Legislators Ltrs Construct Mgmt
March 11, 2002
VIA E-Marl and
1st Class Mail
mike_connolly@legis.state.ia, us
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Iowa State Senator
3458 Daniels
Dubuque, IA 52001
RE: SF2292 - Construction Management Bill
Dear Senator Connolly:
I am writing to you regarding SF2292 - Construction Management bill. Under its current
language, this bill would prohibit public owners from entering into construction
management contracts with private firms for public improvements. The definition of
"public owner" includes an institution supported, in whole or in part, by public funds. As
you know, the City of Dubuque uses a competitive bidding process for our public
improvements; however, we have used the services of a construction manager for
projects that require a design-build approach or are time sensitive, This includes utility
projects, parking ramp construction and construction of the education and conference
center. We are currently using the services of a local architecture and construbtion
management firm to assist us in managing the public improvement portions of the $188
million America's River project, due to the time and costs associated with that project.
To prohibit cities and our partners in using this approach to construction would
significantly restrict our ability to deal with "fast-track" projects, increase project costs to
taxpayers and hinder our development efforts. Since the construction management
approach is very similar in nature to a general contract, it does not exclude a general
contractor from bidding some or all of a project, or even submitting a proposal to
construction manage a project. It is my understanding that this bill is not uniformly
promoted by the construction trade, but rather a small group of contractors. I would
Stance People Integrity Responsibilily Irmovation T~amwork
Senator Mike Connoliy
March 11, 2002
Page 2
encourage you to vote against this bill that will severely hinder cities undertaking pubic
improvements.
MCVM:cs
CC:
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
Mayor Terry Duggan
Dubuque City Council'
Tom Bredeweg, Executive Director, Iowa League of Cities
Rick Dickinson, Executive Director Greater Dubuque Development Corp.
Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
The Honorable Mike Connolly
Iowa State Senator
3458 Daniels
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Pam Jochum
Iowa State Representative
2368 Jackson
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Robert Osterhaus
Iowa State Representative
216 Austin
Maquoketa, IA 52060
The Honorable Thomas Flynn
Iowa State Senator
21367 Girl Scout Road
Epworth, IA 52045
The Honorable Pat Murphy
Iowa State Representative
155 N. Grandview Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001
The Honorable Paul Scherrman
Iowa State Representative
P.O. Box 309
Farley, IA 52046