ROCKLEDGE BOROUGH COUNCIL
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
OF June 6, 2005

A special session of the Rockledge Borough Council met at 7:30 p.m. on June 6, 2005, at the Rockledge Volunteer Fire Company to discuss change orders received from Altchem regarding the renovations at One Park Avenue and 121 Huntingdon Pike. Roll was called as follows: Mrs. Walz, Mr. Mori, Mr. Beady, Mr. Kelleher, Mr. Caffrey, Mr. Casey and Mayor Costello. Mike Gresko (architect from Kise Straw & Kolodner) was also present.

Mrs. Walz turned the meeting over to Mr. Beady, Chair of the Property Committee. Mr. Beady stated that each change order would be reviewed, with Mr. Gresko explaining each one. Mr. Mori asked if procedure would now be to hold a special meeting to vote on every change order. Mr. Beady answered that there has been some discussion regarding allowing the Property Committee to handle decisions on change orders up to a certain amount, possibly $10,000. Mr. Mori stated he agreed with this idea, but felt $10,000 was too high. Mr. Mori suggested an amount not exceeding $5,000. Mr. Truman stated that an amount over $5,000 would more likely be a sensible amount. Mr. Casey suggested $7,500. Mr. Beady stated that as a member of the Property Committee himself, if he felt unsure about making a decision on a change order regardless of the dollar amount, he would consult every Council member for their input. Mrs. Walz made a motion to allow the Property Committee to authorize changes up to $7,500.00. The vote was 5:1; with Mr. Mori giving the nay vote.

Mr. Gresko started off with the change order regarding removing the entire front façade of the Police Station and rebuilding the whole first floor as new construction for a price of $19,800. This is not in the contract; it was merely a suggestion raised in order to make the building 100% new. Mr. Denelsbeck asked Altchem for a price on this. Mr. Gresko has suggested this be put on hold until the job is further along. Mr. Kelleher asked about an issue that has been raised about the main beam running across the front façade and the building looking as if it was separating in the front. Mr. Gresko stated that a structural engineer has looked at the beam and there is nothing wrong with the beam or the front wall structurally. Mr. Casey asked about the front of the building looking as if it were separating from the side wall which has been filled with insulation foam. Mr. Gresko stated that this is part of the entranceway to the dance studio next door. There is some type of mortar separation, but it is nothing structural. It was agreed that this change order would be put on hold.

Remove wood floor and concrete fill (Police Station): Mr. Gresko feels that this is a necessary change order as the wood floor has termite damage and the floor elevations are off by almost 2 ½” in the back. This change order is connected to another change order regarding steel columns for police interior center beam. When the foundation work was done for the new edition, it was discovered that the building does not have deep footings. As a result of this, the building would need to be either underpinned or a new design would need to be found to support the beam. By pouring a concrete floor a mesh reinforcement pad could be installed in the area where a foundation is needed. This alternative would alleviate underpinning the building which could run $55,000-60,000. Mr. Kelleher questioned whether the underpinning issue was something that should have originally been caught in the bid. Mr. Gresko stated that when the proposal was put together it was stated that Kise Straw Kolodner would do a partition layout survey of both buildings. There was no testing such as core samples of the floors or walls because this was not in the bid. Mr. Kelleher questioned whether the existing building will support the weight of the second floor. Mr. Gresko assured Mr. Kelleher that the weight capacity is 100 pounds per sq. foot. Mr. Gresko stated that the only way it would have been determined if the existing building had footers would have been to rip up the driveway for a survey; this was not in the scope of work. Mr. Beady asked Mr. Gresko who would have decided whether a survey was to be done. Mr. Gresko answered that he believed it would have been decided between Troy Madres (former Borough Manager) and John Gibbons (Kise Straw Kolodner). Mr. Gresko commented that were a full blown survey performed on both buildings, it would have been costly. Mr. Beady suggested that possibly this is the reason that it was not done; however, it appears that Council was not aware that this decision was ever made. Mr. Mori stated that the idea of an extensive survey was never presented to Council for vote. Mr. Gresko stated that Mr. Madres was aware that the only sure way to correct the water problem at the RCC was to dig up the playground and determine the problem. It was decided not to do this as it would be costly. Mr. Beady requested an estimate from Mr. Gresko regarding this. Mayor Costello suggested that research can be done regarding the procedures that were taken in the early decision making.

Mr. Mori stated that he feels that the issue of the wood floor should have been known since you could see the wood floor from the bathroom. He stated that at the end of the wood floor was a painted wooden beam inside the Police Station. Mr. Gresko stated this must have been covered as it was not seen. Mr. Beady made a motion to demolish the wood floor and fill in with concrete. Mr. Kelleher asked if Altchem is given the change order and then find out that Kise was negligent, would the Borough have any options. Mr. Gresko stated that if that were the case, the Borough could then take Kise to arbitration. All were in favor of this motion.

Painting of the steel beam: Mr. Gresko did not see the physical change order for this item. He stated this is something that can be put on hold as it is not a structural issue. This beam will be buried behind the new marquis and will be protected from the weather. Mr. Gresko will look into this change order and get back to Council regarding the $1,500 cost. Mr. Mori asked Mr. Gresko if the beam was not painted would it continue to decay. Mr. Gresko stated that once it is enclosed and air tight, the rusting would stop.

Additional asphalt work: There is a strip of property along where the new retaining wall will be at the Police Station that will have to be dug up. Mr. Hines, the property owner, requested that instead of this being re-seeded, that the Borough pave this section. Mr. Gresko stated that when they did the foundations for the new addition, a cistern was found out of the building footprint in the front yard. It was proposed to have an asphalt cover on top of that section. They decided to leave it in the ground. It has a concrete cap on it. It is now just going to be graded and seeded and it will be a credit back to the Borough. Mr. Gresko suggested taking that credit and applying it to Mr. Hines’ asphalt work. Mr. Gresko will check the numbers to see if it will be an even credit. Mr. Beady questioned if $168.00 will also be a credit to the Borough since we will not be using the topsoil and seed. Mr. Gresko stated we could also keep the credit from the asphalt and just have another contractor (possibly someone local) to do the paving on Mr. Hines’ property. Mr. Mori asked Mr. Gresko if he felt the paving price from Altchem was fair. Mr. Gresko felt it was a little hefty at $1,190.00 for about 3-4’ of paving. Mr. Mori motioned to deny the additional asphalt work. All were in favor. Mr. Mori requested that the minutes reflect that the Borough will explore other alternatives to satisfy Mr. Hines’ request.

Cracks in wall for Room 005 in Police Station: when the window in the bathroom of the Police Station was installed a lentil was not installed above the CMU wall. When the finishes were torn out, the wall was actually cracked and needs a concrete pad on corner. Motion was made to approve this change order. All were in favor.

Metal stud walls in RCC: after interior finishes were removed back to existing construction, the silk plates were found to be rusted. The wood areas were found to have water and mostly termite damage. These plates need to be replaced. Mr. Gresko will spray paint all plates he feels need to be removed. Mr. Kelleher questioned the $4,664 cost. Mr. Gresko and Mr. Beady confirmed that there is a lot of wood to be replaced. Mr. Truman stated that Humphreys Pest Control checked the termite damage and confirmed that it is all old damage. The termite problem over at the Police Station has yet to be treated, since they will be taking out the wood floor. After the floor is removed, Humphreys will treat damage at Police Station. Motion was made to hold off on this change order until Mr. Gresko determines exactly how much wood needs to be replaced and will then verify the cost. It will then be referred back to the Property Committee for approval. All were in favor.

Mr. Truman made note that whenever the Property Committee votes on a change order, they will be notifying the rest of the Council at the next meeting.

ADA door swings at three locations and add door closers (RCC): Lee Denner (Rockledge Building Inspector) made these recommendations. He made recommendations for panic hardware on all doors. These recommendations were made strictly for fire safety measures. Mr. Mori made a motion to accept this change order. All were in favor.

Four inch vent pipe in Room 010 – close in pipe work (RCC): Mr. Gresko explained that this has to be enclosed for a safety issue. This pipe was not discovered until after the RCC demolition was complete. Motion was made to accept this change order. All were in favor.

Replace gas line 1” and ¾” (Police Station): existing was half-inch and they are replacing with 1.” Mr. Kelleher questioned the price of $985.00 for this job. Mr. Gresko will verify the price of this change order and get back to Property Committee.

Delete paving and replace with topsoil and seed (Police Station): Credit for $186.00. Mr. Gresko will verify and report back to Property Committee.

Second cistern under Police Station in pad area: this is around 60’ in diameter and 30’ below grade. It is located right in the middle of the existing building and the new addition. It is not 100% cylindrical and loses its structural capacity to hold anything above it. This change order will be to fill it with lean concrete. Mr. Beady made a motion to accept this change order. All were in favor.

Structural remediation of the Community Center: this involves some floor joists from the first floor. The ends going into the wall are rotted out by termite damage and/or water damage. Mr. Gresko has proposed that they move the wall out in the kitchen 16.” Mr. Gresko will verify the cost of $1,460. Once verified the Property Committee will make a decision on this change order.

Slab elevation at RCC: This was not discovered until the demolition was complete. This will be put on hold until Mr. Gresko can verify and will get back to Property Committee.

Steel columns for Police interior center beam: In order to avoid underpinning the building, mesh reinforcement will be placed and will be used as a foundation for the column. This column will be buried in a wall. Mr. Beady motioned to accept this change order. All were in favor. Mr. Kelleher noted that he is in favor of this change order, but would like some research done as to why this was not included in bid.

Mr. Kelleher brought up some questions he had regarding the minutes from the Construction Meeting held on May 18, 2005. Mr. Gresko answered all questions to Mr. Kelleher’s satisfaction.

Mr. Kelleher raised the question regarding changing the three-phase service included in the bid to single phase service. Mr. Gresko confirmed that there will be a decent credit for this change.

Mr. Beady requested an estimate from Mr. Gresko to dig up in front of the RCC to check for water problems. Mr. Gresko will get this estimate. Mr. Gresko made mention of some of the areas in the wall having large deterioration with the stone itself. There are several large areas that need to be repointed. Where the concrete meets the existing building there is a large crack. That will be cleaned out and filled with a three-part hypoxia system that will fill the crack. Mr. Kelleher asked Mr. Gresko his opinion on whether he felt if the water was coming into the RCC from underneath. Mr. Gresko stated he felt it was coming in through the crack.

Chief Leary stated to Mr. Gresko that he would like the numeric keypad lock presently on Borough Office door re-installed on the front door of the new Police Station.

Mayor Costello referred to the Construction Meeting minutes of June 1, Item 3-10, regarding access to the Fire Station Hall. Currently, the Fire Company does not have any access to the rear hall entrance. Mr. Truman stated he spoke with the Altchem foreman today and requested that a safe foot path be cleared for the caterer, DJ, etc., The foreman stated as soon as the change order for the wood floor is approved, the lumber currently there will be removed. Mayor Costello stated that the contractors left all of their trash in back of the firehouse over the weekend. Mr. Gresko assured Mayor Costello that he would speak with Barry Portnoy, President of Altchem, tomorrow to ensure that this matter is handled.

Mr. Beady made a motion to adjourn. All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Grace Metzinger
Assistant Borough Manager