Renovations to the old federal courthouse received a low base bid of $30.9 million two weeks ago, but City Council legislation seeks to lower the available construction funding from $28 million to $26.2 million.
The original legislation called for $30 million total — $28 million in construction and $2 million in contingency — to renovate the facility for use by the State Attorney's Office as part of the Unified Duval County Courthouse project.
City Council member Greg Anderson told members of the Council Rules Committee on Monday the original 2007 budget included $20.3 million for the project, with a substantial amount in contingency that has been used on the courthouse.
The total budget has been $350 million.
The original project included building the courthouse, moving the State Attorney's Office and also finding space for the Office of Public Defender, Anderson said.
The remaining $26.2 million, if approved, would be appropriated to the federal courthouse renovations project.
Council and committee member Lori Boyer said she was not comfortable committing 100 percent of the remaining funds to the project with no contingencies because problems could arise.
Janice Billy of the Council Auditor's Office said a programmed contingency of $671,000 remains and any needed funds above that would have to be found elsewhere.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and unpaid bills were issues discussed at the recent Council Courthouse Oversight Committee. Boyer asked City Chief Financial Officer Ronnie Belton about the extent of the ADA expenses and whether they were less than the $671,000 in contingency funds. Belton didn't have an immediate response.
In addition, the $26.2 million is less than the four bids received for the renovation of the old federal courthouse.
The Morganti Group Inc., Barton Malow Co., Elkins Constructors Inc. and Sauer Inc. bid on the project.
Each provided three additional figures to cover variations of a pedestrian bridge to connect the facility with the Duval County Courthouse.
Morganti submitted the lowest base bid at $30.85 million with a $29.65 million potential low package.
The mayor's office has said if savings could not be found during negotiations with the winning bidder, the project could be rebid, which would require another Request for Proposals.
The Rules Committee deferred the legislation and the Finance Committee will review it today.
In other action from Monday's Rules meeting:
• The committee confirmed Peter Bower as a member of the JEA board of directors after a review that included questions about JEA bonuses. The committee discussed the utility's $1,250 bonus to all of its employees based on savings and efficiencies and Council members questioned Bower's stance on the bonuses. Bower said he liked targeted plans, but could "probably not" sign off on such bonuses because it was unclear whether every employee impacted results. Wayne Young, JEA director of metering, billing and collection, told the committee the bonuses were approved by upper management and then submitted to the board for approval.
• An ordinance was approved to authorize a redevelopment agreement between the City and L&J Diesel Services Inc. The agreement would appropriate a $200,000 countywide economic development loan from the City to support the company, which remanufactures diesel engine fuel injectors, in its expansion to a larger facility at 333 Lenox Ave., several miles from its current 5323 Lenox Ave. location. The company will retain its 14 full-time employees and create up to 20 new full-time employees by Dec. 31, 2015.
• Legislation for the criteria and qualifications for the first Downtown Investment Authority CEO was deferred. Authority members filed the legislation by deadline to have it reviewed and potentially approved by the end of the year, with some hoping to begin the search in January. Council must approve the hiring criteria for the position, although it does not confirm the person hired. The legislation will be reviewed today at the Finance and Recreation and Community Development committees.
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