(Editor’s note: The traffic circle on Lovett Road is not a traditional roundabout and is not representative of the solution proposed for Sullivan and Gurney.  A more detailed article on Roundabouts will be published in CentralSpeaks.com in the next few weeks.)

    The EBR Parish Department of Public Works Traffic Engineering Department states that they are in agreement with the traffic consultant hired by the Central Community School System.  In an email Tuesday to Ross Bogan, the School System’s Construction Coordinator, EBR DPW Chief Engineer Bryan Harmon concurred with the School System consultant’s findings that either a Roundabout or an intersection with traffic signals would be the best solution to the anticipated traffic at the Gurney and Sullivan intersection in front of the new school complex.  Harmon further explained that the engineering studies show that a Roundabout is the technically better and less expensive solution.

    The Central Community School Board passed a resolution in its last meeting requesting that EBR Parish allow the intersection to be handled through the use of turn lanes and a stop sign.  When contacted for comment Superintendent Faulk explained that the School Board's request to avoid a Roundabout was in response to public feedback opposing Roundabouts, although some Board Members have stated that properly constructed Roundabouts do work effectively.  Additionally, Faulk relayed the Board's concern that the possible requirement to acquire property to construct a Roundabout might result in a delay in the completion of the new school projects.  The School System is inquiring as to whether there is an appeals process concerning this decision, but the Superintendent stands ready to recommend to the Board that plans go forward to include a roundabout if that is the requirement.

    In Tuesday’s email Harmon states: “Ross, our traffic engineering division completed their additional modeling of your school site as noted in the attached email below.  Based on these results they have re-confirmed the recommendations of your original traffic consultant regarding the need for either a signalized intersection or a Roundabout.  After receiving these results, I had asked Traffic to go back and assure that if growth in this area exceeded the model projections would we have the ability to expand the capacity of the proposed Roundabout or would we be locked into a fixed capacity and configuration.

    I have since received the conformation that capacity modification could be made, therefore based on both the recommendation of your traffic consultant and the findings of our Traffic Engineering Division, the required improvement for this intersection shall be a Roundabout as recommended.  Since we know that the Central School Board is now opposed to the Roundabout design concept, an alternative to the Roundabout will be a fully signalized intersection.  However as noted this alternative will have a higher long term O&M cost to the City-Parish and it is our understanding that this alternative is not consistent with the recommendation and desires of the City of Central (i.e. they desire the Roundabout).”

    David Barrow, City of Central Executive Assistant offers the following comment:  “Based upon the official traffic study report and recommendations from Neel Schaffer, the statements from Mr. Lebas, the independent study performed and recommended by EBR Traffic Engineering, and the opinion from Chief Engineer Bryan Harmon, it is my recommendation that a roundabout be installed at this intersection to provide better traffic flow and reduce the likelihood of serious accidents occurring at this intersection.”

    The engineering analysis included in the email from EBR stated that if the intersection were controlled only by a stop sign and turn lanes, the Gurney approach would be rated as an “F” in the initial year.  With traffic lights that approach would rate a “C” for the first ten years and a “D+” after 20 years.  With a Roundabout the approach would rate an “A” initially, a “B” for the next 10 years, and a “D” after 20 years.

    The email from EBR includes the following summary recommendation:  “From the findings, it is our conclusion that an un-signalized stop controlled intersection is not an acceptable option based on the expected low service rate. The roundabout option performs at an overall higher service rate than that of the signalized intersection option. Additionally, the operational/ maintenance cost of the signalized intersection option is expected to be much higher than that of the roundabout option.  Therefore, based on the service rates and operational/maintenance cost, the roundabout option is recommended.”

All Central Community School System Schools (Bellingrath, Tanglewood, Central Intermediate, Central Middle, & Central High) will be closed Thursday, February 3rd due to the possibility of bad weather.  It is expected to be very cold tomorrow with a strong chance of icy rain.  Be cautious when travelling to and from work tomorrow, as the roads will be slick.  This announcement applies to CCSS Schools only.  If you attend a different school, please contact your individual school to see if it will be in session.

There will be a Central Community School Board committee meeting open to the public at the CHS Library Monday, Feb 7th, at 6PM.  Citizens will be asked to offer comment to the Human Resources/Policies Committee on three issues: Public Comment, Agenda Items, and Structure of Committees.  The committee will consider the input and formulate proposed action to be considered by the full School Board.
 
The most discussed item on the agenda is Public Comment.  There has been controversy over the past year at School Board meetings as to when the public is allowed to address the meeting.  This committee meeting was set for the specific purpose of ensuring that the public has ample opportunity to give input on proposed new policies.  When asked about the format of this committee meeting, Superintendent Faulk assued that sufficient time will be given for citizens to give input, ask questions and receive answers.  All interested persons are encouraged to attend this meeting.

Submitted by Tracy Barnes

The Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening has been moved.  The meeting will now be held at Trinity Driving School next door to the Central School Board offices on Hooper Road.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m.  This meeting is open to the public.

Submitted by Tracy Barnes

The Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at Trinity Driving School beginning at 6:00 P.M. The meeting has been called to consider the following agenda item:

1. To receive and take appropriate action relative to the 2009-2010 Audit Report. (Requested by Mr. Faulk, presented by Hannis T. Bourgeois)

Submitted by Delia Taylor

The Central Community School Board has authorized PBK Architects to issue a construction change directive for the new Central Intermediate and Middle schools that are currently under construction.

The directive, which was authorized at a special board meeting Wednesday night, allows the contractor to proceed with the timely construction project while costs associated with changes in the construction designs are reviewed by the project’s engineers, architects and contractors.

The cost of the changes have not yet been determined, although the contractor has submitted a letter to the board requesting additional time and noting increased material costs that, combined, are estimated at more than $800,000.  Much of the estimated cost increase, approximately $500,000, is attributable to an escalation of steel prices.

It is uncertain if those estimates are actual costs and who will be responsible for paying them. 

Central School Board Chairman Jim Gardner noted that the project’s architect, contractor and steel fabricator agreed that a redesign of the structural steel specifications for the two schools was needed to improve the constructability of the designs. 

PBK Architects recommended that the board approve the directive to allow the project to continue moving forward “without any additional delays,” noting that the construction directive was an option available to the board and in accordance with the contract.

The board’s unanimous vote enables Arkel Anderson Joint Venture, the project contractor, to move forward on the fabrication of the structural steel needed for construction of the two new schools.

"The school board's action was necessary to give our architects some additional time to thoroughly review information before making a recommendation to the Board about any change orders for the re-design," Gardner said.

PBK is expected to conclude its review of documentation of the changes made to the structural steel designs and make any recommendations to the full board by early March.

Photos by Expressions Photography

At last Thursday's CCSS School Board meeting, all five Central Community School System schools announced their Students of the Year.  Each student was honored with a plaque presented to them by CCSS Superintendent Mike Faulk.  Congratulations to the following students:

Bellingrath Hills Elementary School: Camdyn Fehr

Tanglewood Elementary School: Raylee Browning

Central Intermediate School: Lauren Copeland

Central Middle School: Brennon Young

Central High School: Caleb Covington

By Dave Freneaux

    Arkel Anderson Joint Venture, the Contractor building Central’s new schools, has submitted documentation in support of a possible increase of as much as $821,000 in the cost to construct the schools.  The possible increase will not necessarily be paid by the Central Community School System, as the design issues involved appear to be the responsibility of PBK Architects, the firm hired to design the buildings.  The School Board was called to meet Wednesday at 5PM to determine the best course of action to ensure quality construction while minimizing delays and additional costs and protecting the interests of Central’s taxpayers.

     The School Board met first in executive session with attorneys, then in open meeting with the public and representatives of Arkel Anderson Joint Venture.  The Board unanimously voted to issue a “Constructive Change Directive”, which acknowledges that there is a problem but requests that construction proceed while resolution to the issue is negotiated.  The parties agreed that the resolution period would be 30 days.

     Traditionally, design flaws are the financial responsibility of the architects and engineers hired to provide the plans, and often “Errors & Ommissions” insurance policies ultimately protect all parties.  However, the contract to construct the schools is between the School System and Arkel.  The challenge facing the School Board is to negotiate a solution to the issue in which all parties are treated fairly and Central’s taxpayers are protected.  While some of the $821,000 costs are based on the costs of manpower, delays and overtime, approximately $500,000 of that amount is based solely on the increase in the cost of steel that has occurred during the months required to redesign the structural steel plans.

Submitted by CCSS's Tracy Barnes

AGENDA

SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

January 26, 2011

5:00 PM

Central Intermediate School Library

10510 Joor Road
Central, LA   

1. Call to Order
2. Prayer
3. Pledge
4. Roll Call

NOTE:  The following item may be discussed in Executive Session pursuant to
              La. R.S. 42:17 A. (2) regarding the written demand.

    5.   To consider and take appropriate action with regard to a written demand
          from Arkel Anderson Joint Venture; specifically relative to the steel re-
          design claim received on January 17, 2011 and the Arkel Anderson letter
          of January 21, 2011 requesting resolution to the claim. (Mr. Bogan)

    6.   Adjourn

Submitted by Amanda Firmin

St. Alphonsus School would like to recognize Shae Fruge, Victoria Simmons, and Taylor Boykin for taking part in the 7th Grade Duke University Talent Identification Program.  In order to qualify for the program, students must score at or above the 95th percentile on the Terra Nova Test.