BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2006

 

Mr. Rosario Amato, chairman, called the meeting of the Board Facilities Committee to order at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2006, in the Dining Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Charlene Koch, Joseph Craig, Diane Rowe, Margaret Williams, Dr. Craig Haytmanek, Loretta Leeson, Judith Dexter, William Heske, and Rosario Amato. Also present were Dr. Joseph A. Lewis, superintendent of schools, Robert R. Gross III, assistant superintendent for human resources, Stanley J. Majewski Jr., assistant superintendent for finance and administration, Scott Gilliland, director of facilities and operations, Robin L. Lutcher, director of information technologies, Dr. Dean M. Donaher, principal, Liberty High School, Joseph G. Santoro, principal, Broughal Middle School, Arif Fazil, district engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.), Robert Furst, principal architect, Arthiture Furst, and representatives from the press.

 

The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

None

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR SEPTEMBER 25, 2006, BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee unanimously agreed to bring the following agenda items to the September 25, 2006, Regular Board Meeting:

 

A.    Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Construction Project - PlanCon Part I Approvals                                                                                                                 

B.    Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds - Freedom High School Additions Project - Change Order

C.    Freedom High School Additions Project - PlanCon Part I

Submittal

D.   Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds - Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Project - Change Order

E.    Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Construction Project – PlanCon Part I Submittal

F. Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds - New

Broughal Middle School - Incidental Fees and Charges

G. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds - Flooring

Replacement - Asa Packer Elementary School - Change Order

Deduct

H. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds - Library Ceiling

Repairs - East Hills Middle School - Change Order Deduct

 

 

 

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

1.   Mr. Gilliland reviewed with the board the annual Maintenance Report for 2006 (handout) which included summaries of construction/renovation projects, building work orders, preventative maintenance programs, routine summer maintenance, and environmental safety services.

2.   Mr. Gilliland deferred comments on the Construction Projects Updates to Mr. Fazil who conducted a PowerPoint presentation with photographs and reported on the summer projects which included the following:

– Roof Replacements at Nitschmann Middle School, Fountain Hill Elementary School,
etc.
– Calypso Fuel Line and Fountain Hill HVAC
– Asa Packer Floor Replacement
– Masonry Repairs at Various Buildings
– Freedom High School Stage Rigging
– East Hills Library Ceiling Tile Repairs
– Nitschmann Middle School Electrical Work
– Freedom Information Technologies Office Fit Out

3.   Mr. Fazil explained pictures related to Agenda Item B, Freedom High School’s Change Order, which requests board approval for the moving of the electrical switchgear located in a room under the swimming pool. Mr. Fazil indicated that the current switchgear is not tied to the emergency generator, is located in a very corrosive environment, and is forty years old. The proposed move will place the switchgear in a more suitable environment and tie in to the emergency power systems.

Mr. Fazil also contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s staff architect and was granted approval for this project as a change order for the Freedom High School project. He indicated that he contacted two electrical contractors currently working on the site. Albarell Electric’s proposal was substantially less due to the fact that they are currently fully mobilized on the site. The alternative would have been to bid the work separately. Mr. Fazil stated that this would have been less expeditious and would possibly cost the district more money.

4.   Mr. Fazil also discussed Agenda Item D, which requests a change order for additional micro piles and soil nails. These measures are needed to provide for soil stability and existing foundation supports in preparation for the required thirty-foot excavation for the pool.

Mr. Fazil reported that after demolition of the old gym and pool area, they uncovered conditions that require extending of the micro piles and soil nail walls as well as hand work around existing pile supports to prevent undermining of the existing building supports.

Dr. Lewis noted that it was fortunate that 75 percent of the work had been predicted from early investigation and the cost of the change order is reduced because the contractor and specialty equipment is mobilized.


Mr. Jim Hanna stated that the compaction grouting is proceeding much faster with the delivery of a bigger drill rig.

Mr. Craig shared with the board that the Commons Building was built in 1922 and that the Memorial Gymnasium was built in the 1950’s. He stated that there was a difference in the way it was constructed due to the fact that the original site was once a swamp. He stated that he witnessed at least four sinkholes in the history of his career as a teacher and athletic director.

Mrs. Leeson asked Mr. Fazil and Mr. Hanna if we were relatively on schedule at this time. Mr. Fazil responded that Freedom High School is ahead of schedule and Liberty High School is right on schedule.

5.   Mr. Fazil presented the findings of the geotechnical survey of the site of the proposed new Broughal Middle School. He displayed pictures of test pits which revealed old foundations of homes along Martel Street and reinforcing bars which were part of an old high school previously located on this site. Mr. Fazil noted that as a result of these conditions 27,000 cubic yards of material must be removed from this area resulting in approximately $500,000 in additional costs for the project. Mr. Steven Antalics shared his memory of an old “ship building” which was located on this property as well as a portion of Lehigh University’s parking area.

Mr. Fazil explained the handout of the current LEED scorecard for the proposed Broughal Middle School and reported on the progress being made. The delighting and energy modeling analysis is being incorporated into the design. Mr. Fazil noted that we must be cautious of costs, for example, bike racks give you a point just as an expensive green roof gives you a point.

Mrs. Leeson shared her exuberation of being so close to gold certification. She asked if Mr. Gilliland and Mr. Fazil were familiar with the new LEED certified gymnasium at Haverford College. They replied they had already been on a site visit to Haverford College.

6.   Mr. Fazil recognized members of the design team for their hard work over the summer. Mr. Fazil thanked Mr. Javier Toro, community representative, for his dedication and hard work as well. Mr. Furst utilized a PowerPoint presentation to highlight finalized building floor plans and progress of building elevations. Also included were views of the family center entrance on Morton Street, window configurations, and the gateway arches on Packer Avenue.

Mr. Furst discussed the use of rainwater harvesting for use in lavatories and for the irrigation of the athletic field. He stated that these features would net nine LEED points while serving as an exceptional learning tool for the students.

Mr. Furst and Mr. Fazil explained how green roofs are like lawns in trays. They stated they require very low maintenance. Mr. Fazil noted that conventional roofing deteriorates due to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. A green roof blocks these rays thus prolonging the life of the roof.


Mrs. Dexter asked if any of the windows were designed to open. Mr. Furst responded yes and referred to the windows depicted in the elevations. Mr. Amato asked why windows needed to have operational panels. Mr. Furst and Mr. Fazil explained that operational windows are awarded points for LEED certification.

Mr. Heske inquired as to whether provisions had been made for contractor parking. Mr. Fazil indicated that we have been working with the City of Bethlehem and Lehigh University on possible sites. Lehigh has offered spaces for staff parking. The district is investigating the possible use of a vacant lot owned by J.G. Petrucci, which is adjacent to the Perkins Restaurant. This lot is in close proximity to the site and would be suitable for contractor parking. Dr Lewis shared that he is optimistic that we may secure its use.

7.   Mrs. Lutcher gave a PowerPoint presentation on the summer technologies projects which have been implemented throughout the district. She reviewed staff development, and work conducted at elementary, middle, and high schools. Projects included new telephone systems at the Regional Academic Standards Academy, the Career Academy, the Monocacy building, and district wide updates. She also shared that we now have the capability on eSchoolPlus to see attendance right away along with the demographic information of the students. The health record will be implemented next school year.

Mrs. Leeson thanked Mrs. Lutcher for her efforts, the schedulers at the high school, and Marie Bachman for getting the schedules of students ready for the first day of school. Mrs. Lutcher thanked Mrs. Leeson for the recognition and attributed it to lots of teamwork from all involved.

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

None

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 9:24 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

_____________________________________________

Joanne Carraghan, Secretary to the Director of Facilities and Operations

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations