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Propositions S & N Annual Report San Diego Community College District
Citizens’ Oversight Committee
A Message from the Chair It has been a year of virtually uninterrupted building for the San Diego Community College District’s $1.555 billion construction bond program. The District has expended over $710 million to date and completed more than 40 projects.
San Diego Miramar College Police Station On Track to Obtain a Prestigious LEED Platinum Certification San Diego Miramar College’s Police Station is on track to obtain a prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification – the highest green building certification possible and the first for an educational entity in San Diego County. The new substation is one of 30 LEEDcertified projects built or planned across the District.
An oversight committee like ours is required by law to be neutral and critical. Part of the job is to ask tough questions on behalf of taxpayers. As in past years, our committee members have done that. ked The Construction Subcommittee looked in-depth at change order practices, verifying, in its opinion, that the district is very careful when it deals with requests e for additional funds by contractors. The g subcommittee also reviewed building d designs and materials and was satisfied al that facilities are built to be first functional ly and efficient, and then aesthetically acceptable. Our Finance & Audit Subcommittee reviewed challenges caused by continued underfunding from the State, agreeing that the construction schedule should continue as planned to provide good value to taxpayers. Our Communications Subcommittee discussed and proposed oversight committee member recruitment concepts that would continue to provide quality oversight on behalf of taxpayers. Collectively, we asked the California High Speed Rail Authority to abandon a proposed route through Miramar College that would essentially destroy more than $350 million in voter-approved construction. (Read more on page 2) In addition, we can report the ninth consecutive year of clean audits and top bond ratings for the District, an affirmation that the SDCCD facilities department is efficiently managed. As always, our meetings are open to anyone interested in attending. Meeting details and documents are always available on the Propositions S and N website. We welcome and encourage your input. Sincerely,
George W. Hawkins
K Key to its sustainable design is the building’s xe x xeriscape landscaping, green roof and green ssc screen, which help insulate the facility from intense te temperatures, and help filter and retain storm water. The tower e element serves as a solar chimney which is a passive strategy to create a flow of natural ventilation. The top of the tower heats up, and louvers will provide for air exhaust at the high point. Inside the building, exposed concrete walls and ceilings create a thermal mass that stores heat during the day, and releases it at night to keep the building comfortable during operating hours. The police station will eventually use reclaimed water for flushing toilets and for all irrigation needs. The police station provides a y central hub for campus safety d and security, wayfinding and s parking permitting. It allows o college law enforcement to al promote and practice a dual s, mission to protect students, g staff and faculty, while being s. part of the education process. n “With all of the unique green features that went into this design, we can really showcase the campus and district priorities on environmental stewardship,” said Charlie Hogquist, SDCCD Police Chief. “When students and others come to the station, they will see drought-tolerant native plants which save water. They will see the innovative use of recycled materials used in the buildings. This will open a dialogue between officers and students which can lead to valuable crime prevention partnerships on campus.” View a video tour of the project at www.facebook.com/PropsSN