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An architect, Jovasevic expressed concern at the Town Board meeting over a vote in favor of Sullivan Architecture, PC, citing a higher cost than his proposal and a Sept. 30 expiration date for the other firm’s version. Conversation in the video turns to the gazebo contract at around an hour and 46 minutes into the meeting.
The Town Board appointed Jovasevic to his seat in April 2012, according to meeting minutes. His name is no longer listed on the ARB’s website.
Sullivan’s proposed fees are broken down by phases. They include $1,500 for pre-design, $14,500 for a construction-related phase, an estimated $4,000 for bidding and an estimated $1,000 per week for contract administration. However, the amount needed in connection with a town approvals phase is to be determined.
Jovasevic told the board that his proposal called for a minimum fee of $7,920 and going to a maximum of 10 percent of the construction cost. He added that his contract administration fee was $990 and that his hourly rate was $165 for additional services.
“I’m really, truly disappointed,” he said at the meeting. “I think that as a licensed professional, I did not deserve this.”
Citing the expiration date, Jovasevic told the board that he was the “only legitimate bidder left.” He also referred to Sullivan’s proposal as having the “potential to be well over $25,000, more than double my proposal.”
“How do you justify sitting here after saying that you’re going to be transparent, that you want to save North Castle money?” he asked at the meeting.
The rebuilding of the gazebo is a priority following the collapse of the previous gazebo’s roof in June during the course of a renovation project. Remains of the old structure were subsequently removed from the site.
Town Administrator Joan Goldberg explained at the meeting that the proposal choice was due to feedback from a committee, which was ad hoc. She also explained that there is no requirement to go with a lower bidder.
Goldberg, mentioning the importance of having an architect, also said that “we expect a lot more involvement from the architect,” suggesting that the previous gazebo’s fall could have been avoided had one been working with the builder.
“I appreciate your proposal and I think the entire committee did, but the difference is we’re looking or a different type – we were looking for a different type of procedure, a different type of involvement,” Goldberg said at the meeting.
The project’s cost will be paid for by insurance, Goldberg then noted.
Referring to the expiration date, Town Attorney Roland Baroni said at the meeting that Sullivan orally agreed to an extension. Later in the meeting, the Town Board unanimously voted in favor of accepting Sullivan’s proposal on the condition that the extension be agreed to in writing.
Just after the vote, Jovasevic asked for communications between the Town Board, Baroni, Town Clerk Anne Curran and the town’s Recreation Department since a request for proposals (RFP) went out for the architectural services.
A copy of Sullivan's proposal is available here.
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