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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-11-2007-11c...~rt~Qr-ma~-I-ior~ ...~-t-,e.m DATE: November 13, 2007 TO: Laura Blackmon, County Manager FROM: Wilbert McAdoo, Public Works Director RE: 10/23/2007 BOCC Meeting Follow-Up Action On October 23, 2007 the following information request were made regarding Whiffed Human Services Center Renovations. 10/23/2007 Provide a memo to the Manager on problem that have occurred at the Whiffed Complex after its renovation was completed in 2002. Include information on the Following items: A. The Library's meeting room's insufficient weight capacity Response: Bilger Engineering conducted a structural analysis of the A and B building. A number of corrections were made to the building structures. Building A the analysis revealed first floor offices and library conference room existing structure beams were too small for modern day office loads or crowded conference rooms. Management made the decision to delay making structural improvements due to available funding. Bilger Engineering, stated it is ok to continue to use the conference room but limit the occupancy to 20 people. Additionally Bilger states it is ok to use the offices as long as file cabinets and bookcases are placed along the perimeter. Orange County Inspections has posted the occupancy level of the Library conference room at 20-person occupancy. Once a decision is made on future use of the facility it would be prudent to consider improving the structural integrity of the building. There is no imminent danger of the structure failing. B. Chiller noise irritating nearby residents Response: Following installation of the new chiller neighbors surrounding the REWHS building neighbors complained about the noise. Orange County staff meet with neighbors and took corrective action to include installation on sound attenuation blankets on the compressors and sound blankets on two walls of the chiller enclosure. E.Inc. conducted five Industrial Hygiene Noise Samplings from November 2003 to June 2005 around the Whitted building. All five samplings results indicated that the chiller noise at no time during the testing emitted noise above the Orange County Noise Ordinance beyond the property border. While we have and can take additional measures to reduce the chiller noise we will not be able to eliminate the noise entirely. We have not received complaints from the neighbors since late 2005. C. Leaking doorways Response: The assumption is that leaking doorways refer to the front entrance doors to A building. The front landing area experienced deterioration and allowed water infiltration in the wall and doors. The replacement of the Library landing corrected this problem. Although some caulking and sealing work was performed when the historic wood door surround at the entrance to the Library was painted during the HVAC system replacement project, all sources of water infiltration were not discovered at this time. Years of hidden water infiltration between the slab and the building resulted in corrosion of structural steel components of the landing, requiring rebuilding of the landing in 2005/06, once the extent of damage became known. D. Crumbling vestibules Response: The assumption again is that reference is to the front landing entrance to the Library. The above response to C addresses the issue of replacement of the Library landing. E. Elevator malfunction During the past two months the elevator in the connecting corridor at Whiffed began to experience frequent failure. Upon investigation it was determined that a relay in the control board had failed. The elevator has been in service since the replacement of the relay. The refurbishment /modernization of the elevator approved by the Board at their October 23, 2007 meeting primarily will include replacement'of operating controls and components of the elevator, which will increase reliability. These controls include relays that tell the car when to slow down, when to open and close doors, etc. Some additional accessibility improvements are also included as part of the work to be completed. The car, hoist way, etc. are still considered to be in good operating condition and are not in need of replacement at this time. F. In addition, provide information on the contractors that performed the work and whether under funding of the renovations might have caused some of these problems. Response: Environmental Air Systems of Greensboro N.C. was the lead contractor for the Whiffed Renovation project and used sub-contractors for the different trade work as required. The contractors who performed work during and following the HVAC system replacement were professional and completed the work for which they were contracted in a professional manner. The project began as a HVAC system replacement and evolved into a major renovation project, to address building code, life safety issues, structural issues and other hidden conditions. The primary challenge faced during this project was due to hidden conditions that came to light once acoustic file ceilings, light fixtures and ductwork were removed. The biggest challenges we faced with the renovation related to the age of the building, prior renovations and modifications that created structural issues and the issue of trying to bring a 70-year-old building into compliance with current codes. The board approved additional funding of $475,000 for the Whined Human Services Renovation project on October 1, 2003 to address substantial change orders required to address the issues of building code, life safety, structural repairs, fire alarm system installation, bat guano eradication and asbestos abatement. Funding was a consideration and choices had to be made about which improvements to include and which improvements could be delayed. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact me. Wilbert McAdoo.