the casino building area and areas that would be used for decal parking. He asks if we are in jeopardy of losing the grant based on the timelines contained in the agreement. Margoles says that the city is fine with the County regarding the timelines. He wants to make sure that the County can't back out of the agreement. The next deadline is February 2nd of 2013 and that would be for the end of construction. He would like a letter from the County acknowledging same. Carr says that they will ask for that. The bid documents can be available Monday or Tuesday of next week. The meeting concerning the contract and the Commission issuing it is scheduled for Thursday. He is concerned about the amount of time he has to review them.
McVoy talks about getting a Good Housekeeping letter from the County. To do that, the County needs to know what we are doing and when we are doing it. Right now, the meeting is scheduled for Thursday. If there isn't time, then we are going to have re-schedule the meeting and the County would need to know that new date. Amoroso would like a breakdown given to the Commission so that everything is identified that is making up that total. How can you bid it out without a breakdown? (have to step away for a few minutes)
Click here for Video of CRB 02-13-12 Meeting
Panagioti Tsolkas has this authority questioned. Thank you Mark Parrilla for the video!
There seems to be some confusion about how Robert's Rules allows the creation of a sub-committee and how that could be at odds with the Sunshine Law. It is not as much "at odds" with the Sunshine Law, it is just that if two or more members of a public board meet, the meeting has to have a public notice and minutes need to be taken.
There seems to be some confusion about how Robert's Rules allows the creation of a sub-committee and how that could be at odds with the Sunshine Law. It is not as much "at odds" with the Sunshine Law, it is just that if two or more members of a public board meet, the meeting has to have a public notice and minutes need to be taken.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
West Palm Beach audit committee member Gregory Daniel quits, calls city corrupt
Our neighbors to the north are having issues with their Internal Auditor. It also seems like citizens are seeing what is really happening, but everyone else chooses to look the other way. Click title for link.
Susan Stanton interested in Sarasota city manager post | HeraldTribune.com
Click title for link to Herald/Tribune article. This is a good way of putting it (emphasis mine):
"After she was cut from the finalist for Sarasota city manager, Stanton eventually landed a job as city manager in Lake Worth. But after less than two years, she was fired again as commissioners responded to public anger over her management of the city."
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Hollywood Nights - LULA Fundraiser
Attention All Lake Worthians...LULA Lake Worth Arts is having a Fundraiser March 15th 6pm-10pm at Brogues Down Under...Please join us for an evening of Hollywood Stars with Dinner, Drinks and Entertainment!!! Brogues will donate a percentage to the LULA Lake Worth Arts mural project on the 1000 Lake Ave building...Please come out and support the Arts scene!!!!
Closed-Door Commission Meeting tomorrow (2/16)...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Mango Groves February Meeting 2/16/12
Please join the Mango Groves Neighborhood Association at our February meeting this Thursday 7pm at the Compass Center. Our guest speaker this month will be Steve Haughn of Leisure Services who will be giving a short presentation on the Snook Islands Project. Following the meeting will be a second informational meeting on the proposed Mango Groves Neighborhood Watch.
We hope to see you there and please bring your neighbors!!
mangogroves.org
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mango-Groves-Neighborhood-Association/187588861263064
Snook Islands fish pier, boardwalk set to open in Lake Worth
Click title for link to PBP article. This is a great project - the official opening ceremony will be on February 29th. Below is a part of the article:
That must be the 8 mile kayak trail with the convenient portage across Dixie Hwy. And, just how does one create a kayak trail? Are there signs? A map? Any evidence that one exists other than through Willie Howard's keyboard?
Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill, a kayaker who helped create the 8-mile Lake Worth Paddling Trail, said the new facilities should attract visitors interested in nature-based recreation.
That must be the 8 mile kayak trail with the convenient portage across Dixie Hwy. And, just how does one create a kayak trail? Are there signs? A map? Any evidence that one exists other than through Willie Howard's keyboard?
Sunday, February 12, 2012
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