Franklin staff seek $100,000 contract amendment for Studio 8 design work, staff says $32,580 will yield about $200,000 in construction savings

Lede City staff presented Amendment 8 to contract 2020‑0041 with OHM Studio 8 Design seeking $32,580 for additional design development and a $67,420 contingency allowance, for a total not‑to‑exceed amendment of $100,000.

Nut graf Staff said a focused redesign related to utility coordination and stormwater systems produced estimated construction cost savings of about $200,000 for a first task that cost $32,580, and that the additional $67,420 is an allowance to pursue similar value‑engineering opportunities as they arise.

Details and board questions Project staff explained they had identified specific opportunities while re‑reviewing construction drawings and that the initial $32,580 scope yielded an estimated $200,000 reduction in construction costs. The additional $67,420, staff said, would be available if further design work would deliver additional savings; they described it as an allowance rather than a committed expenditure.

Alderman Owen Barnhill asked what the city had already paid Studio 8; staff did not have that number in the meeting but agreed to provide the total to the board on request. Alderman Baggett and others clarified that the first $32,580 was expected to generate the ~$200,000 saving and that the remainder of the $100,000 would be used “judiciously” if new opportunities appear.

Board direction Staff said any use of the allowance would be vetted through the owner’s representative and city administrator and routed through the core team for approval. The board requested staff follow up with the cumulative contract spend to date on Studio 8.

Ending No formal vote is recorded in the transcript. Staff said they would provide the requested contract‑to‑date number to aldermen.