Bond Oversight Committee Member Present:
Mr. Scott Folsom
External Members Present:
Mr. Dan Basalone, Associated Administrators of Los Angeles
Mr. Howard Lappin, Los Angeles County Alliance for Student Achievement
Staff Present:
ƒMr. James A. McConnell, Jr., Chief Facilities Executive
Mr. Chuck Burbridge, Deputy Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Guy Mehula, Deputy Chief Facilities Executive, New Construction
Mr. Jim Delker, Acting Deputy Chief Facilities Executive, Existing Facilities
Mr. Richard Luke, Director of Design and A/E Technical Support
Mr. Sam Yoshida, Director, Facilities Contracts
Mr. Richard M. Luke, Director, Planning and Design
Mr. Bruce Kendall, Director of Maintenance and Operations
Ms. Lorena Padilla-Melendez, Director of Community Outreach
Mr. John Walsh, Assistant General Counsel
Dr. Chuck Schepart, Program Analyst, Independent Analysis Unit
REMARKS
Mr. McConnell made the following remarks about the new construction program:
€ 13 projects have been completed, 7 new schools and 6 additions for about 3,800 new seats.
€ 51 projects are under construction.
€ Since the last committee meeting, there was a groundbreaking at South Gate New Elementary
School No. 7.
€There will be a ribbon cutting for the addition at Lankershim Elementary School on October 1, 2003.
Mr. McConnell stated that today's meeting would largely focus on the existing facilities program and
report on progress made in e-rate, Prop BB projects, and maintenance and operations.
ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL FACILITIES FEE (DEVELOPER FEE)
Mr. Burbridge summarized the report and stated that the level 2 developer fee rate has been in place
since 2000 and that the Board is required to annually readopt this rate.
Mr. Burbridge and Mr. McConnell responded to the Committee's questions regarding the use of
developer fee monies and said they are specifically used to reduce overcrowding as a capital expense.
Mr. Burbridge, Mr. McConnell, and Mr. Walsh then responded to the Committee's question regarding
how much additional money the $.18 rise in fee generates, what are the developer fee rates for
affordable housing and senior housing, who is assessed developer fees, how much money is annually
brought into the District from developer fees, and how the Facilities Services Division makes use of
developer fees.
Mr. Lansing voiced concern over the impact of raising the developer fee rate and subsequently asking the public to approve a new bond measure in March 2004.
Later in the meeting, there was further discussion by the Committee regarding developer fees.
Mr. Tokofsky said he had several questions regarding this topic and would forward his questions to the
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a response. He said he wanted to ensure that applicable city officials
had received notice of the Board's action and were aware of the public hearing. The report was approved
by Mr. Lansing, Mr. Huizar, Mr. Tokofsky, and Ms. LaMotte to go forward to the September 23, 2003,
Board meeting Regular Calendar for action.
OVERVIEW OF THE REPAIR/MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
Mr. Delker began by highlighting accomplishments achieved within the last few years including:
€ the development of the Strategic Execution Plan,
€ the implementation of the project management software Primavera and Expedition,
€ the e-rate program successfully being executed, and
€the implementation of an integrated pest management system and the implementation of the
Collaborative for High Performance Schools program. Both programs are leaders of its kind in the
State.
Mr. Delker then gave an overview of the functions and responsibilities of the departments in his branch including Space Allocation, Inspection, Design, Facilities Projects, and Maintenance and Operations. He also summarized the execution of the Superintendent's Restroom Initiative, the progress on implementing Maximo software, and the requested Inspector General's audits scheduled for Maintenance and Operations during 2003-04.
Mr. Mehula, Mr. Luke, and Mr. Delker responded to the Committee's questions regarding community involvement in the design process.
Mr. Delker then responded to the Committee's questions and concerns regarding the availability and expertise of inspectors, performing construction during school hours, hiring of bathroom attendants, funding of the repair/modernization program, staffing in the existing facilities branch, and the reasons for conducting certain Inspector General Audits in 2003-04.
Per the Committee's request, Mr. Delker said he would provide a summary of all Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) projects, how much QZAB monies, private funds, and general fund monies were used, how the general fund was paid back, the regulations and criteria for the utilization of QZAB funding, and whether or not the District continues to use this form of funding.
Mr. Delker and Mr. Kendall then addressed the Committee's questions regarding the impact of the State's and District's budget cuts on deferred maintenance and the impact of the construction of 79 new schools on the staffing and funding of maintenance and operations.
After discussion of project management expenses related to the repair/modernization program,
Mr. Lansing urged Mr. Delker to reduce the program and project management costs for the Measure K
repair program from an anticipated 16 percent to 13 percent. Mr. Delker said that this suggestion will be
addressed and once these anticipated costs have been finalized, that information will be provided to the
Committee as well as reported in the Measure K repair/modernization projects strategic execution plan.
Mr. Tokofsky asked for a legal opinion on the usage of developer fees for repair/modernization projects as well as the possibility of saving the fees for future expenditures. Dr. Schepart said that in the past, the interest accrued from developer fees could be used as if they were general fund monies. Mr. McConnell said he would inform the CFO of this request.
MONTHLY PROGRAM STATUS REPORT FOR EXISTING FACILITIES
Mr. Delker summarized the monthly program status report and briefed the Committee on the progress of the safety and technology projects. In order to help execute these projects, the prequalification requirements will be tailored to require contractors to show special applicable experience.
Mr. Tokofsky requested an opinion regarding whether or not the level 2 developer fee rate can be raised to the level 3 rate if there are no Prop 47 monies left for the repair/modernization program. The CFO will be informed of this request.
APPROVAL OF THE JULY 15, 2003, AUGMENTED FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Tokofsky, in referring to page 4, asked that the following requests for information be fulfilled:
€ Mr. Tokofsky asked to be briefed on the qualification criteria for Small Business Enterprise Program;
Mr. Yoshida agreed.
€ Per Ms. LaMotte's request, Mr. Yoshida will provide a list of small businesses who are currently
involved in the program.
The minutes were approved as presented by the Committee.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH NOTIFICATION PROCESS
Mr. Mehula introduced Ms. Padilla-Melendez who briefed the Committee on the outreach efforts for the Phase 2 New Construction program. She summarized the efforts at the project definition and site selection stages.
Ms. Padilla-Melendez, Mr. Mehula, and staff then responded to the Committee's questions regarding:
€ project definition stage introductory meetings,
€ success of the Phase 2 outreach efforts to date,
€ how we are notifying and engaging the community in the outreach process,
€ how task forces are formed and how they are related to the community,
€ staff attending Board meetings in order to address speakers from the community,
€ the Board's role in the project definition stage,
€ funding of the community outreach department and meetings,
€ the efforts of the predevelopment managers, and
€ guidelines for the development and design of projects.
Mr. Folsom asked that he be informed of the date and location of the first community outreach project definition stage introductory meeting in District J.
Mr. Lauritzen suggested that community outreach meetings be held at a later hour. Ms. Padilla-Melendez said the suggestion would be taken into consideration.
Mr. Huizar encouraged community outreach staff to communicate to the Board Members the results and
issues of community meetings in their districts. Mr. McConnell suggested that results of the meetings be
posted on the division's website. Ms. Padilla-Melendez said staff would investigate this possibility.
Ms. LaMotte suggested further that a weekly update of community meetings and their results be printed in
local newspapers.
Ms. LaMotte requested a copy of the preliminary scenarios to meet the demographic need in her district that the community will submit input on; Ms. Padilla-Melendez agreed.
Mr. Tokofsky requested an opinion regarding whether or not developer fees could be used to fund staff and community outreach efforts that are not currently being funded through bonds. Mr. McConnell said he would refer this request to the CFO.
Mr. Tokofsky also requested to be briefed on the guidelines for the development and design of projects; Ms. Padilla-Melendez agreed.
Mr. Folsom suggested the division's outreach efforts be expanded to address existing facilities projects.
AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR EXCHANGE OF PROPERTY AND JOINT USE, CONSIDERATION OF CEQA ADDENDUM, AND PROJECT APPROVAL FOR JEFFERSON NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NO. 1 (MARTIN LUTHER KING BOULEVARD AND SAN PEDRO STREET)
Mr. Mehula accentuated that this project, North Hollywood New Elementary School No. 3, and Gratts New Early Education Center are examples of the District's efforts to collaborate with other entities for the completion of construction of new schools.
Mr. Mehula described the land swap with the Department of Recreation and Parks which will result in better land utilization. He and Mr. Joseph Moscriello, Regional Director, South Region, then answered the Committee's questions regarding the joint use agreement, community involvement throughout this process, and who would be responsible for maintaining the site. Mr. Tokofsky requested a one page summary of who would be responsible for maintaining each portion of the joint use site.
The report was approved by Mr. Lansing, Mr. Huizar, Mr. Tokofsky, and Ms. LaMotte to go foward to the September 23, 2003, Board meeting Consent Calendar for action.
AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE AND ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR EXCHANGE OF
PROPERTY AND JOINT USE, CONSIDERATION OF CEQA ADDENDUM, AND PROJECT
APPROVAL FOR NORTH HOLLYWOOD NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NO. 3 (TUJUNGA
BOULEVARD AND CALIFA STREET)
Mr. Mehula described the joint use effort with Department of Recreation and Parks for this project. He described the lease swap as well as the land utilization for this project.
He and Mr. Paul Baker, Regional Director, Valley Region, then responded to the Committee's concerns regarding the students' safety on the joint use site, supervision of the park during nonschool hours, Division of State Architect approval of the site design, and the budgetary effects of making this project into joint use project.
Mr. Tokofsky requested that the joint use agreement be presented to the Board for their approval;
Mr. Mehula agreed.
The report was approved by Mr. Lansing, Mr. Huizar, Mr. Tokofsky, and Ms. LaMotte to go forward to the September 23, 2003, Board meeting Consent Calendar for action.
AMENDMENT TO ADD ONE PROJECT TO THE JANUARY 2003 STRATEGIC EXECUTION PLAN FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION, GRATTS NEW EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
Mr. Mehula described the project whose planning was a collaborate effort among A Community of Friends, a local nonprofit affordable housing developer, New Schools Better Neighborhoods, a nonprofit civic organization, Councilmember Ed Reyes, and the Mayor's Office. This collaborative effort will provide the neighborhood community with a new housing project, primary center, and an early education center, albeit without providing open green spaces. Through this collaborative effort, the District will save approximately $4.5 million on relocation costs which will be redirected to the Early Childhood Program budget and will go towards construction of projects on the priority list.
SPEAKERS
Ms. Guadalupe Duran-Medina from Councilmember Ed Reyes' office, spoke on behalf of the Councilmember about the Memorandum of Understanding that led to the collaborative efforts on this project. She said Councilmember Reyes was supportive of maintaining the collaborative process and said he uses this model as an example of a successful collaborative effort of land use that he wishes to replicate across the city.
Ms. Susan Cline, Mr. David Campbell, and Mr. David Able, from New Schools Better Neighborhoods, spoke on the collaborative efforts to plan this project.
Ms. Alma Marquez from the Latin American Urban Forum spoke in support of collaborative planning processes.
Mr. David Marquez from Central City Urban Partners, spoke in support of the project and urged more community engagement in the planning process and continued collaboration.
The report was approved by Mr. Lansing, Mr. Huizar, Mr. Tokofsky, and Ms. LaMotte to go forward to the September 23, 2003, Board meeting Regular Calendar with the intention to postpone Board action until the October 14, 2003, Board meeting.
Mr. Tokofsky requested a one page narrative giving the history of this project. He also requested a one
page summary explaining why this early education center, and the related project Gratts New Primary
Center, will be located across the street from an existing elementary school and how the three schools will
cohere.
AUTHORIZATION FOR STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS FOR REAL ESTATE DUE DILIGENCE, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES, AND DESIGN ACTIVITIES REQUIRED TO DELIVER THE PROPOSED MEASURE K PROJECT AT GRATTS NEW EARLY EDUCATION CENTER
Discussion of this item was included in the discussion on item: Amendment to Add One Project to the January 2003 Strategic Execution Plan for New Construction, Gratts New Early Education Center.
The report was approved by Mr. Lansing, Mr. Huizar, Mr. Tokofsky, and Ms. LaMotte to go forward to the September 23, 2003, Board meeting Regular Calendar with the intention to postpone Board action until the October 14, 2003, Board meeting.
MONTHLY PROGRAM STATUS REPORT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
This item was deferred by the Committee.
RECEIPT OF WRITTEN REPORTS
The following reports were received without discussion:
€ E-Rate Status Report
€ Legislative Update
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
2. Approval of the July 15, 2003, Augmented Facilities Committee 3 minutes Jim McConnell
Meeting Minutes
3. Adoption of Alternative School Facilities Fee (Developer Fee) 15 minutes Kenneth Gotsch
4. Overview of the Repair/Modernization Program 30 minutes Jim Delker
5. Monthly Program Status Report for Existing Facilities 10 minutes Jim Delker
6. Community Outreach Notification Process 10 minutes Guy Mehula
Lorena Padilla-
Melendez
7. Authorization to Negotiate and Enter into Agreements for 10 minutes Guy Mehula
Exchange of Property and Joint Use, Consideration of CEQA
Addendum, and Project Approval for Jefferson New
Elementary School No. 1 (Martin Luther King Boulevard
and San Pedro Street)
8. Authorization to Negotiate and Enter into Agreements for 10 minutes Guy Mehula
Exchange of Property and Joint Use, Consideration of
CEQA Addendum, and Project Approval for North
Hollywood New Elementary School No. 3 (Tujunga
Boulevard and Califa Street)
9. Amendment to Add One Project to the January 2003 10 minutes Guy Mehula
Execution Plan for New Construction, Gratts New Early
Education Center
Augmented Facilities Committee
Thursday, September 11, 2003
Page 2
PRESENTATION
AND DISCUSSION
PRESENTATION TIME PRESENTOR
10. Authorization for Staff to Proceed with the Expenditure 10 minutes Ron Bagel
of Funds for Real Estate Due Diligence, Environmental
Studies, and Design Activities Required to Deliver the
Proposed Measure K Project at Gratts New Early
Education Center
11. Monthly Program Status Report for New Construction 10 minutes Guy Mehula
12. Receipt of Written Reports