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Home My WebLink About2006 11 27 Consent 405 Letter Supporting College Public Safety Driver Training Track 112706_ eOMM _ eonsent_ 405 _see Support_Letter _Geneva_Track COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 405 Consent X Informational Public Hearing Regular November 27.2005 Regular Meeting Mgr. ~ / Dept. Authorization REQUEST: City Manager requesting the commission to authorize the mayor to send a letter supporting increased funding for the Seminole County Community College Public Saftey Driver Training Track to the County Commission. PURPOSE: This agenda item is needed to respond to a request of Seminole Community College for assistance in acquiring County Commission approval of a $200,000 increase in funding for the construction of the Public Safety Driver Training Track at Geneva. CONSIDERATIONS: Seminole Community college and Seminole county local governments have been involved in a joint venture to construct and operate a law enforcement driver training facility in Geneva. The project has experienced a $400,000 shortfall resulting in Seminole County College's request for an additional $200,000 in funding from Seminole County. FUNDING: Not applicable RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Commission authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the County Commission in support of the college's request. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Draft Letter 2. Seminole County Letter 112706_ eOMM_ eonsent_ 405 _see Support_Letter _ Geneva_Track COMMISSION ACTION: DRAFT November 22, 2006 Carlton Henley Chairman Seminole County Board of County Commissioners 1101 E. First Street Sanford, FL 32771 Dear Chairman Henley: This letter is to advise you that the Winter Springs City Commission reviewed Seminole County Community College's request for $200,000 in additional funds from the county for the public safety driver training facility in Geneva and voted unanimously to request your support of their request when it comes before you at your December 12, 2006 meeting. Thank you for your continuing support of their important public safety project. Sincerely, Sincerely, John F. Bush Mayor /jn Cc: County Manager County Commission 11/21/06 TUE 17:33 FAX 407 3282011 SCC PRES. OFFICE I4J 002 ~ \~g seminole Community College November 21,2006 100 Weldon Boulevard I Sanford, FL 32773-6199 E. Ann McGee, President I 407.708.2010 I INWW.scc-fl.edu Mr. Ronald McLemore Winter Springs City Manager 1126 East SR 434 Winter Springs, FL 32708 Dear Mr. McLemore: Attached please find a copy of a letter I recently sent to County Commission Chairman Carlton Henley requesting that the Coumty consider providing an additional $200,000 in funding for completion of Phase 1 of Seminoile Community College's Public Safety Training Complex and Driving Track on land the College is leasing from the County in Geneva. The letter to Chairman Henley is nelf explanatory. In brief: now that we have received firm bids for construction of Phase I of the Geneva project. it has become apparent that we are $400,000 short of the funding needed to C(ltmplete the $3 million project. The $200,000 we are seeking from the County, when coupled with the dollar-for-dollar state matching funds we would receive, would cover this gap and ensure completion of Phase I of the project as planned. Seminole Community College artd our law enforcement community believes that the Geneva driving track and training facility will substantially enhance the training of our law enforcement officers and lead to an overall safer community. Our commitment to this undertaking is evidenced by the nearly $2.2 million the College has dedicated to the project in addition to the $250,000 in local governmental C()ntributions and $250,000 in state matching funds. Would you please contact Chaimlan Henley and the other members of the County Commission and voice your support for our request? Time is of the essence as we are endeavoring to have this item placed on the County Commission's agenda for its December 12, 2006 meeting. Your assistance on behalf of our joint project - which has been 15 years in the making - would be deeply appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Don Payton, our Director of Governmental Relations, at (407) 708-2010 if you have any questions or would like further information. Thank you in advance for your help and for your ongoing support of ~ community college. You are a valued friend! Sincerely, B~ President District Board of Trustees Verdell Pugh Horne, Chairman I Richard H. Lee. Vice Chairman I Christopher Dorworth I Dr. Charles W. English I Dede Schaffner I E. Ann McGee, President Oviedo I Sanford/Lake Mary I Hunt Club A Diverse Learning Community...An Equal Access/Equal Opportunity College 11/21/06 TUE 17:33 FAX 407 3282011 SCC PRES. OFFICE ~003 .~C9 Seminole Cctmmunity College E. Ann McGee. President 100 Weldon Boulevard I Sanford, Fl 32773-6199 I 407.708.2010 I wwvv.scc-fl.edu November 13, 2006 The Honorable Carlton Henley Chairman Seminole County Board of Coun~y Commissioners 1101 E. First St. Sanford, FL 32771 Dear Chairman Henley: I am writing to request the assistance of the Seminole County Commission in providing $200,000 in additional funding for Seminole Community College's Public Safety Training Complex and Driving Track on land the College is leasing from the County in Geneva As you know, planning for the Ilriving Track began nearly fifteen (15) years ago. The project was initially envisioned as costil1g $1 million. Over time, as plans for the project solidified, costs have continued to rise. As a result, SCC sought and obtained $250,000 in donations from the County and local municipal governments to fund a portion of Phase I of the track. This $250,000 was matched dollar-for..dollar by the Florida Legislature under the Community College Facilities MatcbingGrant Program. In addition, SCC committed $1,111,412 in funding during Fiscal Year 2005-2006. Once the bids for the project were received, it was obvious that additional funds would be needed to complete the Driving Track. Since the College and the law enforcement community view this track as essential to tlHlir training and safety, the College added another $1 million in funding during Fiscal Year 2006-2007 bringing the College's commitment to nearly $2.2 million with $250,000 from local govermnent sources and $250,000 in State Facilities Match. As you are aware, over the past twelve months. construction costs have continued to escalate with dramatic increases in the cos.ts of concrete, copper, steel and, most especially, asphalt. The College now has firm bid prices from prospective vendors that indicate we will need a total of $3 million to complete Phase I of the project as planned. We have on hand just over $2.6 million. We are $400.000 short of the funding we need to complete Phase I. We are left with three options: (1) to scale back the scope of the project; (2) to significantly raise the nominal fees we agreed would be necessary for the maintenance of the facility in order to recoup the $400,000 constnJCtion shortfall plus interest on funds that would need to be bolTOwed; or (3) to ask for an additional $200,000 for which we can obtain a dollar-for-dollar match from the state. I have spoken with Sheriff Don Eslinger about this issue. We have agreed that reducing the scope of the project is not feasible or cost efficient. We simply would not have the type of District Board of Trustees Verdell Pugh Horne. Chairman I Richard H. lee, Vice Chairman I Christopher Dorworth I Dr. Charles W. English I Dede Schaffner I E. Ann McGee, President OViedo I Sanford/Lake Mary I Hunt Club A Diverse Learnin9 Community...An Equal AccesslEqual Opportunity College 11/21/06 TUE 17:34 FAX 407 3282011 SCC PRES. OFFICE ~004 ~.'."f . facility needed to provide the training required by Seminole County's law enforcement community. Chainnan Henley, this is a great project for our community which has been long-awaited by our dedicated law enforcement officers. It is one that is supported by Sheriff Eslinger and our entire law enforcement community. And it is one which I am hopeful the County Commission will agree is worthy of an additional $200,000 in financial support to ensure completion of the track and training facility, which will result in enhanced training for our law enforcement officers and an overall safer community. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this request with you in person at your earliest convenience. The State~etermined deadline for the receipt of funds, which will make them eligible for the State match, is January 31, 2007. Thank you for your consideration lmd for the great support you have always shown for Seminole Community College. Sincerely, ~ President Ide cc: Sheriff Don Eslinger Seminole County Commissione:rs Cynthia A. Coto, County Manager SCC District Board of Trustees