Relates to the powers and duties of the joint schools construction board of the city of Syracuse and the city school district

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Amends the definitional section of the JSCB statute. It amends the composition of the JSCB. The new structure shall include the mayor (or her designee), the superintendent (or her designee), two appointments by the mayor, two appointments by the superintendent and one independent member jointly appointed by the mayor and superintendent. This section also amends the duties of the "program manager".

Section 2: States that phase II projects shall number no more than 20 and at locations determined by the city school district and approved by the JSCB. The maximum total cost shall be no more than $300 million.

Section 3: Lays out the process by which phase II projects and project borrowing shall be approved. This includes the creation and approval of a comprehensive plan, selection and approval of individual projects, required public hearings and required approvals by the JSCB, city school district, city common council, and State Comptroller.

Section 4: Allows the JSCB upon receipt of plans and specifications for a project from the city to enter into contracts acting through the city's division of purchase and subject to the approval of the city's engineer and corporation counsel on behalf of the city or the city school district.

Section 5: Allows the JSCB to obtain professional services using the city's standard request for proposals.

Section 6: Allows the JSCB to extend the project labor agreement entered into for phase I into phase H projects.

Section 7: Amends the selection process and duties of the independent program manager.

Section 8: Sets provisions regarding the use of installment purchase contracts.

Section 9: Allows the city to issue bond anticipation notes to begin phase II projects in anticipation of State building aid.

Section 10: Provides that payment of debt service on bond anticipation notes for phase II shall not be considered when determining the "city amount" required pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of paragraph a of subdivision 5-b of 2576 of the education law.

Section 11: Allows the City of Syracuse Industrial Development Agency to refinance bond anticipation notes issued for phase II projects.

Section 12: Makes amendments to the JSCB's reporting requirements.

Section 13: Establishes the effective date and provides language to ensure that all actions and obligations of the phase I JSCB board remain in effect.

Justification

School buildings in the City of Syracuse are in serious need of repair and renovation. To this purpose chapter 58 of laws of 2006 was enacted to create the Syracuse Joint School Construction Board. Currently the Syracuse JSCB is in the middle of completing phase I construction projects. These are scheduled to be completed in the next couple of years. The goal is to then immediately begin phase II projects.

This legislation has been requested by the City of Syracuse and the Syracuse City School District in order to ensure a speedy and efficient transition from phase I to phase II. Specifically, this bill enacts changes to the current JSCB law to complete this goal. Most notably it changes the composition of the JSCB to ensure phase II projects are planned, reviewed, approved and implemented more efficiently. The legislation also includes changes to the approval and financing structure of the JSCB. The overall goal is to avoid issues that substantially delayed construction of phase I projects.

Additionally, this legislation authorizes the City of Syracuse to issue bond anticipation notes that will allow the City, the School District and the JSCB to get an early start on the planning, design and approval for phase II projects. This will allow phase II construction to begin soon after all phase I projects have been completed. This legislation is an important step in providing the children of the Syracuse City School district with safe and productive learning environments.

Legislative history

New Bill, amending chapter 58 of the laws of 2006

Fiscal impact

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.