Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves temporary use of district funds to finish Lakeland Middle School parking-lot sidewalks
Summary
The Lakeland District board approved using district funds to complete sidewalks and parking-lot work at Lakeland Middle School while the district pursues reimbursement from the contractors surety; staff said repairs are estimated at about $277,000 with roughly $105,000 in retainage available.
The Lakeland District board on Thursday approved a recommendation to use district funds to complete parking-lot and sidewalk work at Lakeland Middle School while the district pursues reimbursement from the contractors surety.
A staff member told the board the district has an open claim with the contractors surety that began in March and that an on-site inspection and report found the work deficient. "My ask is to use school modernization funds for it because it is approved as part of the scope of that project," the staff member said, adding that the district will reimburse the modernization fund if it recovers money from the surety.
Staff presented an alternate bid that put the cost to fix the concrete at about $277,000; the district currently has roughly $105,000 held in retainage, which staff said the surety effectively offered to cover. Legal staff told the presenter the district cannot draw the retainage while the contract dispute is unresolved, so the board was asked to authorize a temporary funding source to keep the project on the contractors schedule.
Board members and staff discussed funding options including the school modernization fund (staffs preference) and the plant facility levy. Staff noted a recent construction meeting identified about $60,000 in savings from an HVAC item that will not be replaced, and the district also has capacity in the plant levy for flooring projects (mentioned as about $340,000) if needed.
Staff warned there is a risk to proceeding before a final surety decision: if the district completes the work and the surety ultimately declines full reimbursement, the district may not recoup all costs. Staff also said previous bond claims took many months to finalize and legal and architect fees reduce net recoveries.
In discussion the board asked for clearer presentation materials in future packets showing funding alternatives and the full financial picture. A motion "to approve as recommended" was moved and seconded; the board voted in favor with no recorded opposition. The board adjourned following the vote.
The district said it will share correspondence with the surety and legal back-and-forth with the board and continue pursuing recovery through the performance bond and any payment-bond claims related to subcontractor payments.
