FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE

MINUTES

November 19, 2002

Members Present: P. Bylaska; D. Decker; T. Gusler; C. Heidler; S. Horch; D. Kahle; M. McConnell; M. Scovron; P. Therman; J. Thomas; L. Tripodi;

H. Tripp; R. Wilshire

Others Present: J. Conley; T. Fogarty; J. Massa; R. Pold; D. Tedjeske

I. Approval of Minutes - October 15, 2002

A. S. Horch made a motion that was seconded by H. Tripp to approve the minutes of the meeting of October 15, 2002 as submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

II. Old Business

A. Magnolia Project

· H. Tripp advised the committee on the progress of the Foundation's student housing project.

Ø The master plan for the project was approved by the Foundation Board on October 24. Drawings of the proposed layout of the project and the phasing of the project were shared with the group.

Ø Proposals were received from 6 development firms on October 25 and should be narrowed to 2 or 3 firms later this week when the Selection Committee meets. This committee consists of 6 Foundation Board Members, Dr. Reinhard and Dr. Grunenwald.

Ø Plans are to have a firm selected by early December with construction to begin in February.

Ø The complete design calls for a village concept with two story housing units, a dining facility, multipurpose community center that would include labs, meeting rooms, and a workout facility; a townhouse unit for faculty with 3-4 year leases; walking and bike trails; outdoor recreation areas and an outdoor amphitheater. The project is situated on a 69 acre tract.

Ø Phase 1 of the project will include housing units, four bedroom apartments, to accommodate 328 students and an outdoor recreation area. Phase 2 would be the remainder of the housing units and the dining facility. Phase 3 would be the faculty townhouses and amphitheater.

Ø The first phase will provide housing for students displaced by planned renovations to on-campus housing including use of Becht Hall for offices, conversion of Wilkinson and Nair to single units and much needed major renovations to Campbell and Ralston. Phase 2 would provide additional housing.

Ø The Master Plan project to place housing units along Wood Street will not be pursued. Plans changed with the Board of Governor's edict that the universities should pursue public/private partnerships to resolve housing concerns. At least 8 other System universities have completed or are in the process of constructing similar projects.

B. Carlson Bell Tower

· The Borough and DGS are in discussion regarding the Borough's request to remove the wall. DGS is recommending alternatives to address the safety needs of the area. P. Bylaska stressed that this is a DGS project which the University does not control until completion and departure of DGS and their contractor.

C. Recreation Center Chains

· Drawings have been completed and a request for quotes on implementing replacement of the chains has been issued.

D. Carter Seating

· The seating frames have been reinstalled and installation of the cushions is to begin next Monday.

E. Venango Turnaround & Pond

· Discussions on revisions to the turnaround project have been productive and redesign will proceed.

· The grant proposal for the study on the pond was submitted in mid-October with a decision expected in March. The sediment pond was dredged in the early 1980's. Neither the sediment pond nor the main pond has been dredged since that time to attempt to correct any current problems.

F. Chemical Storage

· P. Dalby was contacted concerning the memo he had forwarded in relation to discontinuing the use of environmentally unfriendly chemicals on campus. L. Tripodi and J. Conley are scheduled to meet with P. Dalby to further discuss the subject. P. Bylaska and J. Massa will be added to that meeting and results will be reported at the next meeting. More departments will be included in the discussion if a decision is made to proceed with development of a plan for chemical storage.

F. Safety Walk

· D. Tedjeske reported that the once-a-semester walk with members of Student

Senate identified concerns regarding exterior lighting in the area between the main highway and Peirce Science Center and the parking lot extending to Davis. Also mentioned was the lighting near Tippin and Siler Road. J. Conley and C. Heidler indicated they have already discussed plans to provide more lighting in the Tippin/Siler areas this summer. They are working on the Peirce situation but may want to postpone work in that area until the steam tunnel project is completed.

· The students appreciate the opportunity to discuss safety issues. They acknowledged that the crosswalk installed across 322 to the Wilkinson/Nair buildings is a big improvement.

G. Signs & Logos

· The final version of the logo will be delivered to C. Heidler this week for use on signs.

H. Stadium Renovations

· Funds have been allocated for the design of a project to renovate the locker rooms and address ADA access and seating concerns. It will be completed in conjunction with the deferred maintenance project to replace the roof at the facility.

III. New Business

A. Master Plan - PEC

· The President's Executive Council has reviewed the list of projects listed in the Master Plan. Only $200,000 was allocated for MP projects this year with $100,000 earmarked for renovations to Moore Hall, $75,000 for the Venango turnaround project and $25,000 for the sign project. The remaining one-time allocation of $500,000 was used to mitigate the University's shortfall for FY.

B. Deferred Maintenance

· PEC reviewed the list of deferred maintenance projects scheduled for FY03 and FY04 to determine their relative priorities for the university. No changes were made for FY03 and these projects will continue. FY04 projects and their funding are still under review by PEC before being returned to FPC for their discussion and recommendation.

· The committee was reminded that deferred maintenance projects are funded by Key 93 funds, which are the proceeds of the state's 1% transfer tax paid by landowners when a property is sold. The money is split between various state agencies. Since property sales can vary a great deal from year to year, there is no guarantee the University will continue to receive the same amount of funds from year to year.

C. Other

· The meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m.