BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD FACILITIES COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2006

 

Mr. Rosario Amato, chairman, called the meeting of the Board Facilities Committee to order at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2006, in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at the Education Center. Present were School Board Members Charlene Koch, 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, 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; Arif Fazil, district engineer (D’Huy Engineering, Inc.); Robert Furst, principal architect, Architecture Furst; and representatives from the press.

 

The following items were discussed:

 

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR TO VISITORS –

 

Dr. Arthur Scott, president of Northampton Community College, offered a budget presentation for the upcoming 2007-2008 school year. In 2005-2006, 7000 students attended Northampton Community College. Currently, enrollment is at 9,500 credit students. That figure represents students from 56 counties in Pennsylvania, 31 states, and 41 countries. Their figures indicate that one in four students attending their school resides in Northampton County. The new Southside Center is receiving $5 million in state funding. Two million dollars has already been disbursed. Two floors of the new facility are completed, and 1400 students are already attending the facility. Bethlehem Area School District’s contribution to the 2007-2008 budget is set at $56,572. This

represents a 3.06 percent increase, which is consistent with past practice based on a five- year average.

 

AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NOVEMBER 20, 2006, BOARD MEETING –

 

After discussion, the board committee agreed to bring the following agenda items to the November 20, 2006, Regular Board Meeting:

 

            A. Freedom High School Additions Construction Project – Plan Con I Approvals               

            B. Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Construction Project – Plan Con I       

       Approvals

 

 

 

 

 

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November 6, 2006

Page 2

 

            C. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Bids Opened October 25, 2006 –

Sanitary Line and Grease Interceptor Relocation – Donegan Elementary School

D. Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds – Bids Opened November 2,                            

2006– Ornamental Masonry Removal – Broughal Middle School

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

Change Order Deduct

F. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – HVAC Replacement at Fountain Hill

Elementary School and Modifications to Fuel Line at Calypso Elementary School -

Change Order Deduct

G. Authorization to Expend 2001 Bond Funds – Roof Replacement and Miscellaneous

Repairs – Fountain Hill Elementary School – Change Order Deduct

                              H. Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds – Liberty High School – Change

Order

            I. Liberty High School Additions and Renovations Construction Project –

PlanCon I Submittal

                              J. Authorization to Expend 2005 and 2007 Bond Funds – Freedom High School –

Change Order

K. Freedom High School Additions Construction Project – PlanCon I Submittal

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS –

 

Mr. Amato asked why the grease trap at Donegan Elementary School was being relocated. Mr. Fazil explained that at the time it was a code requirement to connect the dishwasher directly to the grease trap, however, it is no longer a code requirement. He further stated that the grease is emulsifying with hot water and bypassing the grease trap. The grease is coagulating in various pipes resulting in a vapor and odor that is permeating the building. This situation is further complicated because the building is situated on a slope, and the fumes cannot naturally escape as they should.

 

Mrs. Williams acknowledged the reason why this work is necessary.

 

Mr. Fazil discussed the Broughal Artifacts handout and the bids received for salvaging various brownstone pieces. He indicated that brownstone blocks, keystones, a date stone, the brownstone school name, and items from the balcony, top rail, ballast, and corner posts are included in the base artifact removal bid. These items, if successfully removed, will be relocated and incorporated in the new building. These are all items from the previously approved.

 

Dr. Lewis noted that if the artifacts are unable to be removed in one piece, extraction would be halted and remaining monies in the contract would be credited to the district.

 

 

 

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November 6, 2006

Page 3

 

Mr. Spadafora reviewed his reference check of the low bid contractor. Some of his projects are the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex building in Harrisburg, the State

Capitol building in Harrisburg, and one high school in Reading, Pennsylvania. All three references were positive.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked Dr. Lewis and Mr. Gilliland to please make sure the Southside Committee is aware of the scope of work and costs, and requested their input.

 

Mr. Gilliland was instructed by Dr. Lewis to meet with Javier Toro to discuss the proposed alternate bids and to discuss the Broughal Coalition’s feelings on whether these artifacts should be restored or replicated.

 

Mr. Heske reminded the board that at Calypso Elementary School we were successful in completing a similar task. Mr. Fazil agreed; however, he stated that the Calypso project involved limestone which is easier to salvage than brownstone. He stated that brownstone is crumbly in nature.

 

Mr. Furst reviewed the plans for Broughal Middle School with the board members. He reviewed floor plans for all four floors of the building and the site plan. He showed views of the green vegetated roof and discussed solar shading on the south walls. Mr. Furst noted that the shading will provide needed sunlight for the winter months while limiting direct sunlight during the warmer months. He showed views from the cafeteria and media center looking outside to the green space and presented the north and south building elevations as well.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked Mr. Furst if the south facing wall screening device was like a blind. He explained that it is like an aluminum hood with a series of slats and extends out approximately two to three feet with approximately 16 tiers.

 

Mr. Furst reported that most of the systems are being designed and finalized. District staff are planning a site visit to a manufacturing facility to review and finalize the requirements for the proposed planetarium.

 

Mr. Fazil reviewed a handout from the October 2006 edition of the “Construction Specifier” which listed the current inflationary trends in the construction market. He reported the concern that we all have regarding the possible effect of inflation on the Broughal project, and that we may need to account for this when bids are received.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked Mr. Fazil to clarify the cost of the recently completed Northeast Middle School to the proposed Broughal costs. Northeast cost was approximately $32 million compared to $46 million for the new Broughal. Mr. Fazil reminded Mrs. Leeson that bids for Northeast came in over four years ago.

 

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November 6, 2006

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Mr. Fazil stated that unfortunately the increased costs of construction, especially in our area, have been excessive and some of it is not explainable. Mr. Majewski noted that some of the variables affecting the Broughal costs are the asbestos abatement, demolition of the building, field construction, and parking garage construction.

 

Mrs. Koch asked if the prevailing wage has increased. Mr. Fazil responded yes.

 

Mr. Fazil presented an update on the Freedom and Liberty projects. He discussed the rationale of eliminating the two existing dishwashing rooms, and constructing a single dishwashing room adjacent to the kitchen as a replacement. Mr. Fazil noted that the current dishwashers are 40 years old, and age and reliability are of concern. This change would also create more seating space for 100 or more students for lunch. The work would include selective demolition, new walls, ceiling tiles, and floor finishes.

 

Mrs. Dexter asked why this was being presented as a change order. Mr. Fazil explained that it was strictly a budget issue during the design three years ago. At the time, the design team was worried about containing costs especially with the inflation concerns.

 

Mr. Amato expressed his concern regarding the number of change orders at Liberty High School.

 

Mr. Fazil reviewed every one of the change orders recommended for approval. Mr. Amato asked why the window insulation was not previously included. Mr. Fazil stated that it was assumed that insulation was installed in the 1970’s when the windows were replaced.

 

Mrs. Dexter asked Mr. Fazil what other items could be potential change orders. Mr. Fazil said that there are some major portions of work remaining such as connecting into the Commons and Memorial Gymnasium with the new Student Activity Building and renovation work in the Kline Classroom Center.

 

Mrs. Dexter asked if all the recommended items need to be completed. Mr. Fazil noted that he believes they should be done while the area is under construction and that the items are not simply aesthetic in nature.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked how much contingency was remaining. Mr. Fazil reported that it was approximately $400,000.

 

Mr. Gilliland and Dr. Lewis shared with the committee members a Climate Protection

Agreement prepared by the Alliance for Sustainable Communities. Dr. Lewis introduced Dr. Peter Crownfield, who gave a brief introduction regarding his group’s mission and their initiatives relative to climate protection. He noted that the mayors of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton as well as the two county executives of Lehigh and Northampton

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November 6, 2006

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Counties have signed similar agreements. Bethlehem Area School District is the first area school district to consider such an agreement. Dr. Crownfield noted that our school district is currently being energy-efficient by purchasing Energy Star equipment and appliances for school use and supporting a LEED certification program for the construction of the new Broughal Middle School. Mr. Gilliland noted that the district is making strides in all areas of energy efficiency.

 

Dr. Lewis asked the board to consider this proposal at the December 11, 2006, Regular Board meeting. The board agreed.

 

OPEN FORUM –

 

Mrs. Leeson had expressed concern relative to the scoreboard at the Bethlehem Area School District Stadium. She expressed concern relative to the letter size of “Frank Banko Field” as compared to “Bethlehem Area School District Stadium.”

 

Dr. Lewis noted that the field name and stadium name were placed on the new scoreboard through a business partnership with Coca-Cola Bottling Company. He stated that if anyone felt that the signage was inappropriately scaled he apologizes. He agreed to take corrective action if the board felt that was appropriate. The majority of the board felt that no action was necessary at this time.

 

Mrs. Leeson stated that the bonfire held at Freedom for the Liberty/Freedom football game was a huge success. She especially commended the events organization and student behavior.

 

Mrs. Leeson asked if a curriculum meeting could be conducted for the month of December. Dr. Lewis will see that an update is incorporated in the regular board mailing in December.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:00 p.m.

 

Minutes prepared by:

 

_____________________________________________

Joanne Carraghan, Secretary to the Director of Facilities and Operations

 

_____________________________________________

Scott T. Gilliland, Director of Facilities and Operations