In the next few years, Fresno will be spending 500 million dollars on city projects.
Council Member Lee Brand presented what’s called the “Construction Management Act at City Hall, on May 12th.
Brand has created a body of rules for large scale city projects over 10 million dollars to save unnecessary costs on construction.
“You’ll get somebody that is not a responsible bidder – and goes way too low on the bid and invariably those projects – they’re not qualified they go too low – will end up with many change orders which will eventually escalate costs above the bid there goes the savings. – Lee Brand Council Member.
Under-bid, unsuccessful projects like the Airport Concourse and Todd Beamer Park which incurred millions in costs at the taxpayers’ expenses, and unnecessary delays.
“We go over a million dollar over and this is general funds that’s a million dollars less that goes to police, fire, street lights, potholes – so there’s a big cost to pay when it’s not done right. – Lee Brand, Council Member.
Among the rules: minimum 5 years experience for contractors, bidders will be required to be pre-qualified for city projects over 10 million, there’ll be an oversight peer review group – with no conflict of interest, and project documents will be entered into a master database.
