New Bessie Carmichael Meeting April 03 2003, 5:30 pm Bessie Carmichael
Library
Attending: District officers:
Philip M. Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Real estate, Toks
Ajike, Project Manager for the NBC, and Richard D. Pio Roda, District Trial
Attorney and Facilities Advisor. 12 parents and community members.
The
meeting started with introductions by the parents and community
representatives.
Toks
Ajike. Project Manager update: The soils are still being excavated and
removed. State DTSD (Department of Toxins & Substance Debasement) are
involved. A slight delay was caused when 18th century bottles were
unearthed and archeologists have been involved in another location. Japanese artifacts including ceramics, extremely
rare in South of Market, have also been found. This has the archeological
community very excited. This is requiring additional excavations and they
are in hopes that this does not delay the start date of construction but there
is a possibility of delay if additional items are found. Just today,
April 03, a metal object has been discovered that is unknown. Artifacts
found will be displayed in the new school with historical stories and
descriptions. Toks Ajike also mentioned that the area has a high water
table, which compounds the problem of toxic soils. The project is on
schedule, a very tight schedule and any delay could become a problem.
There are 15 days left for the contractors bidding out the steel and concrete.
Phil Smith described the Remediation Plan. The plan for: traffic,
trucks and materials delivery, access to the old school, drop and pick up
points etc. This has not yet been fully developed. Plans regarding
changes to the area and construction will affect the children. State
requirements for remediation plans will be followed. Control of dust and
clean up will be ongoing and times will be announced for loud sounds.
Question: Has there been a plan worked out for traffic?
Phil
Smith: no, it is in the works. Our first concerns are for safety and to
work with the school when in session and with the contractor.
Question: Will this be worked out over the course of the summer?
Phil:
This matter will have continued attention from Project Manager Toks Ajike.
Question: Has the money for building the new school truly then, been
identified?
Phil
Smith: I cannot tell you that the money for the Bartlet St. Resolution
has been allocated for Bessie. Most Board members mentioned the use of
these funds would be used for the building of Bessie Carmichael and it was the
intention of board members to use leveraged real estate for a portion of the
funds for the new Bessie. However, the resolution does not specify in
writing that the funds will be used for the new Bessie Carmichael.
Question: The money from the lease to City College, how do we make sure
that money is used for Bessie?
Phil
Smith: You do not need to approach this. When money comes to the
Board after the transaction, they need to vote to use the money for Bessie.
Question: From the way we have been treated before, we are concerned about
the money being spent somewhere else.
Phil
Smith: The Board will choose by voting what will happen to this money.
Question: Last year, 7th and Lawton was identified, what happened
to this?
Phil
Smith: This was only an information item at the School Board. 7th
and Lawton was never sold or leveraged; there was no contract; it was not a
property that was proposed for leveraged real estate or sale.
Question: Could you explain the Prop. A and B (State Hardship)
bond, and are these moneys in place?
Phil
Smith: Yes, this money, between 4 and 6 million, is in place. We
are still finalizing the cost of the new school. We are now using these
funds. When this money is used, then we will begin to use the leveraged
real-estate money.
Question: Please clarify the mandate to the resolution (City College).
Phil
Smith: The 3rd phase money will be used as needed for the project.
The Board will allocate funds as needed. Transactions will occur to debit
the account to build the school when needed.
Will these decisions to allocate funds be closed session or public? Phil
Smith: Public.
Comment: There is no assurance that the school will be built. We
are concerned these funds will be spent somewhere else.
Phil
Smith: There is no MOU. There is no way to assure you. But this
school will be built. We are committed to this. I called this
meeting tonight. I called Patrice so you could see me. I say it.
This school will be built!
Question about the construction:
Phil
Smith and Toks Ajike: They will be driving piers, expect loud pile
driving, cranes will be lifting steel.
There will be no tours until the area is secure.
Question about the cost of cement and building costs:
Phil
Smith: We do not know as bids will be in April 20. We have spent
2.6 million. This has been in soft costs like planning and Architects and
site preparation. Total construction costs include concrete and steel,
framing, electrical and plumping etc.
Question: Are the inspectors in place?
Phil
Smith: Yes.
Question: Have the moneys spent come from the Prop A &B bonds?
Phil
Smith: Yes, the 2.6 has been spent from the 4 - 6 that was in place.
Question: What will be the total estimated cost for this building?
Phil
Smith: 12 –13 million.
Comment: We were told in the past the cost would be closer to 16
million.
Phil
Smith: The money is in place to build this building.
A question concerning cutbacks, changes in design.
Phil
Smith: My intentions are to make updates and not decisions in
construction. A change has been made due to technology advances in the
last three years. Phone and Internet access will be wireless. There
will be no need to hard wire. The building
will be built with changes. The building will be built as designed but
modified.
Question about the Harrison St. Property.
Phil
Smith: We were approached by the Redevelopment Agency. We are not
interested in the proposal or working with this agency on this property.
The District has a responsibility to look after its assets. We have done
a good job communicating this to the public. There was no analysis study
or transaction done with Redevelopment on this site. That does not mean
there may not in the future. I stand on my record. I will be
straightforward with you. I am open to request and comment.
Question: Will we be able to see a hard copy of the visual costs?
Phil
Smith: Probably not. This will become public document at project
completion.
Comment: Due to the move that didn't happen, the miscommunications, and
the distrust this has caused, we should be able to see the plans.
Phil
Smith: Reaches and produces the completed approved plans for the building
of the new Bessie Carmichael. (this is the first time we have seen the
approved plans). I cannot speak for the
past but there is a promise to build this new school. There are a lot of
us committed to make this happen. The District is committed to build this
school. There was a three-way property swap that occurred: 1.
The Excelsior Youth Center. 2. This site, Bessie Carmichael,
transferred to Park and Recreation to build a park and the new school site
given to SFUSD. 3. 7th and
Lawton property was given to the District by the Water Department in the
Excelsior Youth Center Exchange. They, (the District) brought Tony Irons
and myself on board to get this new school built. This is Arlene
Ackerman's highest priority. My job was to identify properties to
leverage. Questions are still asked: what happened? where did the money
go? Why was nothing done? Well, there were misappropriations and the
funds that were allocated for this project were lost. I then went out to
find a place for the children of Bessie while the new school was built. I
then went out and identified properties to leverage. I worked with the
Redevelopment Agency, the City, and transacted the long-term lease with City
College for 7.5 million. Then the move of the children is off and we work
to develop a plan to build the new school while children attend the old school.
It is wise to review with you and having open comments is not a problem (Phil
passed out his business cards).
Meeting adjourned 7pm. Next meeting
Thursday April 24, 5:30pm.
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