PROPOSITION R ANNUAL REPORT
2015
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Looking to the future:
Sustainability The Fieldhouse Classroom Building opened to students in August, 2014. With four classrooms, a 150-seat auditorium and fitness center classrooms, the fieldhouse held 74 class sections the first semester it opened. Designed for LEED Silver, the fieldhouse achieved LEED Gold for its commitment to sustainability and conserving of water and electricity. The fieldhouse is the winner of several awards, including the Project of the Year by the San Diego chapter of the Construction Management Association. The fieldhouse recently was awarded the Green Building of the Year by the City of Chula Vista. In addition to hosting Jaguar football and soccer games, the renovated DeVore Stadium is among the
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most popular playing fields for high school football teams. The CIF San Diego section held their football championships in the stadium in 2014 and 2015 and recently signed a multi-year deal to hold the championship games at Southwestern College.
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Letter from the Chair It is my pleasure to present the annual report of the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee for Proposition R. This year has been the busiest so far for Proposition R. Several projects were completed and others have been submitted to the Division of State Architect—meaning they will be ready for groundbreaking in 2016.
This year has been the busiest so far for Proposition R.
Projects completed in this first phase of Proposition R were a central plant to service heating and cooling needs for new projects; a renovated stadium and new fieldhouse classroom building; and a massive solar array project. The second full phase of projects—which we are currently in— include a new multi-story math, science and engineering building and a new wellness center on the Chula Vista campus and new science classrooms, clinic and business center at the Higher Education Center in National City. Following close behind these projects will be a new performing and cultural arts center and a security complex to house the campus police department. As one of the largest construction projects in the South Bay, Southwestern College has made concerted efforts to reach out to women, minority and veteran-owned businesses. A key target of the construction project is to employ local workers and continue to be an economic engine for this region. We are happy to report that Proposition R held a job fair coordinated with the Local Trades Council and focused on apprenticeship opportunities for Sweetwater Union High School District graduating seniors, and a small business contractor outreach for small business, women,
minority, veteran-owned and local businesses interested in bidding opportunities in late 2015 and 2016. Through it all, Proposition R continues to receive clean audits. We welcome you to find out more about our progress by going to our website: www.swccd.edu/propr You can request a presentation to your community group, have your name added to our mailing list or leave a comment. Thank you for your community support of the students of Southwestern College.
Dennis Gittens
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Project Updates Wellness Center
The development on Southwestern College’s corner lot will be a new community hub. The first project will be a new wellness center that replaces the college’s aging gym and pool. The multi-story wellness center will house a gymnasium that can convert to a 2,500-seat auditorium. There will be two 50-meter pools and a third pool for therapy. The wellness center will also contain seven fitness classrooms and faculty offices. Construction of the wellness center will allow the college to tear down the current gym and pool to make way for a new math, science and engineering complex. The wellness center will be operated by an outside vendor, allowing the facility to be open to the public. Project Status: Project infrastructure beginning December, 2015.
Math, Science and Engineering
Multiple user group meetings were held from May 2014 to September 2015 to determine the best design and functionality of the building. Faculty created their programming around the theme of “Science on Display,” ensuring all classrooms, shared spaces and study areas were viewable and accessible. The building will be among the most energy conscious of any project built to date. The roof will collect the condensate from dew and the air conditioning units and store it in a cistern in the garden area that connects the two buildings. Designed for LEED Silver, the new buildings will contain 15 science classrooms, a rooftop telescope platform, the Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program and will recreate the beloved turtle pond. Project Status: Plans are currently at the Division of State Architect and are expected to be released in April, 2016 and begin immediate bidding of projects. Construction June 2016 to December 2017.
Blue Light Security System
The district has installed the blue light security poles at 40 locations throughout the Chula Vista campus, three Higher Education Centers and the Crown Cove Aquatic Center. Emergency calls can be placed by pushing a button on the tower, which initiates a flashing blue light and activates the security camera. Project Status: The $2.8 million project is complete.
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Higher Education Center, National City
The Higher Education Center in National City will undergo a major transformation, making it an even greater community resource. At the corner of National City Boulevard and Plaza Boulevard will be a new two-story classroom building with four science labs and a medical clinic. Students enrolled in the medical operations program will get front office and back office experience at the new clinic. A new community room will connect the new building with the existing building. The room, which can hold up to 90 people, will be a gathering place for community events. The office space and former coffee shop that fronts National City Boulevard in the existing building will be converted to a new community business hub. The Small Business Development Center, the San Diego Contracting Opportunities which helps small business garner government contracts, and the Center for International Trade Development will occupy the new community business hub. This will provide one-stop shopping and a resource area for small business owners. Project Status: Division of State Architect approval in September, 2015, construction bidding from October, 2015 to January, 2016. Construction February 2016 to December 2017.
Performing Arts and Cultural Center The architect has been conducting user group meetings with visual and performing arts faculty to determine the best design and functionality of the building. A community forum was held September 30 to gather additional feedback.
The 500-seat theater will be the centerpiece of the building, but a two-story lobby will allow for stunning artwork to be on display. Supporting facilities, including a black box theater, ample storage area for constructing and storing props, as well as versatile classroom space will meet the needs of the college’s arts programs for years. Project Status: Plans expected to be released from the Division of State Architect in November, 2016. Bidding is expected November 2016 to January 2017, with construction expected January 2017 to March 2018.
Solar Array
The solar arrays are located in five parking lots on the Chula Vista campus and are expected to generate three megawatts of electricity each year. The solar project is the largest of any educational institution in the entire San Diego Gas & Electric service area. It is expected to save the college $600,000 annually in energy costs. Project Status: Complete
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Annual performance and financial audits The independent auditing firm of Pun & McGeady conducted an audit of the internal controls, finances and performance of Proposition R. In a report provided to the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and the Southwestern College Governing Board, the auditing firm has found the district’s internal financial controls to be in compliance with Government Auditing Standards. The objectives of the performance audit are to review Proposition R expenditures, determine if the Proposition R funds were used for the purposes set forth in the ballot measure and to comply with the California Constitution and Proposition 39. The auditing firm found Southwestern College to be in compliance of all material respects and in compliance with the performance requirements of Proposition 39. Furthermore, there are no findings or questioned costs related to the performance audit of the Bond Fund for the year ended June 30, 2015.
Program Level Planning Leveraging Construction and Maintenance Funds
Proposition R has given Southwestern College the opportunity to leverage financial resources to build new buildings, but also incorporate funds for deferred maintenance and other general funds. Over the last year, the Proposition R project management team has conducted a series of studies and meetings to better inform our decisions.
The campus’ main electrical distribution and supporting transformers are being assessed by consulting electrical engineers for both capacity and condition to support the planned building program. Infrastructure Mapping and Condition Assessments
Civil engineers and surveyors from Consulting Engineers NolteV5 completed a campuswide mapping of the existing water, gas, electrical, sewer and storm water systems. The purpose of this mapping is to provide much needed utility location information to the design teams for the capital improvement projects, and as a basis for the overall infrastructure assessment and master plan that will be completed in 2016. Parallel to this mapping effort, the campus’ main electrical distribution and supporting transformers are being assessed by consulting electrical engineers for both capacity and condition to support the planned building program.
Building Condition Assessments
Building condition assessments were completed in 2015 at all campus sites by consulting engineers from Andre Pack and Associates. The team consists of a maintenance planning engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer and architect. Priority building systems reviewed include mechanical, electrical, plumbing and the building envelope (roofs, doors, windows, ceilings and floor coverings). This assessment will form the basis of the District five-year scheduled maintenance program submitted annually to the State Chancellor’s office, documenting the need for state grants and matching funds to support both modernization and re-capitalization projects that can augment Proposition R funds for specific projects.
State Funding Process for Capital Projects
In 2015, the district submitted three initial project proposals to the State Chancellor’s Office for the 2018-2019 review year and in support of the District’s Educational and Facilities Master Plans and the 2015 submitted five-year Capital Construction Plan. Projects submitted for state matching funds are the San Ysidro Higher Education Center Phase II Expansion project, the Fine Arts Gallery project at the Chula Vista campus, and the Business/CIS Communications project at the Chula Vista campus.
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Expenditures Proposition R Bond expenditures: July 1, 2014–June 30, 2015
Future planning
2016
Demolition of existing gym and 1000 building to make room for the new Math, Science and Engineering buildings. Construction of new Math, Science and Engineering buildings. Construction of new science labs, medical clinic and community business hub at Higher Education Center in National City. Release of plans for the Performing Arts and Cultural Center from the Division of State Architect. Begin construction.
2017 The Proposition R Website
Here you can find additional information on the Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (CBOC), upcoming and current projects schedules and the Community Benefits Agreement with the local Building Trades Council. For CBOC specifics, click the “Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee” link to view CBOC Resources, including meeting documents, audits, annual reports and program level documents. At the Proposition R website you will see a list of projects with links to their current status. Click any project title for project-specific details. You will also find links to Program Level Resources. To view current bid opportunities on upcoming projects, click the “Bid & Plan” tab.
Complete construction of Math, Science and Engineering buildings. Complete construction of science labs, medical clinic and community business hub at Higher Education Center in National City. Begin construction of Performing Arts and Cultural Center.
Citizens Bond Oversight Committee Members
Governing Board
Lucas Rathe, Business Representative Bob Muff, Senior Citizen Representative Matt Yagyagan, Taxpayer Organization Member Dennis Gittens, At-Large Community Member Michael Govea, Advisory or Foundation David Savage, At-Large Community Member Aileen Contreras, Student Member
Griselda Delgado Norma L. Hernandez Tim Nader Humberto Peraza, Jr. Nora E. Vargas Melissa Rodriguez, Student Governing Board Member Dr. Melinda Nish, Superintendent/President
swccd.edu/propr
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Proposition R is the $389 million general obligation bond approved by voters in 2008. Proceeds from the bonds are to be used for construction, reconstruction and/ or rehabilitation of facilities, including the furnishing and equipping of facilities, acquisition, or lease of real property for its facilities and construction management by district personnel. The goal of the district’s construction efforts is to improve affordable community college education and job training for the residents of South Bay. Bond proceeds will provide project funding at the college’s main Chula Vista campus and at each of its three Higher Education Centers in National City, Otay Mesa and San Ysidro.