Agenda Item 2a1_AARC Workgroup Meeting Note - 2/9/2021 — original pdf

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AARC Workgroup meeting for the AAQoL Tuesday, February 9, 12:00-1:00pm 1. AARC Phase ll Project: In attendance: Sona Shah, Kirk Yoshida, Debasree DasGupta, Vince Cobalis, Shruti Anand, Laura Esparza, Jimmy Flannigan, Thuy Nguyen Sona shared the following timeline provided by Christina from the PARD. “On January 28, 2021, City Council approved utilization of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) methodology for construction of the AARC Performing Arts Center. Following this approval, the solicitation for Request for Qualification (RFQ) for Professional Design Services (Architectural and Engineering Services) was posted on Austin Finance Online on February 3, 2021. The Pre-Response meeting is scheduled for February 10, 2021. Solicitation responses are due March 17, 2021. An evaluation period will follow shortly thereafter with the top scoring firm to be presented to City Council on June 10, 2021 to obtain approval to negotiate a contract. Contract execution for A/E Design services is scheduled for August 2021. The solicitation for CMAR services is scheduled to be posted on March 1, 2021 with an April 12, 2021 due date. The CMR solicitation is targeted for award by Council in July 2021 and executed after negotiation in October 2021. The original assigned Public Works Department Project Manager, Riley Triggs, is now a Project Management Supervisor within the same division. The AARC PAC has been assigned to David Nicks, Project Manager. Riley will continue to oversee David and the progress of the project. PARD’s Communication Engagement Unit, along with Sona Shah and Project Coordinator Christina Bies, have started the initial planning and outline for Community Engagement for the project. A draft outline of the plan is anticipated in April 2021.” Discussion on the above…. Laura responded to the question regarding restrictions on the RFQ request. It can be discussed until March 1st when the solicitation for CMAR will be posted. Discussion on letting the community know as Asian construction firms might have interest. Vince asked if the timeline could be shared with NAAO/GAAACC etc. (Vince and Laura have since exchanged e-mails and Laura has confirmed that we do have permission to share the timeline). These might have to be done virtually until COVID restrictions have been lifted. PARD has had several virtual community engagement sessions fairly successfully, with 10% of invitees attending and engaging in much discussion. Community engagement department is somewhat overtaxed as there is only one employee. Sona has been meeting with PARD regarding proceeding with community engagement. These need to be held after October once the finalization of architect and contract has been established. Unsurety about funding makes this a rather complicated process. Jimmy suggested looking into Economic Development areas as funding for cultural spaces is not easy to come by. Vince is looking into applying for some funding for the next fiscal year. Kirk to communicate with city council members. Jimmy also offered to reach out to them. 2. Update on AARC activities: Sona is soliciting suggestions on what folks would like to see at the AARC and receiving encouraging responses. Thuy and Debasree suggested parenting classes for young Asians as well as programs for the youth. Celebrasia will be a virtual event to be held on May 1st and featuring music, dances, game shows and cooking demonstrations. Laura mentioned a celebration once the theater opens up and looking for ideas for it. Group to discuss this at Commission meeting. Meeting adjourned at 1:00pm.