HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-1995 Special WorkshopCITY COUNCIL •
SPECIAL WORKSHOP MEETING
January 14, 1995
A Special Workshop Meeting of the Cape Canaveral City Council was held on January 14, 1995,
at the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The meeting was called
to order at 9:05 A.M. by Mayor Porter.
ROLL CALL:
Mayor John Porter Present
Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Randels Present
Councilmember Arthur Berger Present
Councilmember Leo Nicholas Present
Councilmember Buzz Petsos Present
City Manager Bennett Boucher Present
City Clerk Faith Miller Present
BUSINESS:
1. Interview of engineering firms who responded to RFP No. 94 -06:
9:00 - 9:25 a.m. AJT & Associates, Inc.
(Richard Wood, Dick Mullins, Lou Missett)
9:30 - 9:55 a.m. - Allen Engineering, Inc.
(John Allen, John Redmund)
10:00 - 10:25 a.m. - Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc.
(Steve Precourt, Michelle Kasak, Carol Sweeney, John
Campbell, Tom Nichols)
10:30 - 10:55 a.m. - Hartman & Associates, Inc.
(Gerry Hartman, Gary Revoir, Bill Musser)
11:00 - 11:25 a.m. - Pan American Design Services, Inc.
(Glen Vaughn, Jim White, Joe Torano)
11:30 - 11:55 a.m. Stottler, Stagg & Associates, Inc.
(John Pekar, Marc Dick, John Abi -Anon)
Representatives from each of the aforementioned firms described in detail: their firm's
background, proximity to the City, number of licensed /degreed engineers /professionals and
support staff, number of and location of offices, staff capabilities, expertise and relevant
experience. Members of Council, Mr. Boucher, and Mr. Michael Gluskin, Public Works
Director, addressed specific questions to each of the firms and the representatives responded
accordingly. Questions included: potential turnaround time for review of site plans;
municipal/urban land planning capabilities; experience in writing or reviewing Comprehensive
Plans; in -house staff abilities vs. contracting out for items such as surveying services; experience
in working with municipal architectural review boards; any potential conflict of interests; and
strongest discipline within each organization.
City of Cape Canaveral, Flo da
Special City Council Workshop Meeting
January 14, 1995
Page 2
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During the presentation by Dyer, Riddle, Mills, & Precourt (DRMP), current City Engineer,
Mr. Precourt expressed that his firm wished to continue to serve the City. He further explained
that there had been some problems in the past, but he felt that all of the problems had been
solved satisfactorily to both parties. Mr. Boucher commented that the firm had ironed out any
previous problems and had established continuity in its customer service and its work with
developers. Mr. Gluskin expressed that he had worked with DRMP closely over the past year
and the firm had been helpful and responsive.
During the presentation by Stottler Stagg & Associates, Mr. John Pekar frequently referred to
the objectives included in the City's recently adopted Goals and Action Plan. Mr. Pekar also
emphasized that his firm had offices within Cape Canaveral and Port Canaveral which allowed
a very close proximity to City offices. Mr. Pekar stated that his firm would not engage in any
work with other clients within the City if the firm was selected as the City Engineer in order to
avoid any potential conflict of interest.
Mayor Porter thanked each of the firms for their participation in the City's selection process.
2. Discussion Re: Ranking of engineer applicants.
Mr. Nicholas stated that he wished to discuss among Council their impressions of the
presentations. Mr. Berger stated that Council should short-list the firms down to three (3) firms
as well as discuss their impressions of the firms.
Mr. Gluskin found all the firms to be well qualified for the job the City was offering; however,
he found AJT & Associates to be more inclined toward the aerospace industry. He stated that
he was surprised to some extent that the smaller, local firms appeared more attractive because
they were local and capable.
Mr. Boucher stated that the City had prior experience with two (2) of the firms, DRMP &
Hartman & Associates. He stated that locale did not have a great bearing on his decision as he
looked more at the overall capability of the firm. He stated that he had worked with Roy
Cowell, Stottler Stagg, regarding the overall "campus look" concept for City buildings including
the library and he had been very impressed with Mr. Cowell's work. He stated that DRMP had
achieved continuity in the past few months. He commented that Hartman & Associates was
currently involved in a major City project, the wastewater treatment plant expansion and the
reuse project, and he would like to have them on board for a few years after the projects were
completed. He summarized by expressing that maybe it was time to consider a local firm.
Mr. Randels stated that he had developed a list of 42 questions which he had applied to each
firm's submitted material and presentation. He stated that the engineering presentations had
strengthened his choices and he had looked at what the City would need in the next 2 -3 years.
He commented that in the future there would be more emphasis on smaller projects within the
City, but that the City did need a firm large enough to handle most, if not all, engineering tasks
in- house.
City of Cape Canaveral, Ada
Special City Council Workshop Meeting
January 14, 1995
Page 3
Mr. Petsos stated that he had like Hartman's comments regarding the design/build concept and
he liked the fact that the firm would not charge any travel or long distance phone call charges.
He stated that before he had been impressed with Stottler Stagg and after listening to the
presentations he had changed his opinion entirely. He appreciated Stottler's comments about
personally reviewing properties that were up for site plan review within the City. He stated that
there were advantages with continuing with Dyer, Riddle as well.
Mr. Nicholas stated that he had used "local firms" as a major criteria. He commented that out
of the four (4) local firms who had presented, he could eliminate three (3) out of the four (4).
He stated his impressions as follows: AJT appeared to be mainly space oriented and there
presentation was very general; Allen Engineering was small with a lot of capability, but he was
concerned with the conflict of interest in that the firm did a lot of small design work within the
City; and he was completely disappointed in Pan American's presentation. Mr. Nicholas stated
that in his opinion, DRMP, Hartman & Associates, and Stottler Stagg came out the strongest.
He stated that two (2) of the firms had present experience with the City. He stated that he was
quite impressed with Stottler's presentation and their apparent interest in the City's future.
Mr. Berger stated that he had personal experience with several of the companies, but he had to
look at the best interests of the City. He stated that there were long term and short term
objectives within the City and he stated that location and service was certainly a factor in his
decision. He expressed that Council needed to decide which company could serve the City best
and take pride in their work and become really active in the community.
Mayor Porter stated that he was willing and ready to rank the three (3) firms. Council, Mr.
Boucher, and Mr. Gluskin each ranked the firms in writing. Ms. Miller tallied and announced
the results as follows:
1) Stottler Stagg & Associates, Inc. (7 - No. 1 votes)
2) Hartman & Associates, Inc. (6 - No. 2 votes)
3) Dyer, Riddle, Mills & Precourt, Inc. (6 - No. 3 votes)
Council concurred with the ranking. Mr. Boucher advised that he would begin contract
negotiations with the top - ranked firm and present a draft agreement to Council at the first
workshop meeting in February.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being, Tic), V$313.pilitess, the meeting adjourned at 12:50 P.M.
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Faith CL' Mille
City Clerk