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Council delays animal-shelter contract amid cost concerns and asks for detailed breakdown
Summary
Council members questioned architectural fees and the estimated $7.6 million project cost for a proposed Ascension Parish animal shelter, asked for apples‑to‑apples cost comparisons and third‑party review, and voted to defer the contract extension to Dec. 11.
Council debate over an amendment to the architecture contract for a planned Ascension Parish animal shelter dominated discussion Nov. 20, with council members pressing for clearer cost estimates and a more detailed scope of work.
The item (moved from the consent agenda) sought approval of Amendment No.1 to the master contract with Megawatt Architecture LLC to extend the contract term to Dec. 31, 2026 (retroactive to Dec. 21, 2025). Council members raised concerns about assumptions underlying architect fees and the project budget. Councilman Barnardoe said the assumed budget appeared high and urged further review, saying, “I don't think this thing should be $7,600,000.”
Architect David Mujeot (Mujeot Architecture) responded that the estimate reflected a recently bid, publicly advertised Livingston Parish animal shelter of roughly 15,000 square feet that had a low bid of about $3.3 million and that the differences in kennel-specific plumbing, mechanical and ventilation systems can significantly affect cost per square foot. He said the Megawatt scope includes civil, structural, mechanical, electrical engineering and specialist kennel design consultants.
Council members asked for an apples‑to‑apples comparison with other animal shelters built in the last three years and for a third‑party cost breakdown once plans are complete. Concerns included whether the architectural fee percentage was being applied to an inflated assumed construction budget and whether invoices would remain payable while a contract extension was under consideration.
The council agreed to defer the item to the Dec. 11 meeting to allow staff and the architect to supply comparable shelter bids, a clearer MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) cost allocation, and a recommendation on whether a third‑party cost review is warranted.
Next steps: staff and the architect will prepare comparative costs and a detailed fee/cost breakdown for the Dec. 11 council meeting; payments for work already completed will be addressed in that report.
