Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Geauga board approves Cold Harbor design‑build agreement for maintenance facility and water treatment plant
Summary
The West Geauga Local Board of Education approved a design–build agreement with Cold Harbor to design and construct a new maintenance facility and water treatment plant (guaranteed maximum price and allowances discussed). Board members asked for clearer insurance and change‑order documentation and confirmed oversight steps.
The West Geauga Local Board of Education voted to authorize a design–build agreement with Cold Harbor to design and construct a new maintenance facility and a water treatment plant, approving the resolution after discussion about contract terms, insurance and project oversight.
Board members pressed for clarity on the contract’s price structure and risk protections during discussion before the vote. A district representative said the contract includes a guaranteed maximum price and specified allowances for site conditions; the board was told unused allowance funds would be available to the district or reallocated within the project. Trustees also discussed builder’s‑risk coverage and an additional owner policy the district will secure while construction is underway.
Why it matters: the project consolidates maintenance operations and adds an on‑site water treatment capability; board members and staff said the design‑build approach will allow the district to move from planning to detailed design with a superintendent on site and regular updates to the board.
What the board discussed: trustees asked whether change orders would return to the board for approval, how contractor payments to subcontractors would be documented, and whether project scope items (for example, exterior restrooms or generator provisions) could be folded into the design. Officials said change orders and major contract adjustments will be presented to the board and that Cold Harbor will provide an on‑site superintendent and documentation showing payments to subcontractors.
The vote: the resolution authorizing the Cold Harbor agreement passed on a roll call with all voting trustees recorded as 'yes'. The board directed staff to provide a consolidated final contract package (with insurance certificates and clearer checkboxes for coverage) and to return any substantial change orders for board consideration.
Next steps: staff will finalize the design schedule and insurance documentation and return to the board with final contract exhibits and a timeline for construction milestones and review opportunities.
