City Manager Matthews referenced an e-mail she sent to the City Council on Sunday, October 9th, updating Councilmembers on the status of the Community Center project. As noted during the discussion on Thursday, October 6th, there are a series of inspections/activities that must take place in order for the city to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. These inspections/activities are sequential in nature, so a problem in the timing and conduct of one will negatively impact the entire schedule.
The City Manager advised the City Council that the final gas inspection took place on Friday, October 7th. The generator start-up was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 12th. A manufacturer's representative would be on site for the start up. James F. Knott Construction paid a premium in order to have the start-up take place on October 12th, moving ahead of other customers of the manufacturer. The City Manager stated that, following the generator start-up, the next major step in the inspection process would be the testing of the sprinkler and fire alarm systems by the Fire Marshal's Office. The final inspection would be the building inspection.
City Manager Matthews stated that she had discussed the schedule for these activities with the contractor and the City's construction management consultant on October 7th. Under the best of circumstances, they concluded that the building inspection could occur on Monday, October 17th. The City Manager reiterated that the inspection process was sequential in nature and that any problem along the way would delay the building inspection until later in that week or even into the week of October 24th, depending on the severity of the problem(s) encountered.
The City Manager further stated that, in her discussions with the contractor and the City's construction management consultant, they had talked about the City contacting its elected representatives at Montgomery County to try and expedite the remaining inspections. The consensus of the group was that doing so would be ill advised. She noted that inspectors have a great deal of latitude in terms of how stringently they apply the particular code. Any attempt by the City to circumvent normal procedures could result in the inspector applying the code as strictly as possible, which is within his/her discretion. If items were found, those items would need to be addressed prior to calling out the inspector again.
City Manager Matthews then commented on Councilmember Seamens's inquiry of October 6th about the Grand Opening Celebration. She noted that, even if the City received a Certificate of Occupancy on October 17th, there would be very little time to prepare for the event. Staff was exploring whether furniture and equipment could be moved into the non-staff areas prior to obtainment of the Certificate of Occupancy. If the City were allowed to do so, these areas would need to be completely "punched out" so that no dispute arose between the City and the contractor in terms of damage or other items requiring remediation.
The City Manager concluded her report by noting that, if the City did not receive a Certificate of Occupancy prior to October 22nd, no activities could occur in the new space or on the grounds. Given the short notice, it would be extremely difficult for the City to notify the public and its elected representatives that the Grand Opening Celebration would not be taking place.