HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/7/2003 - Special
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Roanoke County Administration Center
5204 Bernard Drive
Roanoke, Virginia 24018
July 7, 2003
The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the
Roanoke County School Board Administrative Offices, 5937 Cove Road, Roanoke,
Virginia, this being an adjourned meeting from June 24, 2003 for the purpose of
attending a School Construction Committee meeting.
IN RE: CALL TO ORDER
Chairman McNamara called the meeting to order at 11:31 a.m. The roll
call was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Chairman Joseph McNamara, Vice-Chairman Richard C.
Flora, Supervisors Michael W. Altizer, Joseph B. “Butch”
Church, H. Odell “Fuzzy” Minnix
MEMBERS ABSENT:
None
STAFF PRESENT:
John M. Chambliss, Assistant County Administrator;Diane
S. Childers, Clerk to the Board; Diane D. Hyatt, Chief
Financial Officer, Pete Haislip, Director of Parks, Recreation
& Tourism
OTHERS PRESENT:
School Board Chair Marion Roark;Vice-Chair Jerry L.
Canada; School Board members Drew Barrineau and
Michael W. Stovall; Dr. Linda Weber, Superintendent;
Brenda Chastain, Clerk to the School Board; Penny A.
Hodge, Director of Budget and Finance; George Assaid,
Construction Projects Coordinator; Darlene Adams,
Construction/Operations Specialist
OTHERS ABSENT:
School Board member William I. Irvin
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IN RE: REVIEW OF CONSTRUCTION BIDS FOR HERMAN L. HORN,
MOUNTAIN VIEW, AND OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Mr. Flora, in his capacity as Director of Operations for Roanoke County
Schools, stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review the bids for the three
elementary schools and discuss possible alternatives. He indicated that the bid recap
and budget information had been provided and that at present, the total with the
expanded scope represents a $1,370,653.37 budget shortfall. He advised that the goal
is to make adjustments to bring the costs within budget.
Mr. Flora outlined the following staff recommendations: (1) Continue to
negotiate for contract reductions – the HVAC system represents 40% of the total
construction costs. (2) Eliminate the 4-classroom addition at Oak Grove – cost of
$344,000. Mr. Haislip noted that if the 4-classroom addition is included, this will shorten
the sports field by 25 feet. (3) Eliminate the expanded scope for technology – cost of
$640,075. Mr. Barrineau emphasized the need to include a replacement budget for
equipment in future school budgets. In response to a question from Supervisor Minnix,
Ms. Weber indicated that the old equipment will be moved to other schools when
replacement equipment is purchased. (4) Eliminate expanded scope for furniture,
fixtures and equipment – cost of $380,657.
In response to questions from Supervisors Minnix and Altizer, Mr. Flora
indicated that recommendation #6 (delay Northside High School and stadium solution)
includes $342,000 for the architectural and engineering studies at Northside High
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School, and the remaining balance of approximately $1.5 million is for the South County
Stadium.
Supervisor McNamara stated that he would advise following the staff
recommendation, attempt to negotiate cost reductions with the contractors, and use
year-end funds to help meet the budget.
Mr. Barrineau expressed concerns over using bonds to pay for technology
purchases, which are short-term in nature. He stated that he would prefer to use year-
end monies or the funds that have been set aside for 2005 school bus purchases.
Mr. Canada stated that a decision should be made first regarding whether
to proceed with the 4-classroom addition at Oak Grove, and then move forward with the
rest of the alternatives.
In response to a question from Supervisor Church, Mr. Flora advised that
the anticipated amount of reductions after negotiations with contractors will be less than
$100,000.
Supervisor Minnix stated that in his mind, the four additional classrooms at
Oak Grove are mandatory. He questioned whether all Southwest County elementary
schools are at capacity. Dr. Weber replied that Cave Spring, Penn Forest, Back Creek,
Oak Grove, and Green Valley are all close to capacity.
Supervisor McNamara advised that he did not want to provide surplus
capacity at one school when there are trailers at other schools. In addition, he advised
that the handling of the technology purchase is consistent with the way technology
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purchases have been handled in the past. Mr. Barrineau re-stated his opinion that the
technology component should be funded in the budget.
There was general discussion regarding whether larger schools should be
built, or whether the County should build greater numbers of small schools. Dr. Weber
indicated that educationally, there is a decline once the elementary school size exceeds
550 students.
In response to an inquiry from Supervisor Altizer, the School Board
Members indicated that their priority at this time is to complete the Phase II renovations.
Mr. Stovall moved that the Construction Committee approve staff
recommendations #1 - #4 with the amendment that if year-end funds allow, items #3
and #4 will be added back in to the project. The motion was seconded by Ms. Roark
and was unanimously approved.
Mr. Canada moved that the School Board accept the Construction
Committee’s recommendation to approve staff recommendations #1 - #4 with the
amendment that if year-end funds allow, items #3 and #4 will be added back in to the
project. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stovall and was unanimously approved with
Mr. Irvin absent.
In response to an inquiry from Supervisor McNamara, Ms. Hyatt indicated
that the School Board will approve a resolution at today’s meeting requesting that the
Board of Supervisors appropriate $22 million for school capital projects, and the Board
of Supervisors will subsequently need to approve a resolution appropriating the $22
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million which will be reimbursed by future VPSA issues. Ms. Hyatt indicated that the
resolution will be presented to the Board of Supervisors at its meeting on July 8.
Mr. Canada moved to adopt a resolution of the School Board declaring its
intention to reimburse itself from the proceeds of one or more financings for capital
projects for public school purposes. Mr. Barrineau seconded the motion. The motion
carried by a unanimous roll call with Mr. Irvin absent.
Supervisor McNamara thanked everyone present for their participation
and willingness to work together.
IN RE: ADJOURNMENT
Chairman McNamara adjourned the meeting at 12:18 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved by:
________________________ ________________________
Diane S. Childers Joseph P. McNamara
Clerk to the Board Chairman
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