Fairview Park council approves guaranteed maximum price for Gemini Center rehabilitation

Fairview Park City Council voted 5-0 on March 17 to adopt Ordinance 25-21, authorizing the mayor to amend the contract with Wealthy Building Company to include a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the Gemini Center rehabilitation project. Council suspended reading rules to allow emergency passage and approved the ordinance after a detailed presentation from the city's owner’s representative and staff.

The GMP adopted at the meeting is $14,192,000, which the city’s owner's representative, Roger Briachi, said is below an earlier program estimate of about $14.7 million. Briachi said, “The guaranteed maximum price is exactly what it states,” and added that the price will hold “unless there is any changes to the documents that have been issued, that have been reviewed by the city and approved.” He told council the primary technical risk that could add cost would be encountering unsuitable soils when excavating under a portion of the pool.

Mayor Bill Schneider, who requested the ordinance, called the vote a milestone. “It’s a weight off my back. I’m gonna get this project started,” he said after the passage. Director of Finance Kate told council the city has an approximate $18 million funding pool for the project made up of bond proceeds, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and the recreation construction fund; earlier presentations referenced a $12.9 million bond component plus other local funds.

Council members and staff addressed schedule, contract terms and risk allocation. Councilwoman King moved to suspend Rule 49 (the charter provision requiring three readings) and to dispense with Rule 53 (referral to committee) so the ordinance could be considered for emergency passage. Both motions were seconded and passed 5-0 on roll calls. Briachi told council the contract duration is 365 days and that the GMP includes listed allowances and clarifications; some unit prices are treated as allowances or for future quantification. He said warranties for equipment and roofing will begin at substantial completion and that the city will hire third‑party testing for certain work as a soft cost outside the GMP.

During public comment, a resident criticized the emergency passage and warned of potential unseen problems under the pool. Bridal Lynette said, “Are you kidding me? That’s what we’re replacing the pool in the first place, isn’t it?” Council members said the city had worked through clarifications with the contractor and designers before presenting the GMP and that the timetable of 365 days and liquidated damages for schedule overruns are part of the amendment.

Council discussion and staff remarks emphasized that the GMP holds except for city-directed scope changes or unforeseen subsurface conditions. Staff said they will release materials and secure supplier commitments immediately to lock prices and reduce exposure to market movements. The council vote clears the way for the mayor to sign the GMP amendment and for construction activity to begin.

Actions taken at the meeting related to the Gemini Center item are recorded below.