EDA Winter Newsletter

WINTER NEWSLETTER Page 13

Project Management Office

Busy Time for the Project Management Office’s Construction Inspection Unit The Construction Inspection Unit, comprised of licensed Construction Inspectors, provides plan check and permitting services and also administers and enforces the building codes adopted by the County of Riverside and State of California for all county-owned projects. Currently, the unit has 53 active inspections, which vary from detention facilities to solar structures. The work of the construction inspectors assures that all county buildings in which we work are a safe place to conduct county business and to serve the public. The Project Management Office’s Environmental Compliance/Planning Division (ECPD) is responsible for regulatory compliance of all capital improvement, tenant improvement, economic development and redevelopment projects, as well as County facilities. There are three areas of compliance: One area monitors and oversees the agency’s regulatory compliance with protective air quality standards and other safety-related requirements as it pertains to all county-owned gas-fired equipment and on-site hazardous materials. Aside from keeping an estimated 300 county- maintained facilities in compliance with current state and local regulations and permitting requirements, ECPD schedules and monitors required tune-ups and regular inspections of equipment, which ultimately affect optimum system-wide functions and maintain comfortable working environments for county employees and the public, as well as lowering county operating costs. Some examples are the recent tune up of 40 boilers and several subsequent repairs as well as the agency’s ongoing monitoring and scheduled testing of six underground fuel tanks.

Alan M. Crogan Youth Treatment and Education Center (YTEC) The framing and standing seam metal roof is complete, as seen in the updated photo below. The exterior wall treatment, fire-proofing and detention cells installation continues. Construction of the 106-bed secure treatment and educational facility will house youthful offenders who are at risk of re-offending or committing a more serious offense if not put on the right

track. The goal of the Probation Department’s new facility is to focus on treatment, vocational training, and education as well as a transitional living as the youth re- enter into the community. The project is funded by a $24.7 million grant from the SB81 Youthful Offender Construction Program and general funds. Construction is anticipated to be complete by August 2016. Elevating the Quality of Construction On December 8, 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved the selection of pre-qualified general contractors to bid on the future construction or seismic renovation of county projects in three specific project types at two experience (cost) levels: a) general county facilities; b) hospital/health facilities; and c) justice/ detention facilities. The two experience (cost) levels consisted of: Level I – projects ranging from $175,000 to $4,999,999; and Level II – projects ranging from $5,000,000 to $30,000,000. The new five-part questionnaire assessed the contractor’s strength, job performance, legal history, and project experience in the selected field. This assures that the construction of various county projects will be performed by general contractors with a demonstrated history of expertise and quality job performance.