FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

MINUTES

 

April 24, 2008

 

Members Present:  Jon Beal; Paul Bylaska; Susan Courson; Deb Fleeger; Jack Hubauer; Michael McConnell; Dustin McElhattan; Glen Reid; Erin Schuetz; Jim Stockman; Dave Tomeo

 

Others Present:  Dave Fagan; Dave Hartley; Rein Pold

 

I.               Approval of Minutes – March 27, 2008

 

A motion was made by Michael McConnell and seconded by Susan Courson to approve the minutes of March 27, 2008 as presented.  The motion passed.

 

II.               Additional Agenda Items

 

1.        Paul Bylaska introduced Glen Reid as the new director of Public Safety.

2.        Jon Beal asked for additional items to the agenda of which there were none.

 

III.       Old Business

 

1.      Venango Projects

 

a)    Pond - Dave Fagan reported that a job conference was held yesterday on the Venango pond.  The contractor is expected to start the project the week of May 5^th.  The contractor has been asked to provide the cost of a serpentine walkway should funding be available.  Construction for the pond is not expected to interfere with graduation activities. 

 

b)   Rhoades Hall - The bids are now in for the Rhoades Hall project and will be reviewed to determine the accepted bid.  Dave Tomeo asked if a sound system was included in the project and said that he thought funding had been set aside for that purpose.  Dave Fagan said that he did not believe it was included.  Members discussed the possibility that perhaps a portable system had been considered that would be outside of the funding of this particular project.

 

2.     Construction

 

a)          Science Technology – Dave Fagan reported that although construction is moving slower than expected, it is still progressing.  Jim Stockman added that they are making every attempt to make it known that the university is serious about the progress of the construction and will urge DGS to issue some timelines for contractors who are not on target.  He also stated the need to set up coordination meetings for the move, new furnishing, and classroom assignments.  The floors have been poured and the roof pours continue so that the roof may be covered soon.  The ductwork and electrical is being installed.  Paul Bylaska said that it was discovered that bike racks were not a part of the project and the university will probably look to do a change order to add them.  Sue Courson raised the issue of the faculty’s concern about what the plans were for the pendulum.  Paul Bylaska agreed to take the issue up at the President’s Executive Council meeting.

 

b)         Dining Hall – Dave Tomeo gave an update on the progress of the construction.  Brick is being added to the outside of the building.  Bike racks are included in both the dining hall and residence suites.  Bike parking cannot be within 200 yards of the main entrance of the building and in connection with the bike racks separate showers for men and women must be available.  The dining hall has four prime contractors while the residence suites have one general contractor.  Rein Pold advised that the new buildings would need to be added to the waste management contract.

 

c)          Residence Suites – Dave Tomeo reported that building #4 was currently ahead of schedule and the reflective roof has been installed on the building.  Building #1 should see the roof going on soon.  A vendor will be chosen in the next few days from the four vendors who displayed furniture selections on campus.  The slope of ground that faces Wood Street has been sprayed with grass seed.  Dave Tomeo explained that this was done only to look aesthetically pleasing for commencement and further work would be done to finish off the site.  Rein Pold voiced concerns of the negative impression this could give to the quality of work being done.  Dave Tomeo further added that a 4’ versa-lok wall was being discussed as well as additional grading to the area with vegetation that would involve less maintenance.  Student leasing has begun with numbers in completed applications down slightly.

 

d)         South Campus Parking Lot – Dave Fagan said that the new parking lot for the former Campbell Hall location had been advertised and is expected to be bid within the next two weeks.  Most of the old broken brick and block was used in creating a base for the new lot.  Some new surveying had to be done.  It is hopeful that the bid will come in on budget.  There will be an upper and lower lot with full use of the lower lot during construction.  An emergency phone will be installed in the area.  The borough has provided a letter to relocate the exit which will allow some additional parking spaces.

 

3.        Safety

 

a)      Former President Bill Clinton’s Visit to Campus – Paul Bylaska reported that while the university had less than 48 hours notice, the former president’s visit to campus went well with the university accommodating all those who chose to wait in line.  Due to the time of year and the number of people, issues of room temperature did occur resulting in four individuals fainting.  100 people viewed the video feed of the speech in Marwick Boyd.  The Clinton campaign paid for the use of the facility, maintenance and any other additional costs.  Paul Bylaska and Jon Beal commended the university personnel for their efforts.

 

b)      Crosswalks – Paul Bylaska said that the university is still working with the Borough to come to a resolution on the crosswalks near Hart Chapel.

    

4.        Parking

 

·        Paul Bylaska said that concerns have been raised about the need for a parking permit for a temporary injury and he will work with Glen Reid on a solution.

·        Dave Tomeo said that students would be asked to make recommendations on what type of parking they would like to see in Lot 6.

·        Jack Hubauer questioned the maintenance access behind the recreation center to the South Campus parking lot.  Dave Tomeo stated that the roadway would remain.

 

5.        Parking Committee Recommendations

 

Paul Bylaska advised that the parking committee makes recommendations that are then presented to FPC.  He highlighted the recommendations from the April 10^th parking committee meeting and agreed to send out a summary by e-mail.   

 

ü      Dining Hall employees will be permitted to park in Lot H (Carrier east) and will be issued a special Lot H parking permit.  35-40 spaces will be needed.

ü      CSA employees will be permitted to park in Lot 12 (Marwick Boyd south) and will be issued a special Lot 12 parking permit.

ü      Lot G (Admissions west) & Lot 10 (Givan west) will return to their former designations after construction.

ü      A loading zone will be added to the Carlson circle.

ü      Parking for service vehicles and load in/out for building #4 of the residence suites.

ü      Lot 9 (Admissions east) will remain employee parking.

ü      Lot E (Chandler) will be metered parking, handicapped, and a loading zone after spring 2009.

 

6.        Energy Conference

 

Jon Beal advised that a faculty advisor for the energy conference replacing Joshua Pearce is yet to be determined.           

 

The meeting adjourned at 4:03 p.m.  The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 22^nd at 3pm in the Carrier Board Room, 1^st floor.