Miramar City Commission Special Meeting – H.D. Perry Park Improvements Workshop

This special meeting was held on September 14, 2022, at 4:00 PM in the Commission Chambers to workshop the H.D. Perry Park Improvements project. The agenda consisted of a single discussion item. The workshop lasted approximately two hours, concluding around 6:05 PM. The project, originally budgeted at $2.1 million in 2019, now has a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $5.9 million from D. Stevenson Construction Inc., the top-ranked firm in an RFQ process for construction manager at risk (CMAR) delivery. The park is a key enabling project to relocate recreational uses from Wellman Field to allow for affordable housing development. Commissioners raised concerns about cost escalation, procurement transparency, piecemealing, and the overall master plan for the area.

Discussion Items

• Project Overview and Timeline: Staff (Liz Valera, Chief CIP Officer; Daryl Johnson, Support Services Director; Alicia Yoom, Procurement Director) presented the project history. A $2.1 million budget was allocated in September 2019 as part of the Miramar Innovation and Technology Village (MITV). A recreational license agreement with the school board was executed in April 2020. In November 2021, D. Stevenson submitted a GMP of $5,946,668. Because that exceeded the budget, a phasing plan was developed: Phase I ($2.1 million) – site prep, underground utilities, grading, and sod; Phase II (estimated at $3.2 million) – restroom/storage building, running track, hardscape, lighting; Phase III – table tennis, playground, and tennis courts.
• Delivery Method – Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR): Staff explained that CMAR guarantees a maximum price, brings the contractor in early for pre-construction services (constructability review, value engineering), and is an open-book process. The city has used CMAR for the Public Safety Complex ($8.5M GMP) and Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater ($5.78M GMP). Pre-construction services for this project cost $56,767. Pros include reduced risk, cost control, and time savings; cons include potential ambiguity before GMP and liability for scope changes.
• Cost Escalation Context: Daryl Johnson presented a chart showing construction cost increases – 14.1% average year-over-year since 2019. He cited Hollywood’s police headquarters budget rising from $50M to nearly $65M during design. He noted that construction prices continue to rise and that the original $2.1M estimate was reasonable in 2019.
• Commissioner Concerns and Positions:
  • Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne expressed that the commission was not informed early enough about the project’s true scale and cost. She questioned the procurement process and wanted to see the full master plan, not piecemeal phases. She noted that Phase I alone ($2.1M) would only yield a green field without restrooms, which she considered inadequate. She suggested testing the market with a conventional bid due to the tripling of costs.
  • Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers echoed concerns about not being notified earlier. He strongly opposed phasing without knowing total cost. He stated the project cost has more than doubled (from $2.1M to $5.9M) and that the commission needs a clear, complete number before deciding. He proposed eliminating the tennis courts from the project to save money and time, keeping the existing courts at the Youth Enrichment Center (YEC). He wanted a complete park – field, track, restrooms – delivered turnkey.
  • Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis asked why the commission wasn’t informed earlier about D. Stevenson’s involvement, comparing it to the Siemens energy efficiency project. She raised concerns about the new school board members (five new members) who may not support the project. She suggested using $2.1 million from the MITV fund (which must be spent quickly to avoid IRS penalties) to help fund the park. She emphasized that affordable housing is the priority and that the technology village may need to be delayed.
  • Mayor Wayne M. Messam advocated for the park, stating the community expects a state-of-the-art facility as originally envisioned. He argued that construction cost increases are a reality due to COVID and inflation (citing home value increases of ~40% since 2019). He stressed that the park is a necessary enabling project for affordable housing and that the commission must have the political will to fund it. He noted that the CMAR process is open book and transparent. He supported starting with Phase I to get infrastructure in place while seeking additional funding in future budgets.
• Additional Discussion:
  • Staff clarified that the school board’s approval for the project was already granted, but an extension and phasing plan will be presented to the new board. Deputy City Manager Kelvin Baker confirmed that the park’s completion is required before the affordable housing project can proceed.
  • Commissioner Chambers reiterated that moving the tennis courts is tied to the technology village, which he believes should be located elsewhere for better accessibility. He stressed that residents do not want to lose their current fields without a fully completed replacement.
  • Vice Mayor Colbourne and Commissioner Davis supported using MITV funds for the park, with Vice Mayor noting that $2.2M is available for the park and $5M for the innovation hub; reprogramming $2.1M from the hub could fill the gap.
  • The affordable housing developer estimated total project cost at $15–16 million (up from $10–12 million), but the city is leasing the land, so construction costs are borne by the developer.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken, as this was a workshop. However, the commission provided clear direction to staff:
  • Staff to return with revised estimates for a complete park (field, track, restroom/storage building) without the tennis courts, including a new total cost and timeline.
  • Consider using a different contractor or delivery method if cost savings can be achieved (Commissioner Chambers suggested possibly a new contractor).
  • Explore reprogramming $2.1 million from the MITV innovation hub fund (Fund 391) to supplement the park budget, pending approval of the FY 2023-2027 CIP.
  • Engage with new school board members to ensure continued support for the project.
  • Bring back a comprehensive master plan for the area (park, affordable housing, technology village) so the board can see the full picture.
• The workshop adjourned at approximately 6:05 PM, and the commission proceeded to a scheduled budget workshop.