BC 2014 01 30 Recessed Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 30, 2014 (Recessed Meeting) Page 1904 Chairman Poole expressed concerns regarding the amount of funding without having more detailed information. She expressed support for funding the Northwest Elementary School and funding the architect and engineers to do the design for Mount Pleasant Middle School. She also expressed support for funding the architect and engineers to get started on the school Kannapolis has requested. She advised these measures would provide the Board with better numbers to make informed decisions with in regards to the new school facilities. Commissioner Measmer expressed support for funding Mount Pleasant Middle School, stating it should be a priority. Commissioner Morris expressed agreement with Chairman Poole's comments. Following further discussion, he also expressed his intent to vote against the motion. Discussion continued. Vice Chairman Burrage expressed support for funding school facilities with quality materials. Discussion continued. During discussion, Pam Dubois, Deputy County Manager, advised the bids for A.T. Allen Elementary and Patriots STEM Elementary were part of COPS 2009 financing and were the lowest historical bids ever received, on account of the economy at that time. She stated due to the bids being so low, the contingency was extremely high in case the bids were not realistic. Lynn Shue, Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) Board of Education Member and Len Witke, CCS Facilities Management Executive Director, joined the discussion. Chairman Poole expressed her intent to vote against the motion as it stands, citing depletion of funds. Discussion continued. Chairman Poole reminded there is a motion on the table. In response to a question from the Board, Mike Downs, County Manager, stated, in his opinion, Mount Pleasant Middle School needs to be replaced. He recommended, due to pending litigation, no more than $27.5 million be moved to the capital reserve fund. He noted Commissioner Oesterreich's motion moves $31.5 million to the Capital Reserve fund. Following further discussion, Vice Chairman Burrage withdrew his second to the motion and Commissioner Oesterreich withdrew the MOTION. Commissioner Oesterreich then MOVED to provide $16 million to the Cabarrus County Board of Education for the new Northwest Elementary School and $13.5 million to the Cabarrus County Board of Education for the replacement of Mount Pleasant Middle School with the understanding that $2 million more will be provided once the bids have been received. A discussion ensued regarding the amount of additional funds needed for the Mount Pleasant Middle School, an unknown amount until bids are received. Mr. Downs explained a 15 percent minimum is necessary for cash flow purposes. Ms. Dubois provided a history of the $5 million extraordinary circumstances fund. Following further discussion, Commissioner Measmer seconded the MOTION. Chairman Poole clarified the MOTION on the table is to move $29, 486,000.00 into the Capital Reserve Fund, $16 million of that amount would be available for Cabarrus County Schools to proceed with the new northwest elementary school. Of the remaining amount, $13,486,000.00, Cabarrus County Schools will be able to draw down for architects and engineering, fees and due diligence needed for the Mount Pleasant Middle School site, to get to the point where they can obtain hard numbers. At which point, they would return to the Board with the understanding that the money in the Capital Reserve account would first go toward Mount Pleasant Middle School, but an evaluation will be made once the Board gets hard numbers to verify the actual remaining cost of the project. Commissioner Oesterreich confirmed this is his motion. Commissioner Measmer confirmed his second to the motion. Vice Chairman Burrage expressed concern over the amount of funds to be transferred.