City Council Preview - Nov 7

The agenda this week has two major items. The first is the district election transition that has been covered (Click Here). The second is the Civic Center. Staff is asking to spend an additional $375,170 on top of the $70,000,000 we are already committed to spending. This additional $375,170 is meant to hire an “owner representative” who will do the work the staff is supposed to do. The City already hired a company to handle “construction management services”. Apparently the proposed new company will manage the managers. According to the staff report –

“The City is contracting with various firms for the Civic Center project. The Owner’s Representative services differ from those provided by the City’s Construction Management provider, Bernard Bros and other consultants/ vendor firms on the project. The Owner’s Representative does not manage project activities or contractors, but rather, monitors and represents the City’s interests in areas where the City may not have construction knowledge and expertise. They also provide recommendations to the City on required decisions. In instances where the City may receive differing advice from consultants and contractors, the Owner’s Representative would offer guidance to the City in determining a course of action.

Overall, the City expects to rely on the consultant’s experience in advising the project and provide the City with “a second set of eyes.” The services also provide better assurance that a quality, cost effective project is completed on schedule and within budget. The services will be time and materials-basis; services will be utilized as needs arise throughout the project. The selected consultant is anticipated to attend regular weekly and monthly project meetings.”