06-08-2017 VC WS-MMINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
JUNE 89 2017
Present: Darryl C. Aubrey, Sc.D., Mayor
Mark Mullinix President Pro Tem
Susan Bickel, Councilmember
Andrew D. Lukasik, Village Manager
Len Rubin, Village Attorney
Melissa Teal, Village Clerk
Absent: Robert A. Gebbia, Vice Mayor
David B. Norris, Councilmember
ROLL CALL
Mayor Aubrey called the meeting to order at 8:11 p.m. All members of Council were present,
except Vice Mayor Gebbia and Councilmember Norris, who were out of town. All members of
staff were present.
NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTRY CLUB CLUBHOUSE AND POOL FACILITY
Village Manager Lukasik explained Chuck Huff, Village Special Projects Director, and Joe Gaudet,
serving as Village Construction Manager would be sharing an update on general design and budget for
the Country Club construction. Mr. Lukasik noted the goal of the meeting was to get a sense from
Council as to how to move forward with value engineering on the project, as the construction was
currently $1.1 million over the original budget.
Mr. Huff shared an overview of the plans for the Country Club floor by floor, pointing to the uses
planned for each area. Mr. Huff shared the layout for the pool area.
Councilmember Bickel stated she thought the plan was missing a space to sell swimsuits, goggles,
suntan lotion, and other pool related items.
Mr. Huff agreed and made note of the request. Mr. Huff continued reviewing the plans, then introduced
Joe Gaudet of Gaudet Associates, Inc.
Mr. Gaudet discussed the status of the project. Mr. Gaudet stated the Clubhouse design was 75
percent completed, and the aquatics and interior design are just behind that. Mr. Gaudet reviewed
the construction schedule and noted there would be a delay because the General Contractor
contract needed to go before Council in July. Mr. Gaudet noted all design documents were due at
the end of June.
Mr. Gaudet reviewed the Country Club project budget. Mr. Gaudet discussed how the current cost
projection was compiled and recommendations regarding overages. Continuing, Mr. Gaudet outlined
value engineering savings through the scope of work which had been identified through a series of
meetings. Mr. Gaudet stated the changes were intended to reduce the cost without impacting
Minutes of Village Council Workshop Session held June 8, 2017 Page 2 of 3
programming and gave examples such as changing the type of tile or removing a door. Mr. Gaudet
noted that direct material purchase could also result in savings. Mr. Gaudet reiterated the project was
currently $1.1 million or seven (7) percent over the original budget.
Mr. Huff shared the value engineering document with Council. Mr. Huff noted it was a working
document which underwent constant changes.
Mr. Gaudet reviewed the document line by line and asked for feedback from Councilmembers.
President Pro Tem Mullinix asked about the costs of creating a shell for a fine dining restaurant
rather than building it out. Mr. Gaudet discussed the costs of interior air-conditioned space and
outdoor terrace space and responded that it depended what portion of the finishing was completed.
Discussion ensued.
Mayor Aubrey asked Mr. Gaudet to comment on options surrounding hard bid versus construction
management at risk and the rate of change orders. Mr. Gaudet responded briefly.
Mayor Aubrey asked if it was too late to reconsider construction manager at risk as an option. Mr.
Huff stated that ideally that decision would have been made a year ago, but because they had not
done the work yet, there were still opportunities if that was the direction of Council. Discussion
ensued regarding the construction manager at risk model and contract scope.
Sharon Swan, Village Manager of Purchasing, stated that an option which had been discussed was
to identify certain items as optional, to allow for reductions as necessary to stay within budget.
Mr. Gaudet pointed out this discussion was a normal phase of any construction project.
Discussion ensued regarding the level of interest from contractors in the marketplace and the
timeline once the design documents were completed.
Ms. Swan noted that staff continued to work to meet the budget but had wanted to provide an
update so that Council was in the loop.
Mayor Aubrey asserted that they were looking to build for the next 50 years.
Timothy Hullihan, 840 Country Club Drive, resident of North Palm Beach and architect in Palm
Beach County. He asserted that value engineering was not something anyone liked, because it
means cheaper materials. Mr. Hullihan stated the project was over budget because it was not done
correctly in the first place, and that the architect should not be allowed to continue toward
document completion over budget. Mr. Hullihan asked if the current building would be demolished
prior to the start of construction.
Mayor Aubrey stated that Council did not want to preempt their decision making by tearing the
building down before absolutely necessary.
Minutes of Village Council Workshop Session held June 8, 2017 Page 3 of 3
Mr. Hullihan noted that he had done an analysis on the project to highlight that the building was
overdesigned for the community. Mr. Hullihan asked that Council and staff take a look at his
analysis, as the building could get a lot smaller.
Councilmember Searcy referenced the absent members and stated that the full Council needed to
sit down and have a serious discussion about the project.
Mr. Gaudet stated that staff could present vetted options at a future Workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.
a
Co p eted by Jessica Green, MMC, Village Clerk