001Webinar is started. Just waiting for YouTube. >> All right, Miss McMerry, as you're getting your screen up there, I will talk really slowly >> and I will hand the meeting off to you in five, four, three, two, one. Meeting is yours. >> Okay. Thank you. Good evening everyone. And I'd like to welcome you to the October facilities and operations committee meeting. And we will start with our pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. All right. First up on the agenda will be approval of our minute our meeting minutes, pardon me, from the September 29th committee meeting. May I please have a motion to approve? >> So moved.
002>> Second. Mrs. Ramich and Mr. Kasa. Any comments or questions? Okay. Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Mr. Casa I. Right. Yes. There are no opposed. Motion passes. Okay. Next up, um, will this be Mr. Ryan now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Please, Mr. Ryan, please go ahead. Thank you. >> Thank you, President Mc Merry. So, we have two items to discuss. Uh first one being a recommendation to seek board approval of bid pack one so pen builders incorporated for multiple change orders totaling the amount of $36,2519. So this will be applied to the allowances for the contract leaving a remaining balance of $43,13827. >> Excuse me. Mr. Ryan, is there a a screenshot of the summary document? >> Yes, Mr. Linsky, could you pull that up, please? >> Sorry about that.
003>> That's fine. >> So, we do have the change orders, the individual change orders. Um, and they're summarized on board docs. So important to note that uh these change orders do not increase the contract amount to the vendor nor does it increase the overall construction budget. So this will result in a $0 change order to the uh to the contract itself. So specifically uh proposed change order number 13. So additional work related to the natiatorum area flooring and doors in the amount of $24,771.50. So, this was for additional alco floor tile and door uh frames that were not specifically called out in the drawings. So, flooring changes at specific vestibules and hallways. >> Okay. >> So, we're Mr. Linsky, we're not able to bring up the document that's posted in Board Docs that has the
004public content. >> I can pull that up. Yeah, >> please do. Thank you. >> Sure. Okay. Right. As Dan's bringing that up. Uh so, additionally, uh proposed change order number 14 is a credit. So, for the removal of non-existing flooring and corridors, uh LC 101. So, this would be a credit of $894.34. Uh this was a change of scope from flooring replacement to existing to remain corridor flooring that was actually in very good condition. Uh and then the third proposed change order number 17 owner requested additional ceramic wall tile elevation. Uh so this would be an additional $12,372.93. So during the project, Mr. Slaughter identified that the CMU wall uh the quality of it was not as great. We added five additional courses of wall tile to help the uh to kind of cover that
005up and give it a better look inside the nudatorum. That was only it was only scheduled to be painted originally. Okay, great. All right. So, may I please have a motion to approve this change order? So moved. So >> moved. Second. >> Okay. Thank you. Are there any comments or questions? All right, hearing none. All in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. Motion passes. All right, Mr. Ryan. >> Thank you. >> Uh, moving on to our next item. So, we are asking for recommendation to seek board approval bid pack one uh for Burough Construction Incorporated for multiple change orders totaling the amount of $9,177.18. This will be applied to the allowances for this contract leaving a remaining balance of $177,216.86. So again, similar, this change order does not increase
006the contract amount to this vendor, nor does it increase the overall construction budget and will result in a $0 change order to the EC contract. Uh so specifically proposed change order number six owner requested additional work related to classroom display technology in the amount of $4,7412. So additional devices were requested postcontract for classroom display technology. So this would include all of the KOD classrooms and to note for this one specifically uh Mr. Slaughter has worked and these were things that were added to BID pack 2. So for moving forward, this is something that he was able to capture and wouldn't be missed in the future. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Uh also proposed change order number seven, additional costs for thermal uh thermal removal of light pole base at fueling station in the amount
007of $4,4736. Uh this is caused by unforeseen conditions. The existing light pole base uh was pyramidal in shape, below grade. There was no way for the contractor to be able to assume that extra removal cost would be required. >> Okay, that was an interesting one. Okay, may I please have a motion? >> Okay, we have a first and a second. Any comments or questions? Hearing none. All in favor, please say I. I. I. >> All right, there are no opposed. Motion passes. Thank you, Mr. Ryan, >> thank you. And I believe it's uh Mr. Gilmore taking over for the high school construction video update. >> All right, here it comes. >> Woo! Favorite part. >> It is late October and while students are putting the finishing touches on their costumes for Halloween, construction crews at
008Northbend High School are brewing up something far more exciting. The finishing touches on the third [music] floor Cape Pod science rooms and the natiatorum. Just under two months remain before these spaces come alive and progress is anything but scary. Up in [music] Cape Pod, transformation is in full swing. Inside, casework is installed in classrooms with the chemistry labs getting their finishing touches. Next, masonry restoration continues behind the [music] Audon where the exterior is getting a well-deserved facelift. The floors have now [music] been ground smooth thanks to some monstrous size equipment that have worked after school hours to avoid disrupting students. Painters are hard at work giving classrooms a fresh coat of color. The ceiling grid is taking shape and operable windows have been installed, letting in more light and keeping out the Halloween chill. Crews
009are finalizing wiring for new lighting controls and rooftop exhaust fans, bringing energyefficient life to the space. Meanwhile, just a splash away, the nanitorium is making waves of progress. The wet bed installation around the pool deck is nearly complete. [music] Waterproofing and flashing is in place to keep everything sealed tight. Pull deck tiles are being set with precision one by one like a mosaic of progress. And in the pool equipment room, vertical pumps, bailsafe [music] valves, and the water heater are all being connected, ensuring the future pool stays warm, not [music] chilling. Roofers have begun framing and finishing around the ducts above the L pod area, and duct connections and insulation are complete, bringing better air flow to the pool area. And the locker room's new showers and fixtures are installed, and lighting systems are online.
010The [music] life safety panels have arrived. It's just one more piece of the puzzle now being delivered. And coming soon, the long awaited pool bulkhead arriving in mid November. With each passing week, the construction zone feels a little less like a haunted house and more like the home of North Penn's future scientists, students, and athletes. Stay tuned. By the holidays, the Cape Pod Science classrooms and natitorium will be open for action. Until then, have a safe and [music] happy Halloween. >> That was wonderful. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Gilmore. Uh, moving along, uh, we have Mr. Lynch and CHA for their presentation. Mr. Linsky, if you could bring that up. >> Good evening everyone. Just making sure you can hear me. I did turn my camera on but it didn't uh >> We can
011hear you Mr. or I can I assume others can too. >> Great. [clears throat] Yes, we can hear you, Jamie. >> Okay. I don't know how I can follow up a video like that, but I'll give it a shot. And I think Mr. Linsky is just adjusting the screen a little bit so all the text is on there. Okay. Um upcoming and recent activity on uh North Penn's High School project. It was a big uh month of September and October. Uh at the very end of September, the township board of supervisors gave final approval on the project. So that was very exciting. And uh in October, we received the end the long awaited NPDS permit. So both of those processes were very well managed and handled and we're glad that they're behind us. We're in
012the process of final agreements for the land development process and getting the recording going and that's what triggers our availability for a preconstruction conference with the conservation district. So I think that that recording and the eventual meeting is really imminent something that's going to happen within the next uh week to 10 days. On to the next Mr. Linsky. Uh some of the remaining issues uh involve the Sunnytown Road and Snyder Road pedestrian crossings that we've been working out with the with the township. Uh I think we're up to date on where we stand there with respect to PENDOT allowing us to leave the flashers in place on Snyder Road and including additional signing signage there. Uh and so that's worked out well. And then the final details on what's done on Sony Town Road are
013pending with the township. Uh we're working with Mr. Gilmer on radio tower design for the last radio tower demolition and the eventual new freestanding tower that will house the radio signal. So that will be an ongoing process here in the next year or so. [clears throat] And as far as our bid packages, we've got a big milestone coming up at the end of November in bid package one as was identified in the video for the natiatorum and uh the third floor of Cape Pod. Uh lots of activity uh even first thing this morning with our foreman's meeting on site as everyone scurries around and completes work for both of those uh milestones. Transportation building, the board has acted on uh the contract through Gordian for that. There was another meeting today uh to review final
014details and get ourselves in a position to put an agreement together with Gordian and SJ Thomas for that work. So that's very exciting. Phase two design documents, the notice to proceed was issued. Uh submitts are flying. There was a bi-weekly progress meeting today and information is going back and forth so we can start to get out of the ground quickly once the conservation district allows us to do that. uh bid package three design documents uh reached a 75% milestone. They were submitted us to us for costing. We should have an estimate by the end of this week associated what's with what's on those documents. And we've been exchanging comments with the design team on what's on those documents and also working with Mr. Slaughter and the entire administrative team on comments and issues associated with
015trying to get those documents finished up. Okay. uh schedule bid package one working toward our uh deadline at the end of uh November for the natitorium and third floor. Uh once we turn those over, we'll be headed to the second floor of Kod. We'll adjust the temporary barriers that are on the floor in order to keep separate uh construction from school uh and other work associated with the second floor. So, u bid package one is on its way. Bid package two with our notice to proceed and hopefully our start of work uh later in November. The first thing that would be out of the ground is the clearing for the building edition at Apod and also the staging area that's over on the radio site. ENS across the site will be installed and then utility
016work will probably be the next thing that's happening in various places along the site. Bid package three renovation. Again, we're finishing enduser meetings. There's work to be done uh for the auditorium remaining, but we expect to be out to bid uh probably in the first quarter of 2027. I'd like to find some opportunity to possibly move that up a little bit and start a little sooner. So, we're going to work with the team on phasing for that. We have a meeting next week to specifically look at HVAC FA uh phasing for that bid package. And you can see that it involves H pod, GPO, FPOD, and JPOD. And along with that will be a bid package for abatement associated with bid package 2. That'll happen at the same time. And bid package 4 brings up
017the rear of the project. It's primarily site work. Nothing's really changed here. It will require an amendment to the issued NPDS permit. Um, and this will primarily be a site contract bid to really clean up the site and complete repairs to the storm water lines that are in the front uh lot. So, this is one that will be at the very end of the project. Our dashboard is attached that identifies the schedule milestones that we're uh closing in on, issues uh in progress, issues resolved. Uh the team is working very well together in order to resolve issues as they come up. Uh we've got the updated uh payments to date along with the status of uh material allowances on the project and uh the design team remains very good at responding to requests for information
018and processing submitts. So the team is really working together very well uh as we bring another group of contractors on the site in the coming weeks. A note on safety reported by the contractors. We've had a couple of items that we've been focusing on here in the past month. One is our pool contractor who needs continual reminders from us and others to use proper PPE in the natiatorum. Hard hats and other measures. They are coming around very slowly, but we're continuing our reminders. We had one incident to report this month. There was a a generator that was dropped from a forklift. There was a strap surrounding it that uh tore and the generator fell on one of the security fences on the site. Uh there were no injuries. There was just some minor damage to
019the fence and also one of the school's benches was damaged that will be replaced. No other injuries or other things to report with respect to safety though. Upcoming work just again is really the focus on getting the third floor of Cape Pod turned over and the natiatorum turned over. Our air handler has been delivered for third floor and it's going to be going in. The pool pack unit for the natiatorum is on the roof. We've done a lot of work with duct work. That roof that uh the pool pack sits on is currently being replaced. Electrician is doing work. Plumber is doing work. Uh, as you heard, the floors have been ground on the third floor, and we're getting ready for flooring in classrooms. We'll be coordinating that with uh waxing of floors and also
020the scheduled delivery of new furniture for the third floor that's scheduled here in November. No issues with code inspections and we're also planning for the Department of Health inspection for the pool, which requires a good deal of coordination. Uh, there was chatter about that. We're just trying to make sure that we get on their schedule and uh we don't hear that they cannot come out during Thanksgiving week, etc. So, we're trying to plan around the holiday and be proactive. Uh bid package two, again, once we get the NPDS conservation district meeting taken care of, we'll start to get to the business of ENS and and the staging area and getting ready for a building addition transportation building. I think I covered there was the submitted cost with no bid alternates um and the budget information.
021Uh it includes the above ground diesel tank for the fueling of the buses and uh we've got a team that's coming together there and has combed through the documents for each of the primes making sure that the scope has been clear. So has been a good process for Gordian. Budget update really remains the same. Uh the transportation numbers I will update now that we've got that locked in for uh next month for you. And then I've also committed to working with Mr. Slaughter and uh Tara in order to put together uh a little bit more budget comprehensiveness so that everybody has uh transparency on where we are with the budget. But uh moving along very nicely. Contingencies remain in place for the project and uh with any luck we'll be transferring contingency from the the
022phase one the bid package one to other portions of the project. With that, I'll say thank you and uh entertain any questions you may have this evening. >> Any questions from the board or the students this evening? >> Any questions? >> I I just have a question about the handoff. Um and so with the third floor and maybe um Dr. Nicholson, this is more for you. What will that look like over breaks? How will teachers be able to uh um move into those new spaces? Um what will what will some of these transitions and things look like? >> Yes. So that's a great question, Mrs. Ramitch, and that's something we we've already discussed with the teachers that will be moving into those spaces. So they are aware that um you know, dependent upon exactly when
023all the work is done, when the cleaning is done, um they're going to be ready on a moment's notice to move in there. We are uh we will work with them. will be flexible with their time um to make sure that they have everything they need. And we do anticipate that that first day back from the Thanksgiving break, December 1st, they'll be in the classrooms. They'll be ready to go. So, um we're hoping that that week ahead of time, uh the classrooms will be available. They'll be able to move their their belongings in and start setting up for for class that day after. Um but we're going to have to be flexible and make sure uh that they do have that time and are able to to get themselves settled. So, we have students on
024the third floor right after Thanksgiving. And then with regards to the health inspector coming into the natiatorum, what is the timeline for being able to reopen the natiatorum with with that with that inspection? >> I can probably take that one. Um, as soon as we have the blessing from the Department of Health, you have an open natitorium. So, we'll work with the district. will work with the aquatics program making sure that everything is ready and everything is in in place. But that's really the blessing that we need from the department of health and then also the building inspector for occupancy. So there are a number of tasks associated with getting to that point. Um and so we've got them lined up and we're trying to make sure that we coordinate and we're trying to work
025around a holiday. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Mrs. Stole, you have a question? >> I do. Thank you, President Mcver. Um, so Mr. Lynch, I was just wondering um did maybe I missed it. Did we skip over the part about the energy sustainable um improvements that were made this time like uh an update on that kind of [clears throat] >> I I apologize. I had a sustainability update last month. >> I was not I was not asked to do something this month or if you would like to have something >> incorporated, you know, just let me know. We can we can put it together however it suits you. >> I'm sorry. Maybe that was um my fault miscommunication. I thought it was going to be every meeting. >> So I'm Mrs. Mrs. Stol. I'm going
026to take responsibility for that as chair of this committee. But yeah, the expectation is that um each month there will be um an update whether or not there is change in the physical work or not. But yes, we do want to hear an update. Thank you. >> Thank you. I'm sure more months there'll be some months than others. So yeah. >> Yep. >> I would like to see something monthly if possible. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. Can do. >> Mr. Casa. >> Thank you, Madam President. Um was wondering with the this first phase but also subsequent ones over the years. Uh do we have a punch list of sorts or uh for um safety and security elements? um you know that especially those hardwired ones or upgrades that we might have whether it's cameras certain
027prop tech sensors um whatever had existed before we know about the alert system just making sure that we've got that proper seamless handoff a as we start to change over from an older system older building uh that will still rely on the original system for a while um for life safety and security systems but then make that transition, right, as we get into third uh 2030 and beyond. And hopefully, right, it'll be a new system or or an upgraded system, right, with with all the some people might call it bells and whistles, but I'd call it, you know, the essentials when it comes down to um the the same type of technology and systems I mentioned. So basically using as an example from phase one, what are we doing for the emergency communications crisis systems
028and technology for safety and security to to tie in seamlessly uh in this project phase to phase? >> Maybe I can start this and and Bill or Sean can pick up. Uh the first question that you had Mr. Picasso was on punch list and at at at earliest point that we can the design team will come in and start putting a punch list together for each space. And so certainly we need the work done and everything to code for occupancy and the punch list may have items that are required for that and there might be some items contractors have to come back after hours to finish. As far as punch list goes, as far as uh life safety, I'm happy to report that the uh life safety panels that were needed for the project and
029owner procured, the district procured them because of the long lead time actually arrived early. They were delivered this week. So, that was one big component there. New cameras, um uh smoke detection, all of that is part of the design documents. And so, that's incorporated with the work. And from a a next level up as far as uh the district's safety protocols that uh you implement in all of your buildings, we'll certainly cooperate with your security, your IT team, etc. to make sure that everything that's anticipated is installed. Um and the same would be uh true for the subsequent phases. And so the way that the design documents have been written is that we have a consistent system for security, for cameras, for fire alarm throughout the whole building, even though we have different bid packages
030and different contractors. So we've got everything aligned so that you would have one complete system at the end of the project. >> Thank you, Mr. Lynch. And then just to piggyback off off of that, so Mr. Jer has been involved throughout the entire process as the design piece has been going on. So with the camera systems um so his fe feedback and input has been invaluable. We've also as we are integrating our new systems still using some of our old systems kind of that cohesiveness where we have already had two different systems going at one different time. So as far as fire protection security systems there's been no point where there's been a drop in that and if there was it was momentarily due to a construction aspect that was quickly corrected. So there is
031a process that we're kind of following and it's it's a little bit of extra work uh but it's important so we have to do it. >> Thank you very much. It's great to hear that uh Mr. Ran is part of this. Um you know for safety and security with any project but one this size. It's good to know it's by design and not by default. Uh too often it's something that gets bolted on later. So I appreciate the effort and the details. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Okay, Mr. Lynch, I have three questions. Um, first is how does the pool get filled again? >> So, there's a water line that services the pool and there's a what's known as affectionately the pool fill line. And so, once the plaster
032is done and the area is cleaned up, we basically are able to fill the pool that way. Then you've got pool heaters that are also included in the project. And that's how we get to water temperature. >> Okay. [snorts] Second question is, what is your um threshold for warnings regarding safety PPE? Um and if you remind the same contractor X amount of times after that, are they then, you know, requested to not come back on site? >> So safety is definitely covered at each one of the foreman's meetings. There was one at 8:00 this morning and the general contractor went through with all of the primes these reminders including what's happening in the niatorum and elsewhere the reminder for hard hats and badging and um you know we have not had the occasion that we've
033had to remind anyone other than the pool contractor really repeatedly to take care of business with hard hats. Um most of the contractors have been have been compliant. There are times when somebody doesn't have a hard hat on. He's working at elevation and there's not really a falling hazard, but we're doing it our best to remind them that they have to follow their own safety protocols and have their own safety officers come in and remind them of all of the requirements that they have, not just hard hats, but things like electrical cords and straps, etc. So, that's the really the role of each of the contractor's safety professionals to guide them in that area. >> Okay, that didn't answer my question. My question is if you um come in contact and are aware of an
034a contractor that has repeatedly not worn their PPE or followed safety operational procedures. Is there a number of times at some point you would say this person is unsafe and they will not be on site again? Is it two times, three times? I'm just looking to understand it. We we do not have a threshold in which we do that, but I could establish something with the team in order to to put some policy in effect in which we would get to a point where we would not invite someone back to do work. >> Okay. I I would ask that again. I understand from your update it's specific to the nudiatorum but as we go forward and becomes a bit more bit more different type of work um work with I would ask Mr. Slaughter or
035Mr. Ryan to determine what the threshold is so that you're comfortable we're comfortable regarding safety and the threshold um for a particular worker so I would request that I know Mr. Slaughter is on. Not for tonight, but um that would be something I'd be interested in hearing going forward. And my last >> Thanks. And my last question is really specific to it was early on what the first few the first slide or the second slide I think it was about the the uh conference that has to take place with the conservation district and it can only be scheduled is that after receipt of the NPDES permit >> it's after the uh post construction documents for the NPDS permit are recorded at the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds. >> Okay. And so that hasn't happened yet.
036>> It we're in process with your solicitor of pulling all of those documents together that need signatures of administrators in order to facilitate recording. >> Okay. And then once that happens, then the work starts. I need to get what's uh it's an electronic receipt upon recording >> and then I need to make sure that the conservation district accepts the electronic receipt. Sometimes they have, sometimes they haven't. And then we'll schedule the meeting and and move right ahead. So, as soon as I get that receipt, we'll be on the phone getting it to the conservation district in order to schedule the pre-construction meeting. >> Okay. So I guess all along I thought that once we had that NPDES permit that work would commence, but that's not the case. There still is another requirement. >> The the
037newest requirement of the conservation district and it's just a few months old. I believe it started this year. >> Oh wow. is that they what what's been happening is that these documents have notoriously gone unrecorded at the county and so D and the conservation district imposed this requirement on all projects is once we issue you the permit you have to get your documents recorded signed off by the recorder of deeds and then we'll conduct a preconstruction conference which allows you to start >> okay all right [snorts] I'll follow up with Mr. slaughter um to to just un not I do understand it. Thank you. That was clear. But just to see what expediting looks like to keep moving forward. All right. Thank you. >> All right. Thanks very much for that update. >> Thank you,
038>> Mr. Ryan. Back to you. >> All right. Thank you. Uh item C, 10-year capital needs update. So, uh at at this point, there were no updates made to the 10-year capital, uh needs since the September meeting. Uh, one thing of note, upcoming projects from the capital needs summary, the district-wide assembly hardware bid uh, due date, we actually extended it back to November 7th or excuse me, November 6th at 3 p.m. to try to elicit some more uh, responses and give the contractors a little bit more time to get their their numbers really locked in and finite. So, >> okay. [snorts] So, so to note, um, this item always was referred to up to this point in time as the 10-year capital project plan. And at this point, we've revised that based upon, I guess,
039discussion with um, our CFO, Miss Hower, and such. So, it will be called the tenure capital needs um, item going forward. Is that fair to say now? >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Okie do. >> Okay, moving on. We have uh uh Dan and myself uh are going to do a little uh slideshow of some of the ongoing work in the department. So, Mr. Lynch, if you could or excuse me, Mr. Linsky, if you could bring that up and then go ahead and take it away on the first slide. >> Good evening, everyone. Thank you, Mr. Ryan. Uh so our first uh the first update we're going to talk just briefly about the custodial department. Um couple of the items are custodial meeting followup. So in August we had a a full staff custodial meeting
040where we brought our entire team together. Uh we reviewed a number of items at the meeting. We talked about cleaning protocols, disciplinary procedures, uh required training, bar panel emergency response, uh facility rentals. We also talked about um paid time off. We reviewed that for our staff so everyone was clear on that. Uh we had some really good feedback from our staff. Uh first of all, you know, we need to bring everyone together, but um we provided lunch and it was positive and it was just a good um opportunity to get everyone together and also to also have them be heard uh which was uh we got good feedback on that. Jumping to um some of the parking lot items we noted. So at the meeting um there was a number of things that came up
041so we had to kind of follow up on those items uh during the discussion. So, Mr. Slaughter, myself, and Mr. Ryan followed up and we communicated those responses out to our entire staff. And when we did that, we also shared our presentation that day and we also shared with them our updated custodial manual, which we'll talk about in a little bit. On the second shift engagement, this piece is really uh something um myself, Mr. Ryan, and Mr. Slaughter talked about getting out to see our staff just to to make sure that they see us. um so that they're heard um make sure that they know that we value them and that the work that they're doing. So we're going to continue to do that for our staff on staffing update. So ongoing recruiting efforts. So
042this is something that like other departments we have challenges where we get fully staffed and then you know a week later we lose people. So we're continually um trying to get people hired. So weekly we're reviewing applications, we're doing interviews as soon as we get, you know, the opportunity to interview somebody that will get them in there. So we're going to continue to work on that. Um at our last supervisors meeting, we talked with the supervisors and kind of brainstormed and also, you know, looking for their help, people they know, maybe trying to think of some incentives we can give to them if we get people hired. So something we're continuing to work on. uh the staff development and training piece. Um essentially this is about providing consistency across the district which we've been working
043on. Um having our guidelines in place accessible to all of our staff members and with training we're we're offering the same um incentives to other as other departments do. So, if they get their training done, um you know, the January 2nd training piece where people can potentially work from home, we're doing that so they can get their training done and they can enjoy their um their holiday. Uh staff retention plan. So, this kind of goes back to us getting out to the buildings, checking on the staff, getting feedback from them, um what we can do to try to help them also meet their expectations. Something came up last week. Uh something we're going to talk to the uh principles about is the sometimes the condition of the classrooms at the end of the day. Um
044some classrooms are very neat, some you know can be quite messy. So it takes a lot of time for our staff to kind of be on the normal cleaning to get some of those rooms. So things like that we're we're taking the feedback just so we know that we are working towards helping them as well on the custodial guidelines binder. So uh we created a passdown binder for all the schools and at a recent supervisor's meeting we completed those binders. We distributed them uh to all the schools. They they have the cleaning protocols in them, our emergency procedures, uh injury reporting process, and we also have our employee handbooks in there. And the goal with that was again to create some consistency across the district at all the buildings. So we can walk into the
045building, we can go to the custodial office, we can pull that binder, um we can, you know, look into the daily, weekly, monthly schedules for the building. um information is passed down in that binder from first shift to second shift. Um it's kind of like a bible that we wanted each building to have. So that was a really good um good thing that we put out there for our staff. Uh cleaning inspections. So we we've always done cleaning inspections, but we never had anything done like routinely. So what we did is we came up with a bi-weekly cleaning inspection protocol. So, our head custodians have a scorecard. They're going to get out to um their staff members cleaning sections um by like twice a month. Actually, twice a month, not bi-weekly. And just by doing
046that, you know, we feel we'll be a little more proactive um with that versus, you know, getting complaints from the teachers. So, that's something that we rolled out as well. >> And Mr. Linsky, just to chime in on that, too. So, our head custodians and supervisors are doing daily inspections when they walk through the building, but this is a purposeful inspection to make sure they're going through and documenting, looking for that consistency piece. So, yeah, I mean, they're they're throughout every single classroom, you know, basically daily. This is just more of that time that's specifically placed aside for that inspection. >> Correct. We're actually documenting that. Okay. All right. On to you. >> Thank you. So, uh, quick grounds department update. Uh, as the sadly the winter, uh, is coming, uh, we're doing winterization at
047our sports fields, prim, uh, specifically baseball, softball. Uh, we're starting at the high school level at 9th grade, and our plan, our goal is to have it fully winterized. And this is something that Mr. Slaughter introduced. So in years past we have done a version of winterization but this is a lot more purposeful to help set us up for when spring sports come it won't be as much of a heavy lift when you know when when the ground starts to thaw and we can jump onto that. So uh a lot of good progress. Pendale if you get bored swing by check out their baseball and softball field in ninth grade. Uh they're looking really good. We got a lot of positive feedback from the athletic directors. Segue uh Mr. Nicholson uh Mr. Slaughter and I
048have are meeting monthly with all the athletic directors and this is just an opportunity for us to kind of support each other. They talk to us about the upcoming events they have, athletics, uh needs, you know, because ultimately we're all here to support the students and staff and then we come back with feedback asking for help like, hey, these are some of the things we're trying to incorporate. How can we get there? Can you help us get there? So, so far really positive. Uh it's a great team of people. Uh obviously with, you know, Mr. Nicholson's leadership, he's amazing. But the uh athletic directors are a really good group of people. So tying that in kind of looking at the fall sports, how did we make out what can we do better for next year
049while also tying that into the the planning piece for for the spring. Um so so far really good. You know, it's it's it's easy to talk about plans and come up with documents, but then what you know, what's the where's the proof in the pudding kind of. So I think that's where having those honest conversations of where we could do better and being open to that. So, uh, the next piece, it's that four-letter sword, uh, that nobody likes to talk about. Uh, it is coming and, uh, I'm not a big farmer's almanac person, but, I hear that it's going to be a rough winter. Uh, so what we're doing now, we're making sure that all of our snow removal equipment is in working order. If we need more, we are going to get it. Uh,
050because snow waits for no one. Um, we already have salt that's on site. We have uh sidewalk salt deliveries incoming within the next week or so. So, we will make sure our teams have everything needed in the event that we uh well in the eventuality that we do have snow on the property. So, um with the grounds team, so though wintertime, it's it's a shift in what we do. So, I we're not cutting grass anymore. We're not, you know, uh doing some of the sports field activities, but what we are doing is we're supporting the elementary schools uh with, you know, hedge work, bush work. So, there's a lot of work that our grounds team does during the winter. Uh, a lot of times it's things that don't necessarily go a little bit unseen. There's
051a lot of work that we do here at the SSC to help plan for the future equipment service and maintenance. And when we get to the freeze time, they will be out there daily salting our properties. They will be out there making sure that when students arrive in the morning that there is no ice or min or it's been salted. So, it's something that uh it kind of goes unnoticed because they're here at 3:00 4:00 a.m. every day during the winter time. So, and then the last piece for the ground summertime planning. So, we're already looking at the projects that we want to, you know, tackle and accomplish this coming summer. So, Dan, if you want to shift over to the maintenance department. So, try to get through this quickly here. Uh fun fact, uh
052so in the past month, we have completed 642 work orders across all of our departments. So that's HVAC, grounds, >> uh, custodial, uh, PM, so some of the preventive maintenance that we do. So it's one of the things we're really pushing the team is to accurately capture all of the work orders that we do so we can present it to you to kind of, you know, it's okay to brag every now and again to say, hey, look at some of the amazing things we're doing. Um, so school year shift and prioritization. So summertime we're focusing on projects in areas where there's, you know, student occupied that we can't get in the school year. Now it kind of shifts into a little bit of a triage mode where okay, as things break, being able to reallocate
053resources to tackle those things. Uh plumbing challenges. So kind of segue into that. Uh as of the last few years and even in my experience at my prior district, we're having a lot of challenges with vapes. So vapes are being flushed down the toilet uh at high schools and middle schools. and it's there's a lot of uh labor hours that that then have to be reallocated to deal with those issues. So, thankfully we have a very strong plumbing team here and they're able to jump on and take care of those. But that's one of our ongoing plumbing challenges that we are kind of have been experiencing uh district-wide painting plan. So something that uh I'd worked on at my previous district having a plan in place cuz as we have here, you know, 17 schools,
05421 buildings, it's hard for one district painter to be able to go around and make a a solid impact. So having a plan in place where he will have his time uh uh planned ahead of time. So like roughly one to two weeks stretches at each school talking to the principles ahead of time so that they could give us their their wants and needs list uh focusing on student staff occupied areas and it's this is maintenance painting. So it's not hey I would like a brand new beautiful office. It's no these are the areas that actually the students the learning environment that we want to focus our time on. Uh so that that I hope to have rolled out at the beginning of November. Um and then continued LED up lighting upgrades. So we have
055a you know a lot of schools that still have uh fluorescent tube T12 T8 bulbs getting those out getting LED lights installed which would also turn into energy savings um as well. So something that we're with our new electrician that we had start two months ago we're focusing some of the time on that. And then Dan the the last one. So, kind of a recap of some of the things that Dan uh Mr. Slaughter and myself have been working on. Uh a check mark does not mean done. It just means that we have accomplished that goal and we continue to look for the ones in the future. So, we are still, you know, working on our ongoing projects and future project planning uh some of our our budget needs, working with uh Mrs. Hower and
056then obviously the development of our staffing model for departments moving forward. So uh we are with our work order system. We did uh meet with uh incident IQ who is currently working with the IT department for their work order system and we're going to be exploring a couple others uh looking at facility rentals work order systems to to see if there's one that better suits our fits our needs. >> So that is any any questions or comments on that? Anyone from the committee have any comments or questions? >> I just have a quick comment. I think that was a really good presentation and I appreciate the detail. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Casa. >> Yeah, echoing that. Uh I'm just uh many years seeing where facilities and operations um continues to to develop
057these type of metrics so that we can communicate uh with each other. So the board has a better understanding. I I'm seeing a lot of this looking like a nice simple dashboard for those of us who aren't experts and it's very helpful and uh we always like the opportunity to to be able to communicate uh what the value of our facilities and operations staff is to the community and each school. U it's one thing to just have words for it. U appreciate the opportunity for that. thanks to actually, you know, be represented in person so our our staff know about that. But then also there's the ability for us to be able to share that type of data with the community. When I see numbers like that in the 600 40 something plus uh work
058orders, I I know we don't have hundreds of staff doing all this work and we've seen the work buddy uh results I I believe annually, but now that we're getting even more granular um appreciate that uh we're not getting lost in the weeds. We're actually just getting a much fuller picture um from from this type of oversight uh birch, so to speak. So, thank thank you and thank your team. Thank you very much. >> All right. Um >> Mr. Ryan, I need to echo too because um this is a thank you to Mr. Slaughter to you and Mr. Linsky. The collaboration, this communication really sets the bar high. Um, I think it also demonstrates um a real commitment from the your team, the whole facilities and operations team to communicate, collaborate with the district. It's
059nice to hear about what's happening with the other athletic directors as well as what's happening um in our other facilities. So, I heard you say, you know, brag a bit. It isn't bragging. It's actually for me, brag all you want, because it's demonstrating a much more efficient, effective um and meaningful uh method to go forward and maintain our facilities that we all know need additional love and care and work. So, I think it's awesome. You you you're hitting it out of the park. So, thank you all. >> Really appreciate that. And I think not to speak for Mr. Linsky or Mr. slaughter, but maybe the word proud. So, we have such a strong, dedicated, passionate team and to see the things that they're able to do day in and day out, it it's almost like
060uh you know, kids like you're in awe. Like, wow, they just learned how to tie their shoes. They just learned how to, you know, uh play the piano. It's just really impressive to watch this crew and and how they continue to grow as a team. So, thank you again. >> Thank you. >> Uh item E. So, this I think uh Mr. Slaughter talked about would be the the last uh reminder about the meeting time update. uh update. So a reminder that starting time for the facilities and operations committee will now uh show same start time as safe schools and will follow immediately the adjournment of the safe schools committee meeting uh moving forward. >> That is it last reminder. Okay. >> And then uh subject uh item F, student representative update. >> Yeah. Um, I
061did have one thing of just that Casey and I were looking into creating a student feedback questionnaire. And so if there's anything you would be interested in seeing or asking from students, let me know and we can put stuff on. >> That would be awesome. I think that would be a great collaboration. Maybe we'll work through Dr. Nicholson and both of you uh to send in our questions whether it comes from um the project, the high school project or um some of the topics that Mr. Ryan just spoke to. And then also I I know that I personally will want to ask you questions about sustainability um for you all as you go forward. Great. Super. Casey, do you have anything? No, I think Audrey pretty much covered it. >> Okie dokie. All right. Thank
062you. All right. So, thank you, Mr. Ryan and Mr. Linsky again for those updates this evening. Um, so I'll ask Mr. Gilmer, is there anyone that would like to make public comment this evening? >> Yes, we do have one person in the audience tonight who would like to make comment. >> All right, I'll read the disclaimer. Individuals [clears throat] attending this meeting virtually and intending to speak to the committee should be aware that they are being recorded. In order to meet the requirements of Pennsylvania Sunshine Law, it is necessary to record the names of all citizens who speak to the committee during the meeting. To assure compliance with this requirement, it is essential that those planning to address the committee raise their hand electronically and state their name and municipality. Members of the audience are
063asked to limit their questions and comments to matters being discussed at tonight's meeting or matters that may come before the facilities and operations committee. Members of the audience are asked to limit their questions and comments to three minutes and this is in reference to board policy 903. Thanks Mr. Gilmer. Please go ahead. >> All righty. Up first is Jason Laneir. Jason, I have unmuted your microphone. So when you're ready to begin, please unmute your microphone. State your name and municipality for the record and begin your comments, please. >> Jason Lir Lansdale. Um, yeah, I listen to M. Ryan talk and, you know, I think I think overall that the work they do to keep the buildings up and running prior to replacing outdated, worn out systems. It's pretty impressive. Uh, I've mentioned that before. Um,
064so that's that that's very good. Um, I I do have some concerns uh about what we're doing in terms of spending money on some of the newer systems. And I mentioned this in a I guess it was a work session meeting I think a couple weeks ago uh that you there was a line item in the capital improvement plan for almost a million dollars spent on three air conditioning systems over the Pemrook mods. And it was corrected uh I was corrected in saying no it's only it's that's the $167,000 is for the three and the rest of it is for the other mods. But then it got to thinking is $167,000 for three heat pumps/air conditioners makes them $54,000 $55,000 a piece. Does that that seems like an awfully high amount for a modular classroom
065air conditioning. So I'm wondering was that was that bid out or is that just was it just one Let me back up. What is the size of the modular classrooms? Because as far as I can tell they're not they're not large. They're like what 700 square ft maybe. So, doing the math, it it seems like $54,000 is a lot to spend on a single uh heat pump/ air conditioner for one of those things. Now, if that's just and that's just one one small uh maintenance item, you know, renovation update sort of thing. And yet, you're doing this on a large scale. Now, not to be saying that not everything is is out of line, but it seems like we we we upspend on a lot. Uh so maybe correct me if I'm wrong. What is
066the size of the classroom, the each classroom, and why are we spending $54,000 on one air conditioner for one classroom? Uh and and actually fe giving me some answers would be appreciated. And I'll leave it there. Thank you. Mr. Laneir, um, we'll follow up and make sure you understand the specifics. If you'd like to go into that level of detail, we'll follow up and ask Mr. Slaughter if you'd like to contact him. I'm sure he'd be happy to explain to you the specifics. Anyone else would like to make public comment, Mr. Gilmer? >> That will conclude public comment for tonight. >> Okay. Thank you. Great. >> Can I just quick follow up that um Mrs. Hower, can you remind us what the dollar amount is for a project to be bid out? It it must
067be bid out. Uh under the Pennsylvania school code, it's over 232. And I'll double check my numbers, but it's 232. You need three quotes. Um but any construction project that this district does, we go out to bid. Um, for the most part, unless it's emergent and we need to get three quotes from like a cooperative purchasing agreement that the board has previously approved that we can participate in, um, for any of these mechanical projects, we go out for bid. This one was actually out for bid and was approved last month. Um, it was discussed at the September 18th, I'm sorry, the bid opening was September 18th and then the agenda was um, whatever last month's meeting was, was it the 29th of September? So, um, and the bid respondents are in that board doc. Um,
068and the original bid specifications are located on our website where all of our bid specifications are posted. >> Thank you, Mrs. Hower. I appreciate all that information. >> Yep. >> Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Hower. And also, Mrs. Stole, thank you for asking that question. Um, any other comments or questions before we move on? Okay, then Mr. Ryan, I'll go back to you please for a summary of the action items, please. >> Certainly. Uh we are seeking uh board approval for change order uh of $36,251 $36,2519 uh from PEN builders uh for multiple change orders specifically 134 and 17. And then we are also seeking board approval for change orders in the amount of $9,177.18 uh from Burough Construction Incorporated for multiple change orders specifically six and seven. >> Okay. All right. Thank you for that.
069All right. Uh with that, uh the next facilities and operations committee meeting will be on Monday, November 24th at well, it'll immediately follow the safe schools committee meeting which starts at 5:45 p.m. on that date. So, and it will be in a virtual format. So, I will adjourn the meeting and say thank you very much everyone for hanging in there uh this evening. >> Take care. >> Thank you, Mr. Gilmer. >> Thank you. You take care everyone.