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:
Mr. James A. McConnell, Jr., Chief Facilities Executive
Mr. Roy Romer, Superintendent
Mr. Timothy Buresh, Chief Operating Officer
Ms. Deborah Hirsh, Chief Human Resources Officer
Ms. Megan Klee, Chief Information Officer
Mr. Glenn Gritzner, Special Assistant to the Superintendent
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
Dr. James Alther, Director, Strategic Planning for Information Technology Division
Mr. Dale Braun, Director, School Management Services
Mr. Scot Graham, Director of Leasing and Asset Management
Mr. Sam Yoshida, Director of Facilities Contracts
Mr. Ron Bagel, Acting Director of Real Estate
Ms. Kathleen Price, Administrative Coordinator, Certificated Administrative Services Section
Mr. Jess Womack, Associate General Counsel II
Mr. Secundino Garcia, Program Analyst, Independent Analysis Unit
Mr. McConnell made the following remarks regarding the New Construction Program:
As of today's meeting, 15 projects have been completed resulting in 4,200 new two-semester
seats, 52 projects are under construction, and the construction program is approximately 5.6
percent under budget and has a favorable change order rate of 4.2 percent.
PRELIMINARY MASTER PLAN FOR 2151 NORTH SOTO STREET SITE (EAST LOS ANGELES
SKILLS CENTER, DISTRICT F, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIVISION)
Mr. Bagel gave a brief background of the project. He stressed that the information being presented today is a preliminary study; an Adult Education plan is being prepared and is necessary before moving forward on a complete master plan for the site. Also, there are specific safety issues that need to be addressed prior to the finalization of the longer-term master plan. A plan for these safety issues will be presented to the Board in the near future.
Mr. Graham described the preliminary master plan and provided details in the following areas: map, layout, and current utilization of the Soto Street property; corrective recommendations to be executed during the Safety and Functionality phase; the contemplated projects to be completed during the East Los Angeles Skills Center phase of the plan; and the budget estimates of completing both phases. Mr. Graham added that a portion of the site is targeted for Phase 2 and Phase 3 middle school expansion and that the plan has been developed to be flexible in the event it is identified for a future school site.
Mr. Graham responded to the Committee's questions regarding funding of the actions identified in the preliminary plan.
Mr. Folsom asked that the funding issues be discussed with Mr. Tom Rubin, Bond Oversight Committee (BOC) Consultant, and be presented to the BOC if appropriate. Mr. Graham replied that efforts to identify funding are being led by Adult Education and they would be better able to address further questions.
Mr. Tokofsky requested the record show he did not agree with many of the conclusions presented in the preliminary master plan.
Mr. Lansing voiced concern over the number of unfunded mandates coming forward to the Board for approval.
APPROVAL OF THE AUGUST 28, 2003, AND SEPTEMBER 11, 2003, AUGMENTED FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Mr. Tokofsky asked that the minutes reflect whether or not responses to various requests have been provided to requestors.
The minutes were approved by the Committee as presented.
PHASE 1 NEW SCHOOLS ACTIVATION PLAN
Ms. Braun began the presentation with a history of School Management Services. She then reviewed the 15 new schools and additions on the activation list for 2004, staff that will coordinate these activations, and the alternate housing options available if the new facilities are not ready by occupancy date. She then described the school activation process and milestones, and the different operational units involved throughout and after the activation process.
Ms. Hirsh then reviewed the staffing process for administrators and teachers.
Mr. Buresh gave an overview of the school activation budget and indicated that more funding is needed for furniture, furnishings, and equipment (FF&E). Additionally, a $20 million shortfall exists in fiscal year 2003-2004. In order to address these budgetary issues, corresponding budget cuts will be made and an increase to the FF&E budget will be included in the next bond measure.
He concluded the entire presentation with a discussion on the implementation of small learning communities and its anticipated effects on facilities, facilities design and planning, school management, and school activation.
Mr. Buresh responded to the Committee's questions and concerns regarding the implementation of small learning communities.
Ms. Hirsh and Ms. Price responded to the Committee's questions and concerns regarding certificated positions.
Ms. Braun responded to the Committee's questions and concerns regarding opening multitrack schools on Track A versus other tracks and alternative ways to relieve overcrowding.
Ms. LaMotte asked for information regarding when a receiver school for Fremont High School would be included in a bond measure. Mr. McConnell said he would provide this information.
Mr. Tokofsky asked that the criteria for placing administrators and teachers at school sites be brought to the Board for discussion.
MARCH 2004 BOND PACKAGE
Superintendent Romer and Mr. Gritzner described the proposed March 2004 bond measure. They discussed the District's need to relieve overcrowding and the proposed program goals and funding allocation for repair, new construction, technology, refinancing, library books, charters, early education, adult education, and audit process.
SPEAKERS
Mr. George Cole, City of Bell Mayor Pro Tem, expressed the desire to have parity in terms of quality and number of educational facilities in southeast Los Angeles communities as is in other District areas that previously benefited from bond measures. He also asked that the quality of educational opportunities for this area be addressed in the proposed bond measure.
Ms. Ofelia Hernandez, City of Huntington Park Councilmember, asked that the educational needs of her community be addressed in the proposed bond measure.
Ms. Tova Joffe, from Children's Museum of Los Angeles, announced that the Children's Museum is
interested in pursuing a partnership with the District that is similar to the partnership for Manual Arts New
Elementary School No. 1 (Museum Science Center).
Ms. Janet Provencio and Ms. Ana Aguiniga, community members from Local District J, asked that the educational needs in their community be addressed in the proposed bond measure.
Mr. Gritzner and Mr. Romer received the Committee's suggestions for changes to current bond materials. They, along with Mr. McConnell, Mr. Delker, and Ms. Klee responded to the Committee's questions and concerns including day-long kindergarten facilities needs, garnering public support for the bond, and criteria for identifying the funding need for repair projects, small learning communities, technology, and library books.
Mr. Tokofsky requested information regarding basic maintenance funding and the amount of money expended on projects within the past few years. He also requested that other maintenance expenditures be included in this analysis. Mr. Delker will provide this information.
Mr. Tokofsky asked to meet with staff regarding the proposed technology funding and what kind of projects would be included and the amount to be leveraged to get greater funds.
Mr. Tokofsky requested information describing what basic fire and safety technology is provided for elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. Mr. Delker will provide this information.
Mr. Tokofsky requested a copy of the legislation regarding storm water runoff. Mr. Delker has provided this information.
MEASURE K LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES STRATEGIC EXECUTION PLAN
Dr. Alther described the four major project areas of the execution plan: centralized library automation system, providing library books to new schools, library connectivity, and replacement of book theft detection systems.
After a brief discussion, the Committee unanimously recommended that the report be placed on the October 28, 2003, regular Board meeting Receipt Calendar.
MONTHLY PROGRAM STATUS REPORT FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
Mr. Mehula presented the monthly status report. Mr. Mehula noted that construction bids received are 1.41 percent over the amount estimated and that there appears to be a trend in increasing construction costs per square foot. An analysis of this is being conducted and will be brought before the Committee once completed.
Mr. Mehula noted that between November and December, the Committee and BOC will receive all the project definitions for Phase 2. It is anticipated that it will then be brought forward to the Board for action in January with site selection beginning by August.
Mr. Mehula then highlighted some items being addressed by staff including inspector shortages, hiring of safety managers, general design guidelines and green space, joint planning and joint use of school sites, and current program risks.
Mr. Basalone asked that the monthly status report also include in the bid summary pages the architectural/
engineering firm designing the project as well as the small business participation for these firms.
Mr. Mehula said he would provide this information in the next report.
Mr. Lansing requested that information on all small business participation be included with the monthly
report. Mr. Mehula said that he would look into it.
Mr. Mehula, Mr. Yoshida, and Mr. Womack responded to the Committee's questions and concerns
regarding the inflation of real estate and construction costs, and local and small business participation.
Mr. Tokofsky requested that core criteria for joint use partnerships be brought before the Board for consideration. Mr. Mehula said it would.
MONTHLY PROGRAM STATUS REPORT FOR EXISTING FACILITIES
Mr. Delker summarized the monthly program status report. He responded to the Committee's questions regarding training and placement of plant managers and the status of BB projects.
INITIAL REPORT ON FACILITIES CONTRACT PROFESSIONALS AND DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, EXISTING FACILITIES
Mr. Delker summarized the personnel staffing for existing Facilities. He responded to the Committee's questions regarding the number of contract professionals versus the number of District employees.
UPDATE ON FACILITIES CONTRACT PROFESSIONALS AND DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, NEW CONSTRUCTION
Mr. Mehula summarized the personnel staffing for New Construction. He responded to the Committee's
questions regarding the number of contract professionals versus the number of District employees and
staffing demands during the next few years.
RECEIPT OF WRITTEN REPORTS
The following reports were received without discussion:
There were no public comments.
2. Approval of the August 28, 2003, and September 11, 2003 3 minutes Jim McConnell
Augmented Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes
3. Phase 1 New Schools Activation Plan 20 minutes Dale Braun
Tim Buresh
Deborah Hirsh
Chuck Burbridge
4. Measure K Library and Information Services Strategic 10 minutes James Alther
Execution Plan
5. Preliminary Master Plan for 2151 North Soto Street Site 10 minutes Guy Mehula
(East Los Angeles Skills Center, District F, Information Scot Graham
Technology Division)
6. Monthly Program Status Report for New Construction 5 minutes Guy Mehula
7. Monthly Program Status Report for Existing Facilities 5 minutes Jim Delker
8. Initial Report on Facilities Contract Professionals and District 10 minutes Jim Delker
Employees, Existing Facilities
9. Update on Facilities Contract Professionals and District 5 minutes Guy Mehula
Employees, New Construction
10. March 2004 Bond Package 30 minutes Glenn Gritzner
Augmented Facilities Committee
Thursday, October 16, 2003
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11. Receipt of Written Reports