Open Letter to Marinwood CSD Board Members & Staff
August
31, 2016
Shea, Perry, Kleinman-Green, Schwartz , Naylor
Dreikosen, Roach
RE: Comments on
the proposed Marinwood Fire Department agenda item for August 31, 2017 at 5:00
PM.
Dear Board
members and Staff:
The Marinwood
Fire Department kitchen proposal is an astoundingly wasteful proposal which
wastes district resources that should be spent on items of greater utility to
district to fulfill its mission. A
perfectly serviceable and modern kitchen can be built for a fraction of the
$60,000 cost. As indicated in the
kitchen drawing, budget cabinetry for the kitchen only costs $4253 and an
upgraded stainless commercial kitchen may cost less than $15,000. Examples of both items were submitted by
community members and me earlier this year.
The district
also turned down a generous offer of a donation from a member of the public in
the amount of $25,000. I believe this
offer has been rescinded but it was fast way to fund the project at no cost to
the district.
Why then is Marinwood CSD choosing the MOST EXPENSIVE option? At the August 8 2017 CSD meeting we learned from Chief Roach that John Pope construction submitted a bid for the project for $54,280 and will likely subcontract out at least part of the project. He has two sons in the fire service and a personal relationship with some on the board. His qualification as a “prevailing wage” contractor is completely irrelevant if Marinwood CSD can keep the contract under the $25,000 threshold for public works projects.
If the
Marinwood CSD determines that it DOES need a “prevailing wage” contractor than
it appears it may have violated ethical and legal guidelines by contacting
select contractors prior to the bid process under government contracting law.
It is VERY LIKELY that the Marinwood Fire Department may be merged with other agencies in the near future and the investment in a luxury kitchen remodel could be money wasted if the companion agencies determine that our fire service should be run from a different facility.
We should be
shoring up our capital reserves for more pressing projects and not wasting
$60,000 on a project that could have a very short useful life to the district.
We need money
for park benches, new programs, tennis court resurfacing, maintenance shed
construction and pension reserves. It
makes no sense to waste money now on an overpriced kitchen when commercial
grade alternatives can be had for tens of thousands of dollars in savings.
Should the
Marinwood recklessly approve the expensive “prevailing wage” kitchen option
above $25,000 then it can be expected that methods of bid solicitation, conduct
of this meeting under the Brown Act and associated items wil receive legal scrutiny
from appropriate legal authority and possibly result in civil action.
I hope upon
review the “prevailing wage option will be scrapped and an attractive, low cost
commercial kitchen option is chosen for maximum return on investment, long
service life and residual market value if the fire department changes location
in the near future.
Respectfully,
Stephen Nestel
Marinwood, CA
Source documents:
Projects that cost more than $25,000 are
subject to Public Notice of Request for Proposal
ARTICLE 43. Community Services
Districts [20680 - 20683]
( Heading of Article 43 amended by Stats. 1984,
Ch. 1128, Sec. 51. )
Prevailing Wage law states that only construction projects costing more than $25,000 are subject to Prevailing Wages. (http://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/faq_prevailingwage.html)
Plan of Marinwood
Firehouse Kitchen shows IKEA Cabinet cost estimate = $4253 (from Marinwood CSD)
Preliminary Bid from
John Pope Construction for $54,280 (from Marinwood CSD)
Note: The
Special meeting of Marinwood CSD held on 8/31/2017 has failed to meets its
public noticing requirements
“The
Brown Act provides that “[a] special meeting may be called at any time by the
presiding officer of the legislative body of a local agency, or by a majority
of the members of the legislative body.” Gov’t Code § 54956.
However, certain requirements must be met. First, written notice must be
delivered personally or by mail to each member of the board and to each local
newspaper of general circulation, radio or TV station that has requested
notices in writing from the board (unless any of these have submitted a written
document waiving such notice). Second, the notice must be received at
least 24 hours before the time of the meeting specified in the notice. Third,
the notice must specify the time, date and place of the meeting and the
business to be transacted. No other business shall be
considered. Fourth, the
notice must be posted at least 24 hours prior to the special meeting in a
location that is freely accessible to members of the public. Gov’t Code §
54956.”
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