FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE

MINUTES

January 22, 2004

Members Present: Paul Bylaska; Debra Decker; Curtis Foltz; Gail Grejda; Tom Gusler (by telephone); Clare Heidler; Scott Horch; Dana Kahle; Bernadette Krenzer; Michael McConnell; Chris Reber; Karen Smith; David Tedjeske; Lou Tripodi; Lisa Turner; Ron Wilshire

Others Present: Sarah Bower; Joe Brinkley; Diane Anderson-Brush; Jim Conley; Jeffrey Eicher; Tim Fogarty; John Massa; James Pesek; Steve Shaffer; David Tomeo

I. Approval of Minutes – November 20, 2003

1. Bernadette Krenzer made a motion that was seconded by Curtis Foltz to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 20, 2003 as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

2. The Committee was asked if they had any items to add to the agenda. There were no items added to the agenda.

3. Due to visitors being present to discuss the first item, New Business was moved for discussion to the beginning of the meeting.

II. New Business

1. Beta Gamma Sigma Key

· Sarah Bower, Jeff Eicher and James Pesek from the College of Business Administration asked the committee to consider placement of a monument type structure acknowledging the department’s membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society outside of Still Hall. Handouts showing an example of the type of structure to be installed and the area suggested for location were distributed. The location would be in front of the building under the lettering for the building name in the area where the dogwood tree was removed.

· Discussion included:

Ø The possibility of placing the key was introduced to FPC in April 2001. Questions were raised at that time regarding maintenance issues some of which are not longer applicable due to the removal of vegetation and mounds in front of the building. James Pesek added that no recommendation was made by the committee. The installation was not pursued due to lack of funding.

Ø Funding can now be confirmed with the department providing half of the estimated cost and students being challenged to match that amount.

Ø Bernadette Krenzer asked, given local weather conditions and effects on the installation, if consideration had been given to placing the key inside the building. Jeff Eicher responded that there is not enough space available to place the key in the lobby without causing safety or traffic problems.

Ø Gail Grejda expressed a concern that the committee may be setting a precedent in approving this installation. There are many honor societies across campus who could request similar consideration.

Ø Jeff Eicher emphasized that this honor designation was important to the business program and that such installations should be reviewed on a case by case basis when they occur.

Ø The sign could also be used to in relation to System recommendations for increasing signage that would emphasize our link with the State System.

Ø The sign is only available in the standard size indicated and is not adaptable to wall mounting.

Ø If anyone has any questions regarding the key they should address them to Jeff Eicher.

· Paul Bylaska indicated that he would research the history and implications of installing the sign between now and the next meeting.

2. Electrical Load Shedding Plan

· Clare Heidler reported on meetings he has been involved in regarding the possibility of receiving payments from the power company by allowing them to request the university to shed load when demand is high. This would involve the university limiting its electrical use and is possible at times when our demand is low. Our normal cost per kilowatt hour is 3-4 cents but this raises with demand. If we shed load, the power company would pay us pay us a premium for decreasing our power consumption.

· Other cost saving measures such as cogeneration, producing steam and electricity at same time, and peak shaving, cutting cost in peak months, are more complicated and not being pursued.

· Clare Heidler will report to committee as he continues to research this possibility.

III. Old Business

1. Reinhard Villages

· Dave Tomeo reported that several of the buildings are under roof and the area can be viewed from Chandler Dining Hall. Marketing efforts are underway and brochures will be distributed in the next couple months. The facilities should be ready for viewing by April 1^st.

· Chris Reber indicated he would be representing the Venango campus at FPC until a replacement is found for Kim Price. He announced that a one million dollar donation had been received for the project to build residence buildings at Venango campus which brings the total amount donated for that project to $2.1 million. Plans are to build four 2-story buildings and three 3-story buildings on a 2 ½ acre lot that has been purchased by the Foundation across the street from campus. Two of the 2-story buildings should be completed by Fall 2004 to house 32 students. One of the 3-story buildings should be completed by Fall 2005 for another 24 students. The total project will provide 136 beds.

2. Venango Pond

· Chris Reber reported that the comprehensive study leading to a design build concept is ready to begin as soon as the DNRC approves Baker Associates as the design firm. This study should result in a recommendation for repair of the pond with estimated cost. It is hoped that another grant will be secured from DNRC for at least half of the cost with the remainder being funded by the university and local funding. Local funding refers to donations from area companies or individuals. The community has used this area in the past and is concerned with its upkeep. It would be in the university’s best interest from a community relations standpoint to proceed with the repair.

3. Signs

· The project is complete except for entrance sign at Venango and directional signs that required correction. A sign will be placed at Wilson Avenue directing to Gemmell Student Center.

· Diane Anderson-Busch inquired as to the possibility of replacing the sign on the building which indicates Reimer. With the closing of Payne and visitors entering from Wilson, there is no identification of the building as Gemmell Student Complex on that side of the building which causes confusion. There is a separate sign that will be placed in front of the building that may help with the situation. This problem will be taken into consideration in the future, however building designations such as those on the buildings themselves were outside the scope of this project.

4. Master Plan Update

· Lou Tripodi summarized some of the issues that were discussed at the Master Plan Subcommittee meeting on January 15. The minutes of that meeting are available on the web site. The next meeting will be at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 27.

· Chris Reber indicated that there is a separate Venango Master Plan and that the committee that is working on a strategic plan for Venango is reviewing Venango’s Master Plan as part of the process. A report on their recommendations for changes to that plan will be shared with the Master Plan Subcommittee

5. Key 93 Update

· Clare Heidler asked that the committee consider approval of the list distributed at the meeting of November 20.

· Michael McConnell moved that the Key ’98 Deferred Maintenance Projects for Fiscal Year 2004-05 by approved as submitted. The motion was seconded by Bernadette Krenzer.

Ø Discussion: Tom Gusler asked if the list had been reviewed by Dean’s Council. Gail Grejda indicated that the group had addressed the list and agreed that the projects recommended as top priorities were acceptable. This discussion is contained in the minutes of the meeting but no formal recommendation was forwarded. It was also confirmed that projects nominated by the Dean’s Council over the last 18 months were included in this list.

The motion as presented was approved unanimously by the Committee.

6. Steam Tunnel

· The project is complete. Materials are on hand for the benches to be installed in place of vent pipes and this will occur when weather permits.

· Joe Brinkley was commended for his diligence in bringing this project in ahead of schedule.

7. Ralston

· Plans for occupying the first floor are in progress.

8. 959 Corbett

· Rather than renting the facility as originally planned, the University will now use the building for a different education-related purpose.

9. Alumni/Advancement Building

· The building permit has been received and plans for construction are ongoing. The committee was reminded that half of the cost will be funded by the Foundation and half by the university.

The meeting was adjourned at 4.45 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on February 19.