Volunteer Q&A: Al Reeve, Contract Attorney

This is the second in a series of posts throughout our new library project about people that are volunteering their time and making a difference. There are a lot of contributors to this effort! Read below about attorney Al Reeve and then, below in the comments, nominate another person I should write about next.

Al Reeve

Q: What made you interested in volunteering you time to the Mendon Public Library project?

I learned about the project from the newspaper (I can’t remember which one). I wanted to help the Town on a pro bono basis for two reasons. First, I enjoy assisting not-for-profit owners who do not have a lot of  experience with construction contracts, as I think they could use the help. This was also like helping a neighbor who needed a hand. Second, I get an opportunity to get acquainted with the various parties to the project.

Q: What is your background in supporting building projects?

I have over 30 years of experience as a construction lawyer. My first 15 years were spent as an in-house claims attorney for several bonding companies on public works projects. Since 1990 I have been a practicing lawyer in New York representing public and private owners, contractors, subcontractors, bonding companies, architects and engineers. My practice (Reeve Law Firm on Monroe Ave. in Rochester)  involves preparing construction contracts, structuring construction projects to avoid disputes, and negotiating settlements or litigating when they occur. If settlement is not possible, I represent clients in mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Q: Where do you live?

Pittsford

Q: Would you provide a brief summary of the legal questions you’ve addressed for the project so far?

Initially I assisted the Town in structuring the project by recommending the use of a construction manager to assist the Town in the construction process. When this was decided, I prepared the non-technical portion of the documents to be used for bidding out the four prime contracts as required by NY law. I next prepared the appropriate contracts to be used between the Town and the construction manager, and between the Town and the prime contractors who were awarded the contracts. I also assisted the Town in negotiating the replacement of the existing contract with the architect with a contract that reflected the use of a construction manager. I then assisted the Town in making sure that all of the parties with whom the Town had a contract provided the proper insurance and surety bonds so that the Town had the necessary financial protections.

Q: What do you foresee coming up for the new Mendon Library project?

It is my expectation that because of the quality of the project architect, construction manager and contractors, that the residents should witness the new library being constructed on time and on budget.

Q: What do you see as the value of having a new library building for the Town of Mendon?

It appears to me that having a new library will revitalize and increase the use of the library by the residents of Mendon, much the same way as the use of the new Pittsford Library has dramatically increased. This could also have a stimulus effect on the economy of Honeoye Falls as more residents are attracted to spend time in or near the library.

Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel Documents Library Project Process

My thanks to the Sentinel staff for the great article on p. 2 of the July 22 edition, which documents the expansion of the capital campaign, and talks about the bidding and the contract process now in progress. (Read other posts about the bid process here and here.)

By the way, the Sentinel has promised $1 to the new library project for every new subscription from now until the ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2011. To subscribe, call 585.624.5470 or send an e-mail to sentinel@frontiernet.net.

Contracts in the Works

Following the Town of Mendon’s official process, contracts are in the works with the low bidder for each of the four primes:

General construction: RB Mac Construction Co., Lockport

Plumbing: Billone, Rochester

Electrical: Concord Electric Corp., Rochester

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning: Amering & Johnston, Shortsville

The town is also working to formalize its selection of Watchdog Building Partners, Rochester, to do construction management on the project.

Heading for Construction!

Last night the four town board members present (Moe was out of town) voted unanimously to accept the low bids on the four primes for phase 1 of the new library. I want to thank them for their unified action to move the project forward! Bring on the shovels!

The town board voted with the recommendation of the library board of trustees that the signed contracts include four “alternates,” which the bidders priced out separately to help the town make a decision on whether to implement them. The approximately 8,000 sq. ft. building to be constructed in phase 1 will include:

• Eight operable sash windows: The would provide energy savings from opening windows instead of running the air conditioning at times.
• A fireplace: This feature was important to residents attending the public design forums. Plus, it may have the potential to draw in private sponsorship (It’s already part of the capital campaign “naming opportunities”–anyone interested in donating and putting their name on it?  I’m actually serious, e-mail me if you are.)
• Two study rooms: It is expected these rooms will be heavily used by patrons, including young people for school projects, adults studying for night school, people who come to the library to work using the free Wi-Fi, and small groups holding meetings.
• A stone faced exterior landscape wall facing Main Street. That’s the hip high wall in front of the building in this rendering.

Thanks also to the town staff who will follow through behind the scenes on making all this contract stuff happen!

Bid Documents now Available

Just double-checked with Mendon Town Hall and the bid packets for phase 1 of the Mendon Public Library are now available.

Having the bid “out” is an exciting and important next step!

Now, companies interested in building the new library can send in a bid for the job. In fact, separate bids will be accepted for general construction, HVAC (that’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), plumbing and electrical work.

The bid deadline is 2 p.m. “prevailing time” on Wednesday, June 30. The bids will be opened and read aloud at 2:30 p.m. on the same day at the Mendon Community Center, 167 N. Main, Honeoye  Falls.

After that, our Town of Mendon officials have 90 days to sign contracts; however, having a contract in place sooner–by early July–would facilitate completion of phase 1 (7,300 square foot new building) by the July 1, 2011, target outlined by the New York state grant.

The legal notice published in the June 3 Sentinel provides many more details on how to obtain or view bid documents and drawings, and contract documents.

Many thanks to everyone involved in getting all the documents ready!