Feb. 12, 2025 - Building Committee Meeting

Approved February 26, 2025

MPS BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING

Oliphant Administration Building

Michael S. Pinto Conference Room

26 Oliphant Lane, Middletown, RI 02842

February 12, 2025 5:00pm

Members in Attendance:

| Present | Voting Member | Name | Title |
| X | Yes | Edward Brady | Chair, Community Member |
| X | Yes | William Nash | Vice Chair, School Committee Clerk |
| X | Yes | William Niemeyer | Superintendent of Schools |
| X | Yes | Tami Holden | School Committee Member |
| X | Yes | Ed Collins | Middletown Shared Facilities Director |
| X | Yes | Thomas P. Welch, III | Town Council Vice President |
| X | Yes | Peter Connerton | Town Council Member |
| R | Yes | Donna Sweet | Middletown High School Principal |
| X | Yes | Michelle Fonseca | Asst Superintendent for Teaching and Learning |
| P | Yes | Shawn Brown | Town Administrator, Local Budget Official |
| X | Yes | Don Morin | Secretary, Community Member |
| X | Yes | Marc Thayer | Community Member |
| N | Yes | vacant | Community Member |
| N | Alternate | Gregory Huet | Alternate Member of School Committee |
| N | Alternate | Christopher Logan | Alternate Town Council Member |
| X | 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

*Ed Brady participated via Zoom; Shawn Brown arrived at 5:20pm.

·         The meeting was called to order at 5:00 pm by Vice Chair Bill Nash.  Twelve (12) 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, Ed Cifune, DBVW Architects, Justin Wetherby, Gilbane Construction, and Ed Brady, Chair, Building Committee.

·         ** MOTION:** Tom Welch moved to accept the meeting minutes from January 29, 2025 and Peter Connerton seconded.

·         ** DISCUSSION:** None.

·         ** VOTE:** The motion passed unanimously (12-0).

3.1 Construction Document (CD) Development

·         Matt LaRue informed the Committee that 100% Construction Document development is still on track for mid-March, 2025 to hand over to Gilbane to go out to bid.

3.2 Security System Update

·         Matt explained that the Town and School leadership team has decided not to pursue a proprietary security system for the project.  It is better to keep the specifications open to allow for more flexibility in the future.

3.3 MS/HS 60% CD Cost Estimate

·         Gilbane’s cost estimate came in at $139.9M and is within 2% of the cost estimate from Ellana.  This cost estimate includes escalation, design contingency and construction contingency.

·         No value management is needed at this point.

3.4 Permitting – RIDEM, RIDOT

·         Matt stated that RIDEM comments are due later this week and the consultants will meet with RIDEM next week.

·         RIDOT comments are expected in late February.  The consultants are not anticipating anything will change.

·         Energy Code: The Middletown Building Official requested that the consultant team use the 2018 IECC instead of the RI approved 2024 IECC.

3.5 Planning Board Master Plan Application

·         The consultant team met with the Technical Review Committee (TRC) earlier today.  The TRC was satisfied with the submission and the responses to their questions.  Two items are still missing from the submission.  The first item is a letter from Newport Water stating that enough water can be provided for the project.  This letter should be received prior to the Planning Board meeting on the 26th.  The other item is the DEM comments on the stormwater review, which is also anticipated in time for the Planning Board meeting on the 26th.

·         The TRC is going to give a positive recommendation to the Planning Board for the submission with two conditions: final review of the stormwater plan by the Town Engineer and final review of the sewer connections.

·         Marc Thayer brought up a few questions that were raised at the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee, including whether another electrical easement is needed and that the cell tower documentation is lacking.

·         Town Administrator Brown stated that the Town is negotiating with Sprint to remove the cell tower adjacent to the Gaudet School (on the flagpole), while the AT&T cell tower adjacent to the track will remain.

3.6 Two Week Look Ahead

·         The MHS 60% CD submission to RIDE is planned for February 14th.

·         Planning Board meeting is scheduled for February 26th.

·         DEM meeting is targeted for next week after comments are received.

·         The final renderings will be brought to a future Building Committee meeting.

·         The update from HMFH/DBVW can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NMYSoS6Z1jNf3Kxx8sA-xZbiNC0Ghjuk/view?usp=sharing.

4.1   RIDE Submissions Update

·         Justin Bernard reminded the Committee that the consultant team will address the Elementary School complex Design Development comments in a meeting with RIDE following submission of the MS/HS 60% CD submission.

·         MS/HS 60% CD submission to RIDE is scheduled for February 14, 2025.  The draft minutes from this meeting will be needed for the submission.  A meeting with RIDE will be requested right after the CD submission is made.

4.2   Existing Gaudet Sewer CCTV

·         Justin explained that Insituform Technologies performed a CCTV video of the existing sewer line at the Gaudet School.  The formal report and video have been received by Colliers and will be forwarded to the TRC and Building Committee tomorrow.

·         The eight inch sewer line and manholes are clear of debris with no visible damage.  The sewer pipe transitions from concrete to PVC at the abandoned manhole adjacent to Aquidneck Avenue, aligning with the existing conditions survey.

4.3   Fundraising Opportunities

·         Colliers provided a list of fundraising opportunities, including space naming and donor placement areas.  These opportunities will fall under the purview of the School Committee.  Town Administrator suggested that the Superintendent and School Committee reach out to the Van Buren Charitable Foundation as well.

4.4   Proposed Budget Update

·         Justin shared the latest proposed budget that is based on the reconciled cost estimate from Gilbane.  There is no change to the $190 million budget target, with a total anticipated cost of ~$175.7 for the middle/high school and $14.3 million for the elementary school complex.

·         A Memorandum of Agreement will be requested by the consultant team to RIDE to allow for movement of funds between the two schools.  There is a possibility of ~$5.2 million might not be reimbursable.

4.5   Two Week Look Ahead

·         The MS/HS reconciled 60% CD estimate will be submitted to RIDE on February 14th.

·         The Planning Board meeting is scheduled for February 26th.

·         The update from Colliers can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XiTHS8aLe3o6g_kw44fnGtzWGKnAvghc/view?usp=sharing.

5.1 Consider and Vote on Approval for the consulting team to submit the MS/HS Stage III 60% CD package to the RIDE Portal

·         ** MOTION:** Don Morin moved that the School Building Committee approve for the consulting team to submit the MS/HS Stage III 60% CD package to the RIDE Portal and Peter Connerton seconded.

·         ** DISCUSSION:** None.

·         ** VOTE:** The motion passed unanimously (12-0).

5.2 Project Labor Agreement Update

·         Marc Tanguay informed the Committee that Town Solicitor, the School’s Attorney and the consulting attorney will be meeting with the three qualified proposers and reviewing their fees.  They should make their recommendation in the next two to three weeks.

5.3 Future Name of Existing High School for Elementary Education

·         Superintendent Niemeyer stated that the School Committee will review this at their upcoming meeting.  The School District’s leadership team is considering a recommendation of Valley Road to align with Forest Avenue.  Any changes to Forest Avenue School name will also be considered.

5.4 List of Areas Named After Others at Gaudet Campus and Policy for Naming Areas of New Middle/High School

·         Superintendent Niemeyer thanked Jerry Haas for gathering the currently names spaces at Gaudet: Barry W. Clark Gymnasium, Joseph R. Krupowicz Planetarium and a tree in the lower courtyard in memory of Evan Nesby.  There was some discussion about possibly replanting a tree in memory of Evan Nesby, which might be easier than trying to move it.

·         The presentation can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8AG0KJdNsN5WdbNr4Dmjczx8eHorVqW/view?usp=sharing.

5.5 Two Week Look Ahead

·         The next School Building Committee is scheduled for February 26th, the same day as the Planning Board review.  Vice Chair Nash suggested that the Building Committee move its start time from 5:00pm to 4:30pm to allow for time for Committee members to get to the Planning Board meeting at 6:00pm.

·         ** MOTION:** Peter Connerton moved that the School Building Committee move the start time for its next meeting on February 26

·         ** DISCUSSION:** None.

·         ** VOTE:** The motion passed unanimously (12-0).

Adjournment:

·         ** MOTION**: Tom Welch moved that the Building Committee adjourn at 5:51 pm and Peter Connerton seconded. The motion passed unanimously (12-0).

Future Meeting Schedule – The next meeting will be on February 26, 2025 at 4:30p.m. at the Oliphant Administration Building.

Respectfully Submitted,

Don Morin