Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda -11-06-2008 - 4qORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 6, 2008 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Amendment to the County Campus Construction Manager at Risk Agreem t to Increase Funding for Enhanced Ener y Use HVAC System DEPARTMENT: Purchasing PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Pam Jones, 919-245-2652 PURPOSE: To consider approving a contract amendment to the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Agreement for the County campus to provide funding for energy use enhancements to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) in both the office building and library in an amount not-to-exceed $445,569. BACKGROUND: The Board of Commissioners approved the CMAR contracts for the office building and library at the new County campus on June 26, 2007. At the time of approval, the construction plan included sustainable design elements such as day-lighting, a reclaimed water system for use in flushing toilets, low water use toilets, use of energy efficient lighting and motion sensors in offices and conference rooms to minimize the amount of time lights remained on in unoccupied space. In previous presentations regarding the campus development, staff indicated additional sustainable design elements would be explored during the design process and brought forward for consideration should the advantages of doing so be supported by cost- benefit analysis. The HVAC system was a primary focus for additional sustainability features in the building. The consultants explored several options, including a ground source heat pump (geothermal) system similar to those constructed for the Justice Facility expansion project, but concluded the best application for the office building and library would be an air cooled chiller and gas fired boiler "4 pipe" system. While this 4 pipe system falls just short of the efficiency of a geothermal system, at the end of analysis, the site simply would not support the number of wells needed for the long-term longevity of a geothermal system. According to a life-cycle analysis opinion provided by the project's mechanical engineer, the four pipe system has a higher first cost, but delivers a respectable payback in approximately 8.9 years. Further, the proposed system has an estimated 20 year life, compared to 12 years for a conventional system. Given those circumstances and given the County's desire to move toward the highest sustainability possible within fiscal constraints, staff is recommending the proposed system to the Board. The project is on schedule for completion in late-Spring 2009 at which time the Library will be relocated from the Whitted Building to the new facility with the following departments slated for relocation to the office building: Information Technology (IT), Planning and Inspections, Environmental Health, Economic Development, Environment and Resource Conservation, and Engineering as well as capital projects, risk management and other functions that may remain following the re-organization of the Purchasing office into the Financial Services Department. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The Construction Manager at Risk Agreement will be amended to reflect the increase of the HVAC system in the amount of $445,569 and a deduction in the amount of $397,806 for design costs, bringing the total price to be paid to the developer to $23,477,291. The Board will recall design services were originally included in the developer's contract price. However, by statute, the County must contract directly with the designers in a CMAR arrangement. The Board approved the design fees on December 11, 2007. Earlier concerns regarding an increased cost from the developer on the initial contract amount did not come to fruition. The addition of the energy improved HVAC design is the sole addition to the CMAR agreement cost. The Agreement stipulates the County will close on the purchase of the Gateway Center at the conclusion of the one year and one day lease for the space, which would occur in February 2009. The remaining portion of the project will likely close after July 2009. This timing is calculated on the Agreement stipulation that closing occur within 13 months of the date of delivery of the final upfit plans to the County, which occurred on July 10, 2008. The Capital Investment Plan includes additional funds above the purchase price to fund items which are the County's responsibility, such as tele-data wiring, phone systems, furniture, moving costs, etc. Staff reviewed the agenda materials from past Board discussions and approvals for this project. The January 15, 2008 agenda abstract notes, "The Board is reminded that the construction cost of $17,939,079 as reflected in the Purchase Agreements for the office building and library include an upfit allowance of $33/square foot for the office building and $55/square foot for the Library. The County will be responsible for any costs for upfit and sustainable design elements that exceed these amounts. The upfit allowances have not changed from the June 2007 agreements approved by the Board." RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve a contract amendment to fund energy improving enhancements to the HVAC system in both the office building and library at the new County campus in the amount not-to-exceed $445,569, subject to County Attorney approval; and authorize the Chair to sign on behalf of the Board.