Approved January 29, 2025

MPS BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING

Oliphant Administration Building

Michael S. Pinto Conference Room

26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842

January 15, 2025 5:00pm

 

Present

Voting Member

Name

Title

X

Yes

Edward Brady

Chair, Community Member

N

Yes

William Nash

School Committee Clerk

X

Yes

William Niemeyer

Superintendent of Schools

N

Yes

Theresa Spengler

School Committee Member

P

Yes

Tami Holden

School Committee Member

N

Yes

Ed Collins

Middletown Shared Facilities Director

X

Yes

Thomas P. Welch, III

Town Council Vice President

X

Yes

Peter Connerton

Town Council Member

X

Yes

Donna Sweet

Middletown High School Principal

X

Yes

Michelle Fonseca

Asst Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

R

Yes

Shawn Brown

Town Administrator, Local Budget Official

N

Yes

Don Morin

Secretary, Community Member

X

Yes

Marc Thayer

Community Member

P

Alternate

Gregory Huet

Alternate, School Committee Chair

N

Alternate

Christopher Logan

Alternate Town Council Member

N

Alternate

Jerry Haas

Gaudet Middle School Principal

X

Alternate

Marc Tanguay

Town Finance Director, Alt. Local Budget Official

 

X = Present/Voting; R=Represented; P=Present/Non-voting; N=Not Present

 

 

1.         Call to Order

·         The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Chair Ed Brady. Eight (8) of thirteen (13) voting members were present or represented by an alternate. 

·         Also present: Justin Bernard and Colin McCarthy, OPM, Colliers Project Leaders.

·         Present via Zoom: Matt LaRue, HMFH Architects and Ed Cifune, DBVW Architects.

·         Ed Brady called Greg Huet to the podium, and he addressed the Committee stating that the School Committee will be filling their sub-committee roles at their next meeting on January 23rd. Tami Holden and Greg Huet were in attendance but were not included as voting members.

 

2.         Consider and Vote on Meeting Minutes from December 18, 2024

·         MOTION: Ed Brady moved to accept the meeting minutes from December 18, 2024 and Marc Thayer seconded.

·         DISCUSSION: None.

·         VOTE: The motion passed unanimously (8-0).

 

3.         Architect’s Update

3.1 Construction Document Development Update

·         Matt LaRue gave the update and opened the presentation with the next milestone of 60% Construction Document Completion and the focus on the final stretch. Finalizing space needs, owner input, design detailing, consultant coordination and final approvals for design were highlighted. CHPS point tracking was discussed and snapshot images of the design were shown. There will be an outside review and input by Middletown TRC, Commissioning and Gilbane.

3.2 Elementary School & MS/HS Cost Estimating Update

·         The Elementary School 60% CD Cost Estimating budget at DD is $10.1M with Bentley (estimate of record) at $10.1 and Ellana (check estimate) at $10.3M making the project on budget with the two estimates reconciled to within 2%.

·         The MS/HS 60% CD Cost Estimates are due 1/17/25 with one week to reconcile. 

3.3 RIDEM Permitting Filing Update

·         The RIDM Stormwater Construction Permit is under review with a feedback target of 1/24/25. RIDOT Physical Alteration Permit is under review with comments expected by late February. FAA is under review with comments expected in late January.

3.4 Planning Board Master Plan Application Next Steps

·         The Planning Board Preliminary Review schedule was presented with submission dates beginning with the submission of an Electronic DRAFT to the Town Planner on 1/21 to the delivery of the Final Package on 1/28 ending with the PB Special Meeting on 2/26. 

3.5 Four Week Look Ahead

·         Guidance Counselor User Meeting and IT User Meeting occurred on 1/13 with a Utility Incentive Meeting on 1/15. The MS/HS 60% CD Cost Estimates are due on 1/17 with the Cost Estimate Reconciliation due on 1/24. The Planning Board Preliminary Review Submission is on 1/28 and MS/HS 60%CD Submission is targeted for 2/7.

·         The update from HMFH/DBVW can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12xE1TjaPt-PGekqXWLV8BGZPzZRan2nJ/view?usp=sharing.

 

4.         Owners Rep Update

4.1 Update on RIDE Stage III

·         Colin McCarthy shared the presentation and Justin Bernard added additional follow-up information on each topic. Colin McCarthy updated the Committee that RIDE formally responded to the ES Complex resubmission on January 6th. The Town and Consulting Team will address the comments in a meeting with RIDE following submission of the MS/MS 60% submission in January. 

·         RIDE NECHIPS/Energy Model identified key issues in updated NECHPS Scorecard and Energy Model Requirements. Additional points will be targeted, and the consultant team will be requesting a waiver on the Energy Model since it will be a small renovation and no changes to the mechanical systems. Scope and budget adjustments were made by eliminating the replacement of the entire heating system. Changes are being made with the recommendation of Bently and the renovation team. There was a discussion about the energy models and the NECHPS Scorecard Status citing RIDE’s goal, 110 points, NECHPS requirements, minimum of 85 points, and the current strategy target of 94 points. Additional project benefits include the installation of a new fire protection system, the creation of new learning commons, and support for an interactive environment.

4.2 Elementary School Complex Heating System Status Report

·         Colin McCarthy presented images of the current HVAC system. There were 83 photos of mechanical issues and they were marked #1 as issues identified as “Immediate Fix” and #2 as issues identified as “Should Be Fixed.” There were 59 issues identified as “Immediate Fix.”

4.3  Two Week Look Ahead 1/16-1/29

·         The MS/HS Estimate Completion is 1/17/25 with the HS/HS Estimate Reconciliation Meeting on 1/23/2025. MS/HS Value Engineering will occur, and the MS/HS Reconciled 60% Estimate Presentation to the SBC for approval to submit to RIDE is on 1/29/2025. The target MS/HS RIDE Stage III 60% CD Submission is 1/31/2025.

·         The update from Colliers can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tTrAy5T_ZkOCHZ2Cyl5v0SVsuVNL3sbB/view?usp=sharing. 

5.         School Building Committee Update

5.1 Project Labor Agreement Update

·         Marc Tanguay informed the Building Committee that there are three proposals that have been submitted to the Town and School Committee Attorneys. The process will move fast, and a selection is expected to be made within a week and a half.

5.2 Plans/Timing for Naming of New Middle/High School

·         Ed Brady turned this section over to Matt LaRue who informed the Committee that it was important to name the schools early for signage purposes. It helps with the sign design and location, and determining the name early is beneficial. Greg Huet added that this topic was an agenda item at the next School Committee meeting on 1/23.

5.3 Appointment of Additional Community Member and Plans for Officer Elections

·         Ed Brady stated that the appointment of an additional community member and the election of officers will occur on 1/29.

5.4 Review of 2025 Building Committee Meeting Schedule

·         Ed Brady noted that Don Morin had created the schedule and that it looked good.

5.5  Two Week Look Ahead

·         Chairman Brady mentioned the Cost Reconciliation Process and the members may shift around.

Adjournment:

·         MOTION: Tom Welch moved that the Building Committee adjourn at 5:35 pm and Peter Connerton seconded. The motion passed unanimously (8-0).

 

Future Meeting Schedule – The next meeting will be on January 29, 2025 at 5:00p.m. at the Oliphant Administration Building.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Tami Holden

 

 

 

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