$306,500 and counting. Since 2011 the city has been paying a consultant for this boondoggle that seems to be a nightmare that never ends.Tonight at the finance committee, probably without a word, the city will fork over more money. This is the first time that there is a scope of services that I have seen. And, there is more info in the non-competitive selection request form that is included. Plus, they provided info about how much money has already been given to him. I’m telling you, great job if you can get it.
FISCAL NOTE
The proposed resolution authorizes amending the contract with AVA Civic Enterprises, Inc. as the sole source for providing the scope of services attached as exhibit A. The term of the proposed contract shall be until December 31, 2020, unless otherwise extended, and payment will not exceed $30,000 without prior authorization. The Judge Doyle capital project has sufficient funding for the proposed contract amount. No additional City appropriation is required.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, since 2011 George E. Austin has acted as the City’s project director and staff team lead for the Judge Doyle Project through a series of contracts between the City and his company, AVA Civic Enterprises, Inc. (“AVA”); and,
WHEREAS, on July 5, 2016, the Common Council adopted RES-16-00510 approving the City to enter into a development agreement with Beitler Real Estate Services (the “Development Agreement”); and,
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 5.1(a)(1) of the Development Agreement, George Austin was chosen to act as City Agent in the development of the Public Ramp, based on his experience both professionally and in the negotiation of the Development Agreement in accordance with MGO 4.26(4)(a)(7); and,
WHEREAS, on September 20, 2016, the Common Council adopted RES-16-00713 authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with AVA for services to lead the pre-construction phase of planning and implementation for the Judge Doyle Project as the sole source for providing the services with payment based on time and materials with expenditures not to exceed $60,000 without prior authorization (the “Prior Contract”); and,
WHEREAS, on September 5, 2017, the Common Council adopted RES- 17-00698 awarding Public Works Contract # 7952 Judge Doyle Garage for construction of the Public Ramp to J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc., and,
WHEREAS, on December 5, 2017 the Common Council adopted RES-17-00954 authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a contract with AVA for Project Director Services as a sole source for the scope of services including acting as the city agent in negotiations, leading the City project team to deliver the parking facility, preparing specific strategies, plans and timetables and managing communication with payment based on time and materials and expenditures not to exceed $75,000 without prior authorization (the “Contract”), unless otherwise extended, and,
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2019 the Common Council adopted RES-19-00136 awarding public works contract no. 8290 for the construction of the Judge Doyle Podium above the Public Ramp, and,
WHEREAS, on February 26, 2019 the Common Council adopted RES-19-00161 authorizing the Issuance of a Request for Proposals to Seek a Developer to Complete the Private Portion of the Judge Doyle-Block 88 Project, and,
WHEREAS, on April 22, 2019 the Common Council adopted RES-19-00316 authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to amend the contract with AVA for Project Director Services as a sole source for a scope of services to include managing the conclusion of the construction phase of the Public Ramp and Judge Doyle Podium and the request for proposals to seek a developer to complete the private portion of the Judge Doyle-Block 88 Project with payment based on time and materials and expenditures not to exceed $31,500 without prior authorization (the “Contract”), unless otherwise extended, and,
WHEREAS, this current contract extension expires on February 29, 2020, and,
WHEREAS, construction of the Judge Doyle Podium and Public Ramp is expected to be completed soon, and,
WHEREAS, the City is currently negotiating the private development components of Blocks 88 and 105, and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to MGO 4.26(4)(a)(7), based on AVA’s experience both professionally and in prior phases of the planning and implementation of the Judge Doyle Project including but not limited to the negotiation of the Development Agreement and leadership throughout the many phases of the Judge Doyle Project, the City wishes to retain AVA for services through the completion of the private development negotiation phase of Blocks 88 and 105.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized to amend the Contract with AVA for the scope of services attached as Exhibit A, as the sole source for providing those services, with payment based on time and materials with expenditures not to exceed $30,000 without prior authorization (the “Amended Contract”), and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the term of the Amended Contract shall be until December 31, 2020, unless otherwise extended, based on the anticipated schedule for the private development negotiating phase of the Judge Doyle Project (Blocks 88 and 105), and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Clerk are authorized to execute the Contract with AVA Civic Enterprises, Inc., in a form to be approved by the City Attorney
JUSTIFICATION FOR THE REQUEST FROM STAFF
AVA (George Austin) has provided extensive Project Director Services for the Judge Doyle development. His knowledge of the development history, developer selection process, developer negations, development agreement, building plans, land use application, budget and approvals make him uniquely qualified to provide the Project Director Services. It would not be economical to hire an alternative party to provide Project Director Services and have them do the work necessary to learn the details Mr. Austin already possesses. The City’s ability to meet critical timelines and efficiently and effectively manage the Judge Doyle transaction is best served by hiring Mr. Austin to continue his services.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THE REQUEST FROM STAFF
Since 2011, the Common Council has authorized 6 contracts with AVA Civic Enterprises totalling $306,500 for consulng work on the Judge Doyle Square project. AVA has not been paid by the City for any other services outside of these contracts.
IS THIS THE LAST OF IT?
It’s been 9 years . . . can we be done now? The city really needs to figure out when it uses consultants and when it uses staff to do the work of the city. Consultants need to be used for special expertise. Over 9 years we could have had someone on staff, developing any expertise that was needed and using it in the future.
For other blogs on this issue please just a small portion of the blogs on this over the years:
- March 25, 2019 – More Money for George Austin for Judge Doyle Square
- February 14, 2018 – City Purchasing Leaning Toward Less Bidding for City Purchases?
- November 3, 2015 – Developer and Exact Sciences should reimburse the City!
- August 26, 2015 – JDS: Where is the Equity Analysis?
- June 20, 2013 – Catching Up on Judge Doyle Square
- February 7, 2011 – Public Cut Out of Planning for Downtown
- September 20, 2010 – The Problem with George Austin and the Public Market Square
Money well spent. I am surprised you would argue otherwise. Hire someone for $30,000 per year and expect the same expertise? Not likely. This thing has been a mess, but the end result is what matters. $30,000 per year is a drop in the bucket.
We’ve paid over $300,000 already . . . that is the complaint. They keep doing $25,000 and $50,000 there and $30,000 here so no one complains as the bills adds up and up and up.
This guy and the City representatives thinks money grows on trees.
Hey, this is coming out of my pocket and the rest of residents.
We need some skilled people who understand business to begin
running this city so that the whole city does not go bankrupt.
Is Judge Doyle Square ever going to be finished or is it going to be
non-finished pit in the ground in our downtown?