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FAIRMONT-- The Community Center Advisory Board on Wednesday had a lengthy conversation about whether or not the project would require an owner's representative. At its meeting last month, the board went over proposals for a construction manager.
City Administrator Cathy Reynolds told the board she can see some values added in having an owner's representative, but also said she didn't think it was needed right now.
"I think it's an additional expense that maybe right now we don't need," said Reynolds.
An owner's representative is a person or company who works as a consultant and represents the owner of a building or facility project.
Board member Mike Edman asked Reynolds why she didn't think one was needed.
"I think we should see how it goes with the construction manager and see if we need an owner's rep on top of that, or if we're getting what we need there," Reynolds said.
Edman asked if staff has the capacity to manage the project at the beginning when a lot of coordination is needed and meetings will take place.
"The owner's rep fills a big void there that a construction manager won't be doing. That's a concern of mine," Edman said.
Edman said he's concerned because there's one construction manager and one owner's representative who know the project and neither of them are on the table right now.
The previous community center committee had retained the services of Tegra and had been working with them for the past few years.
"We're starting all over and re-doing things that have already been done. What's our strategy to capture the knowledge we already have," Edman said.
He said he feels like another body is needed to help get the project going.
"We have millions of dollars pledged from people in this community based off of work Tegra was instrumental in developing," Edman said.
Board member Brandon Edmundson said a lot of factors in the community that come into play in the community and Tegra knows it all.
Reynolds said the board can make a recommendation to council to hire an owner's representative, but that the city attorney will need to weigh in and provide guidance and information to staff and council.
"I think having that information from Mark (Rahrick) will allow me, personally, to have more confidence in the recommendation," Edman said.
He said he thinks they can move forward without an owner's representative, but asked if it's possible to hire Tegra directly without a Request for Proposal.
Reynolds said an owner's rep is an additional layer of experience and knowledge that will layer on top of what the construction manager brings to the table.
"If we hire a construction manager that didn't have any experience, an owner's rep is definitely something you want," she said.
She asked if the board only wants an owner's representative if it's Tegra.
Edmundson said he thinks they're in a difficult phase of the project and an owner's rep is needed.
"I'm not saying it's Tegra or I don't want one. I'm saying I want one and the one we've used has been fantastic and I see no reason to change courses now," Edmundson said.
Board member Mat Mahoney said he thinks it comes down to time and money.
"How can we take from what the previous committee did and use our money as wisely as we can," Mahoney said.
Edman made a motion that the board moves forward with a recommendation to council that it retains services of an owner's representative and either a sole source recommendation to go with Tegra or if an RFP is needed, to go the RFP route.
Reynold's said she will get the city attorney's opinion on what route is needed before the next board meeting.
Moving to other matters, the board also discussed recent interviews with potential construction managers and a recommendation to council to approve engaging with a company for a construction manager.