Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Repairs And Fema Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Terrebonne board authorizes notices to proceed for multiple hurricane‑damaged schools using FEMA funds
Summary
The board approved a series of notices to proceed and design contracts for demolition and repairs at numerous schools damaged by Hurricane Ida, authorizing use of FEMA reimbursement funds and directing bids and committee oversight.
The Terrebonne Parish School Board on July 5 approved a series of motions authorizing notices to proceed and design contracts for demolition and repairs at multiple schools damaged by Hurricane Ida, with work to be funded from FEMA reimbursement proceeds.
The board’s Buildings, Food Service and Transportation (BFT) committee presented a long slate of recommendations authorizing the district to issue notices to proceed “as per contractual agreement” to multiple architecture and design firms, including Orchestrate LLC, Duplantis Design Group APC, Verges Rome Architects, Virgis Rome Architects, Craig Abare AIA, Merlin Group LTD and others, for plans and specifications for demolition, modular classroom removal, roof and interior repairs at schools across the parish.
Each motion specified that funds would be derived from FEMA reimbursement funds, authorized advertising for bids or solicitation of quotes, and directed that any major project changes be reported to the BFT committee prior to advertising. The motions passed with routine roll calls; several board members asked clarifying questions about scope and future project planning.
Board members raised procedural and programmatic questions during the committee report. Board member Debbie Benoit urged that the board consider a consent agenda for repetitive “notice to proceed” items to speed meetings and allow members to pull any single project for separate discussion. “It’s tiring — we’re reading a lot of the same verbiage over and over and over again,” Benoit said, proposing grouping items unless a member requests one be pulled.
Board member Roger Dale DeHart and others asked for clarifications about specific projects. For the Fletcher Building, a member asked whether repairs would be limited to damaged items or would include broader reconfiguration; staff said repairs would be limited pending future decisions about building use. The board also discussed grouping architects and project managers to streamline oversight.
Background: the actions follow widespread storm damage from Hurricane Ida; the board repeatedly specified FEMA reimbursement as the funding source and required that major scope changes return to the BFT committee before bids are advertised.
No construction contracts were awarded July 5; the board authorized design and bid processes and the president to sign necessary documents subject to attorney review where noted.
