BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2006

Members of the Board Facilities Committee met on Tuesday, April 18, at 7:45 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Charlene Koch, Diane Rowe, Judith A. Dexter, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, Rosario Amato, Margaret Williams and Joseph Craig. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools, Stanley J. Majewski Jr., assistant to the superintendent for finance and administration, Scott Gilliland, director of facilities and operations, Joseph Santoro, principal, Broughal Middle School, Jeff Tucker, solicitor, Arif Fazil, district engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.), Robert Furst, principal architect from Architecture Furst and representatives from the press.

 

The meeting of the Board Facilities Committee was called to order at 7:58 p.m. by Mr. Amato, chairman. The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

None

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR APRIL 24, 2006, BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the April 24, 2006, Regular Board Meeting:

 

A.    Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Construction Project – PlanCon Part I Approval

B.    Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Repairs and Maintenance for Specific Wall Conditions – Freedom High School, Farmersville, Fountain Hill, Governor Wolf, Hanover, Lincoln, Marvine, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary Schools – Change Order Deduct

C.  Quotations for the $4,000-$10,000 Cost Category

D. District Wide Facility Study

E. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Stage Rigging Replacement – Freedom High School – Change Order

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

Dr. Lewis discussed with the board a Chronology of Broughal Planning Meetings. He recapped the meetings and discussion topics. He thanked the Broughal Coalition for there efforts in this continuing process.

 

Mr. Arif Fazil reviewed the Milestone Schedule Handout which indicated important start and finish dates for events related to the New Broughal Middle School Project. Mr. Fazil stressed the importance of adherence to these time lines to keep the project on schedule.

 

Mr. Fazil presented a site plan of the existing parking layout which contained 56 spaces.

Mr. Joseph Santoro confirmed the need for a minimum of 86 spaces based on a student enrollment of 650. An enrollment of 900 could project the need for 123 spaces. Mr. Fazil presented a plan for an underground parking deck of 84 spaces in conjunction with a surface parking deck which would increase parking to 134 spaces overall.

Mr. Joseph Craig commented that he liked the idea of the parking deck. He thought it was innovative and works well in other places. He referenced William Allen High School in Allentown, Pennsylvania which has had a parking deck underneath their gymnasium since the early 1970’s. He stated that from his personal experience it works very well. Most of the board members liked the idea but wanted to make sure security and safety were addressed.

 

Mr. Robert Furst utilized a power point presentation to display the detailed floor plan of the New Broughal Middle School. He noted that the original plan has not really changed except for minor changes based on input from the design team. He also noted how the team is working on improving the efficiency for costs e.g. the bathrooms at the gym area have been combined to provide dual use for the classroom area. Also, this saves cost for the bathrooms and provides more usable gym space. Mr. Furst’s plan included possibilities for future expansion on the fourth floor. He and Mr. Fazil emphasized that if this were to be an option it must be done during initial construction and will be bid as an alternate. Mr. Furst also noted that the gym bleachers have seating for approximately 900 and the auditorium has seating for approximately 800 seats.

 

Mrs. Leeson and Mrs. Dexter asked if the plan should relocate some of the administration away from the front entrance and into the classroom area. Mr. Santoro felt that this would compromise security and wasn’t sure that it would help since the staff is often in the rest of the building anyway and the building is four (4) storeys. Mr. Amato asked the administration to consider this and decide what was best.

 

Mr. Fazil discussed the concept of Leadership Environmental Energy Design Certification and referenced LEED-NC Version 2.2 Registered Project Checklist. He stated that 38 points were needed to obtain the minimum silver certification. Mr. Fazil referenced funding options of LEED Certification which included Pennsylvania Department of Education reimbursement estimates, consultant fees and commissioning fees. Estimated annual savings utilizing this technology ranged from $0.12 to $0.15 per square foot.

 

Dr. Craig Haytmanek read a letter from Jeanette McDonald, Secretary, Southside Bethlehem Historical Society. The society requested that the district preserve as much of the building artifacts as possible.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Gilliland presented a photographic record of Broughal artifacts recommended for relocation or replication in the new building. These artifacts were surveyed by Mr. Joseph Santoro, Mr. Scott Gilliland and members of D’Huy Engineering Incorporated and Architecture Furst on March 9, 2006 and by members of the Broughal Coalition on April 11, 2006. Mr. Gilliland stated that additional recommendations from the Broughal Coalition will be discussed at future planning meetings.

 

Dr. Lewis and Mr. Fazil reviewed the Project Budget Summary for the Broughal Project. This summary included cost estimates for construction, parking solutions, alternate bids for cost control, LEED certification estimates and inflation contingencies. The board agreed with pursuing the alternate bid items listed.

 

Six handouts were offered to the board for their records.

 

1. Milestone Schedule

2. Existing/Proposed Parking Deck Proposal

3. Architectural Furst Floor Plans

4. Leadership in Environmental Energy Design (LEED-NC)

5. Photographic Record Document

6. Project Budget Summary – Estimates

 

Dr. Lewis asked Chairman Mr. Rosario Amato for authorization to pursue LEED certification in the design process of the building. Members unanimously supported this request. Dr. Lewis similarly asked for authorization to proceed with the design of an underground parking lot. His request was approved by five board members. Three board members stated they needed further study of the options in order to support the plan. Dr. Lewis noted that the administration had exhausted other feasible options at this time.

 

The final schematic plans will be presented for approval at the May 1, 2006 facilities meeting.

 

Dr. Lewis thanked everyone for their efforts tonight.

 

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

None

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:00 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

_____________________________________________

Joanne Carraghan, secretary to the director of facilities and operations

 

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations