Board debates continuing bond program manager role, GMP reallocation and document repository

The board of trustees spent significant time discussing management of the district’s bond construction program, including the role of the current program manager, how under-budget guaranteed maximum price (GMP) amounts should be handled, and where historical project documents will be stored. Board members questioned whether the district should spend bond interest money to create a permanent position performing the same duties as the current program manager (identified in the discussion as Mr. Ortiz representing Presidio). One trustee observed that the project-management function in the 2011 bond was handled successfully and that existing consultants are performing core duties; another trustee said hiring a permanent position now would cost roughly $100,000 a year in salary and benefits and that sum could total about a half‑million dollars over the bond lifecycle if financed with bond interest. Several trustees favored waiting until later in the bond timeline to decide whether a permanent position is needed. Staff explained that the construction-management team holds biweekly meetings with the chief financial officer (Dr. Rico referenced in the transcript) and maintains project communications, community meetings, and a public website. The program manager said all project design documents and digital files are being maintained in a central repository so the district can access them after consultants depart. On GMPs, the architect/design and construction team priced alternates and identified that some projects came in under budget. Staff advised those under-budget amounts would be rolled into an overall program contingency, available for the board to reallocate at its discretion; staff said there are not yet specific projects drawn to spend those dollars and that the board could later designate uses. Trustees asked for clarity that under-budget amounts could be returned to campus projects if the board so chooses. No formal procurement or personnel decision was recorded in the transcript excerpt. Trustees asked staff for additional detail and suggested bringing options back for a decision at a future meeting once the district is further along in construction planning and can better assess warranty and transition needs.