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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 Office Remodel AGENDA ITEM #12 Page 1 of 2 MEETING DATE: December 1, 2021 TO: Board of Directors FROM: Shanna D. Kuhlemier, CMC, District Clerk SUBJECT: Consideration of a Contract with Fringe Studios, Architectural APPROVED BY_______________________________ Brian C. Wright, General Manager RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the General Manager to execute a contract with Fringe Studio in the amount of $41,000 plus a 10% change order for an amount not to exceed $44,900, for design of the eastern office and Board room remodel. DISCUSSION: The District’s current building was built and completed in the mid to late 1980’s with staff moving into the facility in August of 1987. Until the last few years, upgrades to the original building were limited to basic maintenance. The last several years the Board has approved:  Upgrades to the Information Technology/Accounting area (located on the second floor of the building) including an updated on site data center and expanded area for additional staffing. This work was mostly completed with District facility staff.  In 2017, the District embarked on the engineering and construction of the lobby and customer service areas, including new floors and customer service counters, as well as carpet and paint throughout the lower administrative service spaces. This project also updated public counter space, ingress-egress, and bathrooms to meet the American with Disability Act (ADA), and safety standards.  2019 and early 2020 saw the completion of the upstairs office remodel. Including staff workspace, kitchenette, and bathrooms. Page 2 of 2  In January 2020, the elevator rehabilitation project was completed.  In March of 2020, the Board approved architectural design for the Modernization Project. This included a solar awning project, to ensure heat gain, new windows, updated façade, and a new entry for community aesthetics. This project is currently in progress. All of these projects are geared towards updating the District facilities to increase asset longevity, enhance staff engagement and efficiencies. In alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan goal of “Developing an inclusive culture drives organizational integration and success” staff is relocating some key workspaces from the upper floor to the lower floors, and vice versa. One such relocation is the General Manager’s office to the lower floor. This relocation enhances accessibility and engagement throughout all levels of the organization and community. The planned remodel facilitates an environment of open and transparent communication, as well as support across all operations. With the recent upgrades to Board room technology, staff has also identified the need to complete some minor remodel work to address the layout of staff and attendees of public Board meetings, as well as the poor lighting. Staff recommends an upgrade to the Board room to improve the general utility of the space and accommodate the emerging need for hybrid meeting accessibility (virtual and in-person). Fringe Studios has designed the lobby, customer service, and upstairs in a newer, more open concept. Keeping the same design throughout the upper and lower floors provides similar feel and approachability. Moreover, Fringe Studios completed the code analysis on the building at the completion of the upstairs remodel and a cost savings with that analysis is built into the proposed amount. 1.05.020 Objectives:  Responsibly serve the public  Manage the District in an effective, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner. Strategic Plan Goals:  Engage with our customers and communities in a welcoming and transparent way to identify opportunities.  Take the best of private sector thinking to modernize the utility and add value to our communities  Developing an inclusive culture drives organizational integration and success. FISCAL IMPACT: The funding of this project was budgeted in the FY2022 budget approved November 3, 2022. ATTACHMENTS: None.