The O & M Committee met on Thursday, 22 April 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in the Superintendent’s Office located in The Holman Center for Career and Technical Education, Pekin Community High School, City of Pekin, County of Tazewell.

Chairperson Joe Alesandrini called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Also present were Board Member Eric Hill, Superintendent Paula Davis, Business Manager Carla Schaefer, Director of Buildings & Grounds James Lewis, and Recording Secretary Rick White. Absent was Board Member Ed Harr.

COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC COMMENTS, & PARTICIPATION

None.

PROPOSALS SUBMITTED FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

Superintendent Davis distributed proposals from seven architectural firms submitted in response to the District’s request for proposals, along with a rubric which could be used to evaluate each. She reviewed the District’s issues with Healy, Bender which currently supplies architectural services. Although they did a good job for the District concerning the new building in the 1990s, several factors have led us to search for a replacement, including the fact that their headquarters are in Naperville and that they use suburban vendors who are reluctant to return to Pekin to address problems. Another concern is their experience with remodeling and retrofitting projects. Our recent Holman Center boiler project is an example of how Healy, Bender recommended more equipment, at greater expense, than we needed. Sink replacement in restrooms across from F.M. Peterson Theatre was not done in compliance with specifications. The District has life, health, safety and remodeling work that needs to be completed correctly and we need to bring those projects in on or under budget.

Three of the seven firms which submitted proposals actually toured Pekin High, according to Buildings and Grounds Director James Lewis—Landes Benson of Chillicothe, PSA Dewberry of Peoria, and BLDD of Bloomington. BLDD was the only firm which also submitted a proposal last year. The relative merits and drawbacks of each firm were discussed by the committee. Landes Benson is a small firm which comes highly recommended and promises to complete projects on time and under budget. PSA Dewberry is a large firm with considerable experience in the education field, including renovations of large high schools such as Richwoods which is far behind schedule. We have steered away from them before since they were involved in so many projects. Mr. Lewis was disturbed by the “overkill” approach to our projects that he sensed from their electrical engineer and by the fact that Bradley University severed its relationship with them. BLDD falls between the other two in terms of size. Mr. Lewis has heard no negatives concerning their work and a call received by him yesterday from the firm reinforced their eagerness to establish a relationship with Pekin High. BLDD is also making a push toward “going green,” Mr. Lewis added. Mrs. Davis noted that the District probably would have awarded them the contract a year ago had we decided not to give Healy, Bender another year. It was generally agreed to go with one of these three firms since the other four showed a lack of interest in us by choosing not to tour our facilities as part of the proposal process.

Given the District’s need to address issues requiring architectural services soon—including a life, health, safety review of the new building, or perhaps of all facilities since a full-scale review
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Thursday, 22 April 2010
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is due in 2014, plus summer projects—it was decided not to invite the three firms in to make a presentation. Committee members agreed to recommend approval of a contract with BLDD. Mrs. Davis said this item would be on the agenda for the 26 April 2010 regular Board meeting.

SUMMER PROJECTS

The following potential summer projects were discussed by the committee:

Preparation of the new art room in the autobody shop area of the Holman Center.
Renovation of the restrooms across the hall from Assistant Principal Danielle Owens’s office.
Leaks over the concession stands in the Stadium and the possible abandonment of those stands in favor of a trailer or trailers which could be placed in a variety of locations.
Disposal of the music department trailer, to be replaced possibly by a truck to haul equipment to competitions.
Installation of two more trophy case sections. The entire trophy case project could be completed in as little as two years.
Buildings and Grounds will repair damage to the tennis courts caused by heaving of the concrete holding the net posts. Healy, Bender has not responded to this issue.
Work on the new marquee sign will begin soon. The template has arrived.
New carpeting and tile installation is slated for the counselors’ offices.
Painting and floor cleaning/waxing will proceed as usual.
Work this past winter on exterior walls in B/C Buildings appears to have addressed the problem of wall separation from the floors. Gaps will be filled and painting will be done where necessary to finish this project.

OTHER

SIGNS ON DOORS USED FOR PUBLIC ACCESS

Chairperson Alesandrini noted that he had been to a school that indicated which doors were left unlocked to be used for public access by simple signs reading, “Welcome to [name of school].”

POOL LOCKERS

Mr. Lewis reported that lockers installed in the pool locker rooms still look great and show no signs of needing repair. Other lockers may be replaced eventually in other locker rooms around the campus.

CEILING REPLACEMENT

Mr. Lewis reported that new ceilings in A and G Buildings are in good shape. Students are leaving them alone which shows their appreciation for recent upgrades.

OUTDOOR SIGNAGE

Superintendent Davis mentioned that it might be time to repaint outdoor signs. Their color has faded to a distinct pink color. Also, some type of additional sign might be in order to indicate the location of District offices.

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Thursday, 22 April 2010
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CUSTER-STOUDT GYM

Mr. Lewis reported that a crack in the west wall of Custer-Stoudt Gym has not worsened and was probably caused by settling. It needs attention. He was asked if this facility could be “Pekinized,” or jazzed up a bit, with red and white paint perhaps, or in other ways. New lighting makes the room look blah and lack of decoration may lead some to consider this gym the “ugly stepchild.” Mrs. Davis wondered if Wrestling Program awards, records, and memorabilia could be placed on the walls. The Art Department may have ideas as the room is due for painting/redecorating.

EXTERIOR WALLS BY COLUMN ENTRANCE

Mr. Lewis said the heaving of exterior walls by the column entrance seems to have abated. This will require attention in the next couple of years.

ASPHALT RESURFACING & CURBING

Blacktop work may have to be done soon, speculated Mrs. Davis, perhaps by using the chip and tar method employed by the City of Pekin. Some areas on campus appear to need habitual repair, possibly due to drainage issues.

LETTERING ON THE COLUMNS

Mr. Alesandrini reported that the color of the lettering on the lintel connecting the columns render the letters difficult to read.

STADIUM TURF

Advantages of installing new turf in the Stadium were discussed, but Mr. Lewis noted that the cost might be as much as $250,000.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m. by Chairperson Alesandrini.

Respectfully Submitted,
Rick White, Recording Secretary