Members present: Patric Leedom, Butch Kotcamp, Elinda Boyles, Chris Pitts, Mark Moore, Sam Coppoletti, Randy Warman, Lori Perry, Butch Ferguson, Tracy Conn, Carl Daehler, and Chuck Warner

At 4:06 p.m. Patric Leedom called the meeting to order.

FIRST ITEM of business. American Electric Power [AEP] Rate Hike.
Patric stated that AEP is now in negotiations with the Ohio PUCO for the purpose of raising rates charged to customers. That no final decision has yet to be made. Butch Kotcamp provided specificity: AEP is asking to raise the rates over a three-year period. They are asking for 9% for the first year—AND to make that retroactive to January 1, 2009, 8% for the second year, and 9% for the third year. Butch K. indicated that the PUCO was not favorable toward the retroactive request.
SSU’s current cost for electricity is approximately $800,000.

800,000
X .09
72,000 Additional for 2009

872,000
X .08
69,760 Additional for 2010

941,760
X .09
84,758 Additional for 2011

1,026,518 for SSU’s annual cost for electricity.

Patric commented that while the UWFC has been focusing on ways to conserve energy for many years, the need is now even more urgent.

SECOND ITEM of business. Saving money through reduced computer usage. During a fall UWFC meeting, Chuck Warner introduced an experimental study that UIS would conduct, to assess the best configurations to adopt during non-business hours—After 10:30 PM at night and on weekends—in order to reduce SSU’s consumption of electricity. Chuck came to today’s meeting with an eight page preliminary report. Highlights of Chuck’s report. “Beginning with Windows 98, Microsoft implemented a new standard for power management known as ACPI, or Advanced Configuration Interface….Thus, Windows is able to shut down certain aspects of a system to save power while keeping other components active to save data and speed start-up times. This is commonly referred to as ‘sleep mode’.

[Note: This entire study and report only refer to PC’s, not to
Mac Intosh’s]

Chuck shared several parameters that could be used with the S3 Sleep Mode. He indicated that UIS was considering doing further pilot studies on the Administrative Computer Lab, [Massie 030], then including the Success Center Computer Labs. He suggested that UIS could focus upon the non-business hours of 10:30 PM until 7:30 AM.

Chuck reported that an early estimate for the savings of these identified labs would be annually approximately $8,000; if we included all student labs, then $14,000, and if faculty computers were included then the savings would be $21,000. A question that UIS has posed is, “Is this [savings] good enough?” UIS is concerned about the impact upon SSU students and staff.

Chuck directed our attention to pages 6 & 7 of his handout where UIS has raised five Policy Issues for S3 Sleep Project:

1. Is the amount of savings valuable enough to implement the project in labs?

2. Is the amount of savings valuable enough to implement the project in offices as well?

3. When a computer goes to sleep in a lab, will it: log off, lock, or do nothing?

4. When a computer goes to sleep in an office, will it: log off, lock, or do nothing?

5. How many minutes should the computer wait before going to sleep?

There was a lively discussion about how to proceed with the pilot studies. Finally it was agreed that Chuck Warner would contact the persons in charge of the various computer labs [30+ computing areas] and consult with each of them

THIRD ITEM of business: Butch Kotcamp gave an update status report on several campus projects.

1. University Center Renovation Project. At Patric’s request, Butch brought pictures of U.C.’s progress, and also directed us to the SSU Homepage website which has a video tour of the University Center.
In discussing the progress, Butch directed our attention to “Ellipse” which is that two-story metal structure going up on the north side of UC. It will be the new grand entry way. Butch commented that work is proceeding at a prodigious rate—contractor is going to two shifts, including weekends—and that currently, we are on schedule to meet the July 16th deadline for completion of Phase One. This does include installing the new kitchen and dining room facility.

Phase Two will be going into the existing UC and renovating identified spaces. For example, the Bookstore will be moving into the current Internet Café space.

Elinda commented that we will be adding 49,000 square feet! The current structure is only 40,000 square feet. Butch Kotcamp stated that with the additional square footage, it will drive up the cost of operation for the U.C. Patric stated that we would need to hire an additional custodian to help care for the new space; that historically, when SSU has built new buildings, it has not always added to the workforce.

Discussion focused on the new heating/cooling system which utilizes the aquifer under the building. Butch K. commented that it is a great improvement and there are thoughts about using that ground-water system for several of the buildings.

Multipurpose Field. Butch reported that this project is on track. They expect to receive the new documents for building on May 14th. Patric after observing the drawings, asked Butch for confirmation that the Multipurpose Field will fit exactly inside the existing fenced-in area occupied by the soccer field. Butch said that was accurate. The Multipurpose field will have a new drainage system—an improvement over the current field, and that it will have artificial turf. Someone asked if there was room for a running track? The answer is no. Butch further commented that they are in negotiations with the City of Portsmouth to install a Storm Water Retention Tank—to protect the city during heavy rain storms. The multipurpose field should be completed by the latter part of August or earlier part of September.

Founders’ Plaza. This is the plaza between the Administration Building and the Sports Complex, where the ground has settled creating stumbling hazards. The construction of a new plaza went out for bid, but the bids coming in were too high. So it is going out again—for re-bid.

At 4:55 PM, Mark Moore made a motion to adjourn, and the committee agreed. Patric adjourned the meeting, noting it was an historical first to finish early!

Respectfully submitted Patric Leedom, Chair, and occasional secretary.

 

Members present: Patric Leedom, Butch Kotcamp, Elinda Boyles, Keenan Perry, Carl Priode, Lori Perry, and Butch Ferguson

At 4:06 p.m. Patric Leedom called the meeting to order.

FIRST ITEM of business. Relocating the Multi-purpose Athletic Field and the possible location of a future Athletic support building.

Following the completion of the latest updated Campus Master Plan, President Morris made a commitment to move forward on constructing the Multi-purpose athletic Field. The original budget for this project was approximately 1.2 million dollars. SSU sent out RFPs for Professional Design Services and a committee selected an architect. When the construction estimates were completed, they were in the range of 2.4 million dollars. Given the current economic climate, this was unacceptable to the President. She requested that the Vice President of Finance, Elinda Boyles and the Facilities Planning Office, Butch Kotcamp, obtain alternate plans. These alternate plans are:

If we move both the Multipurpose Field and the future (not yet funded) accompanying Athletic (Recreation Center) support building from their current Campus Master Plan location, and place them on and adjacent to the existing soccer field, they will fit in the newly proposed Master Plan. This change would allow the new multi-purpose field to be built where the existing soccer field is located and the project would stay within the original budget of approximately 1.2 million.

Here is explanation. In order to keep the Multipurpose Field and Building in the CMP location:
1. The current parking lot occupying that location would have to be demolished.
2. Contractors would need to dig deep, and this would possibly encounter several old house basements that are just below the surface, and that excavation would be expensive.
3. SSU has fiber optic cables routed through that area, which may have needed to be relocated, adding additional costs to the project.
4. Borings in the existing parking lot confirmed that much of it is built with ‘fill’ material.
5. The existing soccer field would need to be demolished and a parking lot constructed.
6. Borings in the existing soccer field indicated that less areas of “fill” were found in this location.

By moving the Multipurpose Field to the area of the existing soccer field and securing space for a future Recreation Center Building (which is currently not part of this project) in this area:
1. The items in 1-3 above would not become an expense.
2. Only the soccer field and adjacent ground would need to be excavated.

Further discussion. By moving to the soccer field and adjacent area, one planned softball/baseball field is not identified for the time being.

Carl Priode expressed concern that it would mean several of our sports team would still need to commute to the west side of town to practice and play games.

Discussion was held about potential future master plan changes to incorporate the two fields and the fact that the biggest issue is the need for SSU to purchase property for any future development in this area.

Elinda emphasized that SSU budget has allocated 1.2 million but there are no funding sources beyond that amount to cover the 2.4 million.
Butch K. reminds the committee that during the development of the latest Campus Master Plan, that several people were asking for recreation facilities.

Carl P. mentions that as the student population at SSU grows, we will need more student recreation areas. He is concerned about the proximity of housing units to the recreation facilities, so that young women do not have far to go, especially at night.

Keenan P. then raises the question about what kind of lighting would be available at the Multipurpose Field. Butch K. responds that there will definitely be security lighting, but most likely there will not be the large game-type lighting.

Keenan asked about the soccer schedule.
Butch K. states that if SSU approves the new plan, with the support of the UWFC, that construction could get started in June. If weather holds the proposed schedule is to have completed by September. This schedule has been discussed with the athletic department.

After further discussion—Lori Perry asks about a possible ice rink. Butch Ferguson wanted to know about restrooms for players and observers, and Keenan wanted to know where vehicles would park near the field.

After discussion, the UWFC came to a consensus that we should endorse the new plan.

Patric asked for a vote, such that he and Elinda Boyles would author a Letter of Endorsement expressing UWFC support for the new plan. The vote was unanimous to do it.

SECOND ITEM of business. Identifying a new and additional parking Lot for Faculty and Staff. SSU employs over 400 people. There has never been specific places for all of them to park. The Massie Hall South Lot holds 130 + parking spaces. The President has charged facilities to identify additional faculty/staff parking. After considerable review of the grounds, two locations were identified as being available and that could be converted with minimal cost and in a timely manner. The areas are: 1) Where the Office Annex is now and will shortly be demolished, and 2) A back section of the existing student parking lot nestled up to the flood wall, and U.S. Grant Bridge.

Possible configurations were provided for both sites. The committee discussed the Office Annex location first. With the heavy traffic coming off the bridge from Kentucky and down 3rd Street, as well as other eastbound traffic on Second, it didn’t take the committee long to realize that a gated lot right off of Third Street would be untenable. Further, there is a No Left Turn into that lot for westbound traffic on 3rd Street.
Butch K. shared some drawings that indicated that once the new Founders’ Plaza—between the Administration Bldg and the Rhodes Sports Complex—is completed, the Gold Parking Lot will no longer exist south of the main thoroughfare, but will take up part of the existing lot west of the Vern Riffe Arts Center.

So then the focus was on the back southwestern lot. There were two drawings with various configurations of gates. The committee selected Option 1 which has the Entrance Gate four rows into the lot—thus not tying up traffic on Front Street, and the Exit gate across from the Dental Lab. This configuration yields 27 parking spaces.

Elinda states that this option would require installing two gates – so costs are held to those expenditures – discussion was also held about this option appearing to provide the safest and least disruption to traffic. Patric asked for a ‘Sense of the Committee’ and everyone voted for Option 1. Patric also requested approval for him and Elinda to proceed and write a Letter of Endorsement on behalf of UWFC. Approval was granted.

THIRD ITEM of business: Butch Kotcamp gave an update status report on several campus projects.
1. The Founders’ Plaza. Advertisement went out on Monday March 9, 2009. The bid opening will be March 31. Butch commented that never before had a project generated as much interest among contractors.
He further commented that since Gay Street used to run right through the middle of the plaza, that when they go to excavate, they run the risk of hitting old house foundations and abandoned utilities.

2. Pot Holes in the asphalt parking lots and driveways—will they be repaired by resurfacing? Butch reported that for the moment SSU will use ‘cold patch’; that as part of a 6 year Capital Plan, resurfacing is included.

3. University Center Renovation Project. The concrete has been poured for the first and second floors, and the Air Handling Equipment will be lifted by crane to the roof tomorrow. SSU expects that the building will be ‘Turn Key’ finished by July 16th. Immediately after that, $800,000 worth of kitchen equipment will be installed in the new kitchen. The old kitchen will then be converted into the new Book Store. Butch projects that Phase 2 of the project will be completed by January 16th, 2010. Butch commented that probably we will see two shifts, possible three shifts at work as we get moving inside the U.C. extension.

At precisely 5:00 PM, Patric called for adjournment.

After adjournment, discussion was held about something fun to do when the Office Annex is finally—after being discussed for 16+ years—demolished? There was favorable response that we might indeed like to come up with some ideas that would involve staff.

Respectfully submitted Patric Leedom, Chair, and occasional secretary.