Before KCBS airs an investigative report of Richmond High's lack of security, there are no plans to use $400 million of Measure J funds for fencing and a new security camera system at the school. After the report airs in November, the district decides to figure out a way to fund new fences and a security camera system at Richmond High and have both finished before the start of the next school year. After five months of trying to budget the plans' construction with law suit settlement money from the state, the district board decides to allocate Measure J money for both projects. The budget and plans for both upgrades expand to the point that the earliest camera system installation would instead be April 2010 and the earliest the fences would be done is August 2010. On October 24, 2009 the rape of 16-year-old teen in a dark, isolated courtyard guarded from the outside by a fence no taller than five feet. No cameras work in the area to identify the 10 or more men that raped the victim.
Created by kmcintyre3 on Nov 5, 2009
Last updated: 03/10/10 at 04:43 PM
Digital desktop and surveillance camera contract approved.
Digital desktop and security camera bids open at 2 p.m.
http://www.wccusd.net/Board%20Information/Agendas,%20Packets%20and%20Minutes/Agendas/2009-2010/Agenda%2011-4-09.pdf
Because of dim lighting at the scene of a rape, some passers-by had no idea what was happening as they walked on by. The next weekend, the old lights were replaced with new, bright ones. Photo by Don Gosney
Second walk-through for bidders.
A 16-year-old student was beaten, robbed and raped by multiple men in a dimly-lit courtyard on the north side of the Richmond High School campus, according to the Richmond Police Department. The alleged assault went on for more than two hours on the night of the school's homecoming dance.
http://richmondconfidential.org/2009/10/27/safety-measures-under-scrutiny/
First walk-though for bidders.
The second bid is advertised for digital desktop and security cameras.
The first bid advertisement for a digital desktop and security camera project was estimated at $300,000.
The total cost of the project including cost, design and construction is estimated at $1,171,511.
http://www.mypublicnotices.com/BayAreaNewsGroup/PublicNotice.asp?Page=PublicNotice&AdId=1595446
The district board submits missing F-10 form to Division of the State Architect, which moves the priority of the project up to Category 2 from Category 3. Bill Savidge, the district's engineering officer, said they could only apply to Category 1 if the district certified they would not ask for any state funding of the project.
The district submits their fencing plans to the Division of the State Architect, but without a form F-10. The F-10 form informs the DSA of how quickly the district wants the office to approve their plans. The project is automatically assigned to Category three priority on a scale of four, with four being the lowest priority.
The application is searchable under the DSA Project Status link with application number 110936.
http://www.dsa.dgs.ca.gov/Tools/default.htm
The Richmond High School surveillance camera project is ready to go out to bid with one exception - staff is considering adopting a new district standard for integrated building systems throughout most of the district. The data network would incorporate cable TV, internal TV systems, surveillance systems, clocks and other features on a digital dashboard. Police could tap into the dashboard via a latop and view a zone triggering an alarm. Maxut is taking the school specifications and converting them to a digital dashboard. Staff anticipates for the Richmond High's security camera system setup to become the district standard. Plans are to go out to bid in October.
Staff reviewed the drawings for the fence and gates project. It was hoped that the Division of the State Architect would approve the fence and gates as a small project, which would mean receiving DSA comments back within a month as opposed to a large project that can take several months before it is seen, partly due to government cutbacks and imposed furlough days. Richmond High staff and the city engineer reviewed plans and are very supportive.
The entire project is estimated to be completed by the end of next summer.
http://www.wccusd.net/Committee%20Information/Facilites/Minutes/2009-2010%20Minutes/FSC%20Aug.%2018%202009%20Minutes%20Final.pdf
The fencing and camera project, item No. 6 on the Facilities Subcommittee meeting agenda, was postponed until the August meeting because members ran out of time. Robert Brower, who said he attended the meeting, recalled Charles Ramsey having to leave for a conference in San Francisco.
http://www.wccusd.net/Committee%20Information/Facilites/Agendas/2009-2010/Facility%20Subcommittee%20Agenda%20Final%20-July%2021%202009.pdf
David Thorman of the Division of the State Architect wrote a message saying that the department was trying to hurry the approval process for school facilities.
This letter can be seen under a 6-15-2009 news entry at the Division of the State Architect news page.
http://www.dsa.dgs.ca.gov/About/News.htm
Jose Vilar of Baker and Vilar Architects increased the fee of this professional services contract by $77, 011.
The design and engineering costs for both projects is now $96,511.
This can be seen on page 41 and 42 of the June 3, 2009 board packet.
http://www.wccusd.net/Board%20Information/Agendas,%20Packets%20and%20Minutes/Packets/2008-2009/Packet%206-3-09.pdf
The fee of the professional services contracts for Martin Ajayjobe of Maxut increased to $19,500. This can be seen on page 48 and 49 of the May 20, 2009 board packet.
http://www.wccusd.net/Board%20Information/Agendas,%20Packets%20and%20Minutes/Packets/2008-2009/Packet%205-20-09.pdf
It was indicated at a facilities subcommittee meeting that Measure J would be the funding source for the school's fencing and surveillance system. More money is available for the projects with funding from Measure J, which gave the district $400 million for school construction projects in 2005.
http://www.wccusd.net/Committee%20Information/Facilites/Minutes/2007-2009/FBSC%20Minutes%20%205%2013%2009.pdf
Architect Jose Vilar brought a rendering of the fence and gate project to a Facilities Subcommittee meeting so members Antonio Medrano and Charles Ramsey could see the changes to the project. The changes were intended to lower the cost of the project, which still had no funding source specified yet.
Vilar explained that the ornamental fencing was being cut back and replaced with chain link fencing. The height of the fence at the front of the school was to be lowered from 10 to 8 feet.
Medrano and Ramsey decided to keep the original scope of the project with the exception of the height of the fence.
http://www.wccusd.net/Committee%20Information/Facilites/Minutes/2007-2009/FBSC%20Minutes%20Approved%204%208%202009.pdf
At a Facilities Subcommittee meeting, Martin Ajayjobe of Maxut explained the study that was conducted to determine how the security cameras would be placed in the school. There was to be about 110 cameras installed. Jose Vilar of Baker and Vilar Architects explained some changes to the original plan for fencing at the school. Board member Antonio Medrano asked for a time line on both portions of the project. The camera project was to start as soon as it went out to bid, and the fencing project was to be done during the summer. Staff expected both projects to be completed before school started in fall 2009.
New district board member Antonio Medrano tells CBS-5 that because of the influx of calls after the investigation aired, the district will find a way to get new cameras and fences up by summer. That timeline does not hold up later.
http://cbs5.com/video/?id=45003@kpix.dayport.com
Architect Jose Vilar presents three fencing project scenarios for Richmond High School at a facilities subcommittee meeting. Antonio Medrano and Charles Ramsey were the board members who attended the meeting. Crash proof fences are discussed because a flaming van had crashed through a fence and was left on the football turf to burn in early 2008. Around $100,000 was spent to replace the ruined astro-turf.
http://www.wccusd.net/Committee%20Information/Facilites/Minutes/2007-2009/1_14_09.pdf
Bill Savidge, district engineering officer, introduced Jose Vilar from Baker Vilar Architects. Vilar met with site administrators and the District’s M & O Administration to determine what the fencing needs would be for Richmond High School. It was determined that the school should have secure gates with chain link fencing. Vilar said at the district board's Facilities Subcommittee meeting that he would be presenting three fencing options in three weeks.
http://www.wccusd.net/Committee%20Information/Facilites/Minutes/2007-2009/12_17_08.pdf
Board members ratified two professional services contracts for Richmond High projects.
1. Maxut, Martin Ajayi-Obi, engineering and design for a digital surveillance system, $12,000. Time line: December 2008 to February 2009
2. Jose Vilar, architecture and engineering "through construction" for security fence and gates, $36,151. Time line: December 2008 to July 2009.
"Through construction" means that staff expect construction will be completed by July 2009.
Funding for service contracts comes from the Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA). Funding for stalling both fences and cameras would not be allocated until May 13, 2009.
Documentation of above on Page 142 and Page 143 of December 10, 2008 board meeting packet
http://www.wccusd.net/Board%20Information/Agendas,%20Packets%20and%20Minutes/Packets/2008-2009/Packet%2012-10-08.pdf
Superintendent Bruce Harter agrees to an interview after investigation airs on TV. He said the district did not have the funding to complete all of its desired projects.
The report does not mention that $400 million from Measure J, passed in November 2005, had already been budgeted for other projects such as a $5 million football field renovation at the school.
http://cbs5.com/investigates/richmond.high.safety.2.871005.html
CBS-5 investigated the lack of adequate fencing, a broken camera system and demonstrates the ease with which outsiders are able to enter Richmond High School while in session. Superintendent Bruce Harter ran away from their camera and locked himself in the gym when asked to comment on security.
http://cbs5.com/investigates/richmond.school.safety.2.863963.html
Voters approve a measure that gives West Contra Costa Unified School District $400 million for capital improvement projects. There are no plans to use the funds for new fencing or security camera systems at Richmond High until May 2009.
http://www.smartvoter.org/2005/11/08/ca/cc/meas/J/
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