The majority of Humboldt General Hospital's board members gave the go-ahead for the architect/construction manager team to compress the schedule for producing the architectural plans, construction documents, and bid specifications for the remaining phases (four and five) of hospital construction and remodeling.
Over $1 million has been been spent so far on architectural work and construction documents; the board's approval of the remainder of design services will cost over $2 million, for a total not to exceed $3.5 million.
The architectural/design team presented what they believe are the advantages for condensing the planning and construction phases of hospital expansion and remodeling. They believe a total of $1.5 million in savings would result from an 11-month condensation on the construction project timeline.
In addition to cost savings, other advantages they outlined included a reduction in disruption at the hospital during construction, less money and time spent mobilizing construction operations and crews between phases and equipment rental costs would be lower.
"The scope of the project hasn't changed at all," said CTA Architects Project Manager Tom Callett. He added that carefully planned phasing will still be needed throughout the project to keep the hospital operating smoothly.
"We're just about ready to have a guaranteed price for Phase Three construction," Callett said.
Once the bids come in, the hospital board will be asked for final approval to proceed with actual construction on Phase Three, which includes the memory care facility and remodel of Harmony Manor long-term care facility.
"With the modular office building on schedule for completion in the near future, the time-line is just about ready to take off," said Callett.
Board members were interested, but cautious in exploring the benefits of the compressed construction time line.
Board member Mel Hummel wanted to be sure there will still be points in the time line when the board will have to give their specific approval for each of the next phases.
Board member Marlene Brissenden wanted to put off deciding whether to approve the completion of architectural plans and construction documents until board member Kevin Chatfield and the board member to be appointed right after the election, could consider the decision.
Election results will mean that the county commission will continue to appoint a commissioner to serve on the board; Michelle Miller will fill the seat on the board that has been open since former board member Mary Orr resigned months ago, and Richard Cook will replace incumbent Moe Hanzlik.
Although hospital board members do not usually take office until January, Miller will be seated in time for the next board meeting - that decision was made some time ago because the seat has been vacant for so long.
Although Brissenden said she couldn't see what harm would come from putting off the decision for a month, the architects and HGH owners' representative Mike Sheppard said making the decision now would keep the planning moving forward smoothly.
"The question on the table this evening is whether we can move forward while we have the momentum and have the design team in place," said Sheppard. "We're not talking about construction this evening; we're only asking the board to approve the design team continuing to take the design through phases four and five. The bigger decisions will come down the line after the new board member is present and Kevin (Chatfield) is back."
"We all worry about the specter of changes in gold mining," Sheppard acknowledged. "But as Jim (Parrish) mentioned, the changes in the Affordable Care Act, the things happening in Medicaid and people being forced onto insurance will bring an influx of patients. You're not in jeopardy financially."
"Next month or the beginning of December is when you will make the decision whether to go forward with construction of phase three if the bids are good," said Parrish.
Hanzlik, Mel Hummell and Ed Hopfer said they believed it was a prudent move and voted in favor of approving completion of the architectural and construction documents. Board member Brissenden voted against.
In a related agenda item, board members who were present unanimously voted in favor of a Union Pacific property lease agreement for two acres the hospital will use as a construction staging area across the street from HGH. Sheppard noted the area will be cleared, graded, and graveled to keep
down the dust and fenced for security.
It was noted that there is no room on existing hospital property for construction staging.[[In-content Ad]]
