BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2004
Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Monday, September 13, 2004, at 6:15 p.m., in the SuperintendentÕs Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were school board members William Heske, Joseph Craig, Loretta Leeson, Julie Venanzi, Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, and Margaret Williams. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools, Michele Kostem, associate superintendent, Stanley Majewski, director of business affairs, Mark Ortwein and Charlie Shoemaker of Spillman Farmer Architects, Edward Balsavage of Advantage Engineering, Monty Perfetti, director of operations, planning, and special programs, Arif Fazil, district engineer (DÕHuy Engineering, Inc.), and representatives from the press.
The meeting of the Board Facilities Committee was called to order at 6:15 p.m., by Mr. Heske, Chairman.
The following items were discussed:
1. Open
Forum Ð No discussion.
2. Agenda Items
A. September 27, 2004, Regular Board Meeting Agenda Items
- After discussion, the board unanimously agreed to
bring the following agenda items
to the September 27, 2004, Regular Board Meeting for approval:
1. New Northeast Middle School Construction Project Ð PlanCon Part I Approval
2. Freedom High School Additions Ð PlanCon D and E Submittals
3. Liberty High School Additions and RenovationsÐ PlanCon D and E Submittals
4.
Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds Ð Bids Opened September 22,
2004 Ð Card Access and Fire Alarm System Ð Education Center
5. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds Ð Repairs and Replacement of Windows Ð Asa Packer Elementary School Ð Change Order Deduct
6.
Quotations for the $4,000-$10,000 Cost Category
A.
Projects in Design Update
- Education Center Fire Alarm System and Card Access is out for bid.
B.
New Northeast Middle School Update
- The Board of School Directors had a tour of the project at 5:00 p.m. The
project is on
schedule to be completed by June 2005.
C. Projects in Construction Update - All summer projects are substantially complete.
Freedom
High School Addition Update
¥ Mr. Fazil reported that the brick sample panel of
the light and dark brick was installed on the patio adjacent to the auditorium
for final review by the board. Mr. Furst had noted that both could be developed
to fit well with the addition, and it was really a matter of the districtÕs
preference. The board could not determine that one was better than the other.
Mr. Fazil recommended that the bricks be bid as base bid and alternate bid.
This will ensure competition between the manufacturers. Once the bids are
received, the prices may dictate the option. The board concurred with this
direction.
á Mr. Fazil reported that we are scheduled to review the plans with Bethlehem Township again on September 20 and 27, 2004. Dr. Lewis noted that it appears as though we are working collaboratively with the township.
á
A slide presentation was reviewed
of the geotechnical findings. Mr. Fazil reported that, as with all of the
projects, once the elevations of the various floors, foundations, and footprint
of the buildings are determined, a geotechnical investigation is performed. For
the planned new construction areas, 42 test borings were performed in the areas
where the buildings are being demolished and new, more efficient program spaces
are being constructed. Many of these borings were actually inside the existing
building portion to be demolished, including the pool area and adjacent to
Memorial Gym. We also performed test pits adjacent to the new pool excavation
to review the conditions and develop a design for underpinning the existing
building foundation in this area.
á
The geotechnical investigation
provided us with information that defined that the subsurface conditions needed
to be improved or the deep foundation options should be considered for the new
buildings. The design team immediately reviewed the alternatives, even drastic
ones, such as possibly constructing the new buildings on other portions of the
site but this was discounted as being impractical and not efficient from both
mechanical and program standpoints.
á
In addition, the site has had some
previous history of sinkholes. In 1978, a large sinkhole opened up in the
driveway adjacent to the Lab Center. An extensive grouting program was
undertaken at the time, the Lab Center was vacated and repairs were made. The
cost was approximately $225,000 in 1978.
á
Mr. Edward Balsavage, the
geotechnical engineer, reviewed the findings including two cross sections of
the subsurface profiles and discussed the two possible solutions studied to
stabilize the subgrade and address the foundations for the new building. The
options evaluated were micropiles and compaction grouting. The attached summary
of advantages and disadvantages was reviewed by Mr. Fazil, and the
recommendation to use compaction grouting at an estimated cost of $2.3 million
was reviewed and accepted by the board. Mr. Fazil and Mr. Balsavage indicated
that the estimates were conservative and that the competitive bidding will
likely reduce the unit costs for the work. (Attachment)
á
Dr. Lewis also noted that there is
a $4 million project contingency for Liberty High School and $1.4 million left
in the Northeast Middle School contingency. Mr. Craig noted that the district
has no other option but to proceed, and we want to make sure the projectÕs
integrity and scope is not jeopardized. The Board Facilities Committee
acknowledged the importance of doing the project the right way.
á
Mrs. Koch asked a question about
the cost of grouting not exceeding the cost of micropiles, since the grout
quantities cannot be precisely determined. Mr. Fazil stated that the grouting
estimate was conservative and was based on a complete 10 feet on center grid
with drilling at each of the 833 holes extending 25 feet and with 6 cubic feet
of grout included for each foot of grout hole. This is a conservative estimate
and probably will not cost as much as compared to the micropiles. In addition,
the pricing of the grouting will be competitive since there are more
contractors that perform this work than the micropiles.
á
Mrs. Williams asked if the noise
from drilling the grout holes will be an issue. Mr. Balsavage noted that it
should not be any more of an inconvenience than the demolition, excavations,
steel work and other typical construction activities.
á
Mrs. Williams also asked if there
is less likelihood of sinkholes once a building is under roof. Mr. Balsavage
responded by saying this was correct since keeping water away from the areas
does reduce the potential for sinkholes; however, it does not eliminate them.
In the area of our proposed building, there are also unsuitable clays that will
cause differential settlement.
á
Mrs. Leeson asked if the leaks
from the pool were the cause of the problems. Mr. Balsavage noted that the pool
leakage probably contributed to some of the isolated problems, but the ground
problems are more of a geologic concern.
á
Mrs. Leeson asked if there was any
concern with any of the other buildings. Mr. Balsavage noted that the
subsurface conditions at the other buildings had not been reviewed and should
be reviewed if there are any conditions that showed possible settlement or
sinkhole activity. However, there is currently no visible or reported signs to
point to any concern.
2.
Site Plan Review
á Mr. Ortwein reviewed the planned site improvements on the slide presentation. Mr. Ortwein described the reconstruction plan including:
a. The granite steps which have shifted and are moved will be reused and reset in new concrete wherever feasible.
b. The six inch step at the main entrance doors will be eliminated by reconstructing the deteriorated concrete and raising it six inches for ADA compliance.
c. A new five foot wide access ramp to the right of the front entrance will provide access to the front entry from the street level.
d. The main entry steps will be reconstructed without the intermediate concrete pillars.
e. The landscaping at the front is still being developed.
f. The existing handrails will be reused wherever feasible, and new handrails will be installed to match.
g.
Along the south side of the
Commons Building, trees and lights will be spaced along the walkway leading to
the Memorial Gym, and similar trees and lights will be used along the north
side walkway also.
h. The driveway along the tennis courts will be reconstructed with a new drop off and a 40-car parking lot adjacent to the new student activity entrance. This reduces the football practice field area to a maximum length of 90 yards. This is a good compromise to maintaining a drop-off point at the activity center entrance.
i. Mr. Fazil also noted that since the football practice field will be used for construction staging for the three years of construction, it will be better to create a construction entrance directly onto the field from Fairview Street. This will provide a major access point for demolition, concrete, steel, and other construction vehicles. It will also help reduce the mixing of construction traffic with student and teacher traffic. The board agreed with this idea, and it will be pursued with the City of Bethlehem in conjunction with the possible angle parking along Grenadier Boulevard.
j. The new service area in the courtyard between the Lab Center and Commons Building will be separated with trees and a fence.
k. The light fixture type which is Hollphane Washington Series, similar to the ones used on the south side, will be used.
3. PHMC Letter Review
á
Mr. Fazil reviewed the attached
letter from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMS) which
states they do not require a review of the planned building renovations;
however, any changes may affect future recognition of the building as a
historic structure. (Attachment)
Other
1. Hanover
Elementary School Enrollment Update
Mrs. Kostem reviewed the attached handout of enrollment numbers and stated that, based on the reduced enrollment at other schools, the district is reviewing redistricting boundary lines in lieu of building new classrooms at Hanover. A report on this plan will be presented at the September 20, 2004, Board Human Resources Committee Meeting. Mrs. Leeson requested that consideration be given to any potential development that might occur in Hanover Township. Mrs. Kostem confirmed that this will be considered, and Dr. Lewis also noted that the redistricting will not create pocket areas. (Attachment)
2. Mrs. Leeson asked that the status of the vacant gas station property at the corner of Linden Street and Elizabeth Avenue which is sitting vacant be investigated.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:15 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Arif Fazil, district engineer, DÕHuy Engineering, Inc.,
and Monty Perfetti, director of operations, planning and special programs.
_________________________________________________________
Monty Perfetti, Director of Operations, Planning and Special Programs
_________________________________________________________
Arif Fazil, District Engineer, DÕHuy Engineering, Inc.
Attachments