Transit- Meeting Agenda (12/18/1997)

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. _..,_. - _ oteatial reduciioa in Couaty Servicesi The cument projections from the ~Coiinty show ti~,,, approximately a$328,000 initial negative anaual impact on the present County budget, depending upon several variables, most importantly the target lease rate couaty agencies are expected to pay. This impact does not take into account any additional debt service for more parking. The County may ultimately determine that the necessary budget shortfall in the near term is too great and that the Couaty's future benefits may not justify the loss of services in the immediate future. This anaiysis is beyond the purview of the Task Force. Mazimum guaranteed price (MGP): The Task Force questioned the viability of req~'in~ a maximum guaranteed price. If a construction manager is employed, savings through a time and materials foimat could be subs~tantial. MGP bidding fom,es subco~±cactors to "pad" their bids to account for unforseen construction problems. This method can create higher construction costs, with no commensurate increase in value. In addition, we believe that fee agreements with the project consultant should be tied to the fin,ancial out~ome~of the project. Othervvise~, it woutd appear that the project consultant would bear no risk if the project nu~s over budget or over time. Political Feasibility of Courthouse Square The Task Force believes the Courthouse Square pmject could go forw~rd in the current political environment but not without considerable cost of public goodwill aad confidence in ~ ~"' governmental decision makers. Further loss of public confidence in government will not only affect Marion County and the Transit District but also the City of Sal~m, the School District, the Community College and Polk County. It is imperative ti~at County o~cials take aggressive action to restore public confidence and a sense of public ownership if they elect to proceed with the project While the Courthouse Square project has merits, it is not worth sacrificing the firtiue nceds of this community. Quite simply, the County and the Transit District cannot afford any more blunders with this project. Consequeafly, the Task Force believes the County and the T=ansit District must implement the following steps if they choose to proceed: 1. The County must commit resources to address the parking shorlfalls discussed in this report 2• Because of the cuirent attention and public pemeption relating to Courthouse Square, the leadership team should be cazefully r~viewed A change af leaderslup would likely contribute to improved public acceptance of the project's cuirent scope. 3. All aspects of the design, management, construction and mazketing of the project should be competitively bid at the appropriate times. '' 45