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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-06-2002 - 5 JOINT MEETING ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS/ HILLSBOROUGH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: May 8, 2002 Action Agenda Item No. SUBJECT: Whiffed Human Services Center Improvements DEPARTMENT: Public Works 8 Purchasing PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No _. & Central Services ATTACHMENT(S); INFORMATION CONTACT: 1/24/02 Public Works Director Memo w/ Wilbert McAdoo, 245-2825 Diseased Tree Report and Pictures Pam Janes, 245-2650 Tree RemovallReplacement Brochure 3127102 Purchasing Director Memo TELEPHONE NUMBERS: 5/3102 Purchasing Director Memo Hillabarough 7324181 Chapel Hill 9684501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To provide a brief status raped on the County's improvement activities at the Whiffed Human Services Center. BACKGROUND: In recent months, the County has been planning and has now begun to carry out various improvements at the Whined Human Services Center on Weat Tryon Street in Hillsborough. There are a number of attachments to this abstract which outline recent, current, and future activities related to these improvements, which include, among others. • Paving of several parking lots • Relocation of various County vehicles to Increase availability of patron parking • Renovation of the Health Department clinic area Replacement of Whined Center HVAC system, ceilings, and lighting • Painting and floor covering replacements Removal and replacement of diseased trees FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with the status report on the County improvement activities at the Whined Human Services Center. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Beside receive the report for information only. ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS WlLapai J.MCA00 P.O.BOX 8181 Osfics: (919)245R615 Diki HMLSBOROUGH VC 24778 Pax: (919)6443016 To: John Link,County Manager Fmm: Wilbert McAdoo, Public Works Director CC: Rod Vleseh Assistant Manager January 26,2002 In the summer of 2000,Orange County Public Works staff determined that a thorough assessment and evaluation of the twelve maple trees surrounding the Richard E.Worried Human Services(REWHS) building located at Wit West Tryon St.in Hillsborough. N was warranted due to serious health and safety concerns (.a., risk M falling limbs). The Imes predate the County's acquisition of the building in 1975—exad figures on their ages are unknown. At that Ome,the observed condition of several of the trees indicated the possibility for loss of limbs, a particular concert during periods of severe weather when accompanied by high winds. Until recently, 5large sugar maples have bounded Me front of the property, near the nealning wall, while 0 red maples have bounded the east side of the building,mashooking a busy parking lot. However,the Public Works Departments concerts with Me trees were recently heightened wren a red maple located on the east side of the building fell down during a fairly typical storm In Onobarof 2001. Nthough no one was injured some property damage did occur, and Me risk of personal injury to County residers or staff Is a major concern. As you are aware, REWHS houses County departments and agencies providing a variety of services to County leaders, including beat and social services. As such, it experiences a constant irrflux of visitors, many of whom are young families, disabled or elderly. In November of 2001, Public Works staff contracted in an evaluation of each tree from Dr. James R. McGraw, Professor of Forestry and Extension Urban Forestry SperJanst war Me North Carolina CoopereEve Extension SeMce at NC Stara University. Unfortunately, Dr. McGraw confirmed many of Public Work's concerns with the properys remaining eleven trees. He stated in a letter dated Dec.5,2001,(Attachment 1),'An executive summary of nny examination of these eleven trees is: tree 42,#3,#5,#6,#E and #12 need to _ 3 be removed immediately;tree#1, #4, #7 and#11 need corrective pinning immediately in exist t o e liminate various numbers of detective parts in their crowns; and tree#10 needs an aerial Inspection of the crown's branchwood and elimination of further damage to the surface roots near the base of the tree." (Trees are platted by number in Attachment 2). The problems the meat-damaged trees are exhibiting, according to Dr. McGraw, include extensive cavities, deadwood and defedive branches (ses examples of damage in the photos in Attachment 3). He also said Nat,"Due W the siting of each of these eleven maples, adjacent to either pedestrian entryways,a municipal street, parking or overhead scandal u4lity lines and the unpredictable defective structural conditions listed, expedient corteMlve pruning or removal of these trees as described for each area would be mast anti At this time, Public Works staff recommends the removal of all eleven maples and the replacement of each one with a has of the same type, about 6"in diameter and reaching to approximately 20 feet in height. The trees will be moved back from the existing retaining well Into a better position that will prevent problems with the did bee's mot systems. AtwelMlree will replace the one that fell and a thirteenth tree will ba added In the east side of fine building. Each b60 will be replaced with the same type that was previously there: sugar maples along the front of the building and red maples along the side. Reasons W consider replacing and changing the position of all trees: Providing improved mat Town area; Increasing distance from to retaining wall to allow room for mot growth; Providing adequate mulch area ring which should be sized to about 6; Providing adequate watering area; Providing shade for the building; Creating symmetry in locating trees in line amund building of lch improves aesthetics and Providing Increased distance from overhead power lines. All of these tree removals and installations would be conducted by area professionals with experience in the Told through a competitive bidding process. Every effort to follow recommended maintenance plans for the new trees would then be followed. I met with the Hillsborough Tree Board on January 16,2002 and Vie members unanimously approved the recommendation to remove eleven trees and one stump and install the 13 new maples. The estimated cast of tree removal and replacement is$25,000 to$30,000, Funds are currently available In the Count's previously approved Capital Investment Plan. Upon your approval to proceed.Orange County Public Works staff will work with Purchasing Department staff to develop spedifcations and solicit proposals to complete the tree removal and installation. Please note that Dr. McGraw suggests that we have an impending liability which well expedient conective action Should you have questions or need remission please contact me at 245-2627. Table i Identification Tree Cond2on Summery Frolacement Tree Tree Two cavillee and decayirg stub F tllameter sugar maple endroling upper Wnk. Cme2 Cavity zMan mearsasalmost a lira of U diameter sugar maple the upper hurl Cilcumferenne. Re®tlual souncl adjacem to this �M is aim of Tn"Ident Mlckness Trees pecaying cavlrywnim enelrcJes alms s"diameter auger maple a Ind of the upper trunKs sums The ale Branches wiM CavNes and additional Tdlameter augar maple dearl in Ore crown. Trees Crown full of Selective immune , s"diameter sugar maple Trec6 Downcast stubs almond the weer E diameter""maple flunk Several tommAme;thrown me or more avties. Tree] DadwaM IvadledMmyhW Cmun. T dim for red maple Trea6 Exleneve,acffiNld and brenchvrocU 6Nameter red maple f riuRa TMe9 Fallon in5wm. V diameter red maple Trta 1B Damaged surface mots. Wdierim ar red maple Tree 11 Thal long dlocaying area F diameter red maple Defective branch wilkM1 extends tawaNa the parl for. 7 5 i2 Srotm damage,all major branches in W diameterredmaple the erorm nave caviliee and other derma ast�.rl i Nortll Carolina Cooperative Enension Servi ma:oo remmv v.pwmmar�,mr Cepus BV® _ _ Nets GtlYe Sum M'rvvtity December 5,2001 mklgk worn aouu retsmm 91951SSM MIm1 919 6156a Ilse Mr.Wilbert 1.McAdoo,Director Orange County Public Works P.O.Box 8181 11Jlsbomugh,NC 27278 ' Dear Mr.McAdoo: At your reyueat.I visited the Richard E.Whined Human Services Center on Tryon Street in Hillsborough on Novenrber 28,2001,to estuaries the structured condition of eleven large maples located on the grounds of that public building complex. P ioaaly,you hod accompanied mew tae site and provided me a sketch oft he property denoting each tree's locati on and yew numerical identification fin ems tree. I have attached an mandated copy of the International Society efArboricnttuae's`Tree Hazard Evafstion Form"for each of the Me;examined plus as mounted copy of the sketch map of the site. The numerical hazard none determination(failure Potential plus size of defective hazardous part(s)set target rating),bazeed abatement recommwdatiens and comrens Jenson we locawi mthe bottom of the back of each Me's form. Each form mpom runny detailsloondithus observed during my examination;however,mmy of firs aMervations aiming synapsis, should notasets:tathese here dodproossess additional em thefsort property, one aM1tuldataromasthat dr9e Mea do not possess additional do®b m fife mdpmpnty, An executive sunvnery of my nomination oftheae shoves bees be Me#2,#3,#5,#0, its and#12 need to be removed immedutely,tare#1,#4,47 and 411 nand corrective pruning Monediatehy in order to eliminate various numbus ofdefetive parts in then¢ewer;med Me 910 needs m serial inspection ofthe crown's branchwood and elimivatiev of father detonate w the sorfoe rents near the base of the tax. Tree 91,a 299 inches in diameter(diameter-at-brnstMight(dbh))sugar nupls,bss two cavities and a decaying shl6.uaitnling fe upper hlmk imrnediately below the divergence of the four main scaffold branches of the crows At this time,the extend of these decaying mean do not Warrant bsoaad reduction pruning noel addition aerial inspection is needed to eliminae the hazard potential ofthe defx[ive branchwood in the mnwm. 7 Tree#2,a 27.7-inch dish sugar maple,bas a cavity which mcimles almost a third of the upper mask's cvcumference and extends upward into the base of major scaffold tomato off Ne north aide ofthe upper trunk Thereaduod soumdwooi acijacemtto this cavity is also of uuvfficicnt tldchness. The hazard potediiat of this major complex defect warrants the immediate removal Oftivs lose. - Tres#3,a 30.34noh dish sugar maple,bas a decaying cavity which mescles almost a th of ofthe upper mwk's eimutnfinence and e#ends upward into Its baso of the verrienl and lwo north side acatf Idbravches. The hezerdpolmdal ofthis major complm defect wasam e; Ne immediate removal of this tree. Tree 44,a27.1-inch dish sugar maple,has several branches witty cavities and additional deadwood m the wwv which requires immediate removal to reduce tha hssar i poteopal of these defective branches. Tree#S,m 18.1-ivWrdbb sugarmaple,has a crown fill ofdefeetivebmvchce. The rmctive pwdvg neccesaryto eliminate the hazard pnaed by the defectivebrenches would produce a diedgusai relic. Therefore,the immediate removal of dais tree is the most appropriae admricultmW action both estlemically aad safety-wise. Tree#6,a 16.]--inch dish sugar maple.has many,deadwood subs around the upper mmk m the base ofthe divergence oftbe emwn's branches. In edditiov,severzl ofNe croav's branches have one Or more cavities. The corrective prmdng necessary m eliminate the haurds posed by Nest defective branches would produce a disfigured refit. Therefosc,the immediate removal Of IRS tree is the most appropriae mboricWturdl action both esthetically end aafdy- Tr«#],a 111-mob dish red maple,needs immediate correa dive psming m remove the deadwood scattered throughout its mown. Tree#$a 19.1-inch dish red maple,has extensive scadDa ld and branchwood failures asses ed previous sNrm aetiw. The cedbxive es sou necessary to etimiume vatic. Possessed by these defective scaffolds and branches the would produce a disfigured relic. Therefore,the iy cold eremovil of this nee is Ne non appropriatelyarboricWmnal action both esthetically end safeH.wisc. Tree tN is missing from to compl m at and was reported m me as having recently fallen info We adjacwt padrivg I.I. Toe#10,a 23.6-inch doh red maple,has many,damaged suxfaca rolls around the base of dm tree. Continuation of the deleterious mot damage needs m be elbWttated. Alargo - mull area around this tree would be an appropriate means of eliminating further damage to NesesmfammOts. AnaeriWinapccfionofthccrown'sb chwmdmWsorecommmded. Tree 411,a 31.2-inch diameterred=Ple,bas a3-foot long,verrical decaying area on the seuthwestan side of the trunk which requires futue mvaitming and a defective branch which Wards towards the parking lot This defective branch needs immediate removal. TreC 412,a 29-inch dbh red maple,has pmiowaysunainedcalar eive storm damage mm all major branches in me crown have caviCn,sM nth¢def¢ra ofsulScient size m rniuire marre royal. The corrective pwdngvecesrary to eliminate tbesedefective branches would Produce a didiumed rolic. Tberefine,the immediate removal of this tree is me most appropriate arboricultnat action bom eathedcmly and safety-wine. Due to the sting of each of mesa eleven maples,adjacent to eimerpedestrOm mmywaya, mmdciPm street,paling or ovabeed electrical utility lines and the unpredictable defective etructumd conditions IiatM,expedient corrective Pruning or removed of muse trees as described for eacti one would be mast pendent IT can be Of assistance regarding mis or oma urban lines by mareen plmae do not heaimm m cement me. Sincerely, Prof ofPorestry • And Ezteosion Urban Fmeatry Spaialist .IRMfjp W.Royce,. ..n Pblhp B.liay q . . Ll f[ LJ C y �t �t�zs s t x t, y y A t ¢ V rr £ 7 H � ' Y i x C IY � qqLh t .ytl L4 �.� 3: IW �sriyN Zh ", i; y k �a i Y5 If If If i y a *t I � r a a 3 5 � � If n _ n rrg ° 4 " i {OfP i` f 1f'/ i C Z •4�.. Y *e !- a i m G r t p ci IT 6 t ' . I kYe I v. LL LI � 'y` .. 'Ilk vfa th ,FV�s��'� �4 '1 = ➢ e '° � "� Per� % � 9 ,t he Richard E. Whiffed Human Services Building �Fao Spring, 2002 e CojI FuNic VI 10 111.81 nee Removal and Replacement Project 111.,919)24 s ma, K .9) IMMMMInFIn"I NOME FIFFFIFF,MM II 11F AM VFM 1*.1 1111. 1,.. em. MI 1116 MI M M N¢oltlry mopl¢liaes .. a ^,^_IFFIF In". MFFF FMMFI MMI ......_F.......,..__. ...,. ...o w..._.... ._,...9)......M. ..... m¢Iloe 18 MEMORANDUM T0- John Link, County Manager County Commissioners - From: Pam Jones, Director of Purchasing and Central Services RE: Whiffed Building Projects Date: March 27, 2002 You will be discussing issues related to the Whited Building as part of your April 3, 2002 work session with the Board of Health. In order to provide some context for the issues discussed during that meeting, I am providing an overview of all of the projects scheduled at the facility in the near future. I would particularly direct your attention to the Option 5 under`Special Considerations'found on page four of this memorandum. Dr. Rosemary Summers will be providing more specific information about this matter dunng the work session. The projects, listed below, are significant In scope and will impact the employees working in the building as well as the cid ens whom they serve: 1. Parking lolimprovements 2. Renovation of be Health Department clinic area 3. Replacement of the HVAC system, callings and lighting in the Whiffed Building and the Recreation Building 4. General Painting and floorcovering replacement Parking Lot Improvements The Whited Building has a total of four parking areas to accommodate both public and staff parking at the site. None of the areas are currently paved. Funds available through the Capital Investment Plan (CIP)will allow us to pave the lot at the corner of Hassell and Tryon Streets as well as the lot to the east of the building. The combined total number of spaces on the paved lots a estimated to be 80. One of the four areas is presently used exclusively to park the OPT buses. Thisarea, which is estimated to accommodate approximately 38 vehicles will be opened up for public parking when the OPT buses are re-located to the Public Works campus on Highway86N, Hi11sborough. While funding is not available to pave this portion ofthe lot, improvements will be made to the area to make it more suitable for public access. This move is anticipated by Apnl 15, 2002.. - The parting area to the north of the Whited Building will accommodate approximately 62 vehicles. As in the previous instance,funding Is not available to pave this portion of the lot, however, improvements will be made to the area to make it more suitable for parking by the public and employees. Whined Projects Update March 27, 2002 Page 2 Understanding the significant parking issues that exist at the building and desiring to ensure that both the members of the public and the employees have adequate access to parking, Department Heads from the Whited Building devised the fallowing parking plan: • The each to be paved lot at the comer of Hassell and Tryon Streets will be designated and signed for public parking only. • The to be improved, unpaved lot currently used by the OPT buses,will also be designated and signed for public parking.. • The soon to he paved lotto the east of the building will be designated and signed for employee parking; • The to be improved, unpaved lot to the north of the building will be designated and signed for employee parting. • Al onatreet parking will be public parking only. • Employees will be issued parking hangings that hang from the mirmrof their vehicle. As mentioned by the Manager during the March 19 County Commissioners meeting, the Town of Hillsborough Manager has offered to explore with the County the possibility of developing a limited number of additional parking spaces on Hassell Street to the west of the facility. The County and Town Engineers will dammtine the feasibility of this approach. If deemed advisable, it will be included in the paving bid solicited by the County as an alternate so that we may isolate the met and make an informed decision as to its overall value. The specifications for the paving project are currently being completed and will be submitted for review W the appropriate regulatory agencies very soon. We anticipate that the project may be bid such that an award may be made poor to June 30,2002, The work, estimated to take$046 days,will be completed over the summer. Health Department Clinic Renovation Dr. Rosemary Summers, Health Director identified the need to re-vamp the Hillaborough clinic area some time ago. The project consists of changing the floor plan such that the dient flow will be more ordery, thereby making the operation in general more efficient. It will also address OSHA standards for flooring that can be disinfected in the clinical area (the existing carpet cannot be disinfected). Furher, the renovation will address heretofore-unmet specialized needs, such as the creation of a negative pressure treatment room for TS patients and mom functional pharmacy and lab areas. This project th anticpated to require approximately four-six months to complete. The HVAC replacement project will require that areas be vacated while the ceilings are removed and ductwork is replaced. For this reason, the Clinic renovation was designed to be bid In tandem with that project, although funded separately. Whined Projects Update a0 March 27, 2002 Page 3 The Clinic renovation will be funded through Medicaid Maximization funds. As you know, the federal government requires that each state °set aside" a portion of annual Medicaid earnings as a contingency to avoid over expenditures. The funds are referred to as 'federal coat settlement funds' or "Medicaid maximization funds'. Should the federal government not need to use the withheld funds, It reimburses the funds to the State on an annual basis. These funds are to be used for cast-based reimbursement for public providers of Medicaid services. Renovation of the Clinic is consistent with allowable uses of the approximately$225,000 available at this time. HVAC System Calling and Lighting Replacement The replacement of the HVAC system is a project of significant size and impact. The project includes not only replacement of the air handling equipment but also line ductwork, all above ceiling control valves and the ceiling Itself. New energy efficient lighting will be added as well. It would be both unsafe and unhealthy for the building occupants If this extensive work were to be conducted while areas remain occupied. For that reason, we requested that a phasing plan be developed that would allow the work to progress expeditiously, but leave the building occupants in place during as much of the project as possible. The engineer, Reece, Noland & McElrath has provided three phasing options as follows: • 12-month construction time. The option that would complete the work within 12 months requires the County to vacate the entire building at one time. This would require us to find alternative office space for approximately 150 employees for the full year. 15-month construction tlme. The second option creates five distinctive • components over the approximately 15-month construction time period as follows: 1. Recreation Building 2. All of Building B,which Includes the Health Clinic and part of DSS. 3. First floor Building A 4. Second floor Building A 5. Thim floor Building • 20-month construction time The thim option develops twelve phasing areas as follows: 1. Centel Red. Lower Level 2. Central Rec. Gym 3. Library 4. B Building Second Floor 5. B Building Firer Floor 0. B Building Ground Floor 7. A Building Second Floor 8, A Building First Floor Right Side 9. A Building First Floor Left Side 10.A Building Basement Adult Day Care 1I.A Building Basement Left Side 12.A Building Basement Right Side Winded Pmjects Update March 2],2002 Page 4 Using the following mtional6,we have recommended that the engineer pursue the second option (15 months duration): • The flrst option would require a significant expenditure in time and money to find, retrofit and relocate the entire Whited service group to an af[emative location. Further, per the cost estimates provided by the engineer, Me potential cost savings from this bidding method would rat have been significant and would not have covered the cost of the alternative space. • The third option would require the contractors to stay in almost a constant state of mobilization throughout the duration of the job. The Public Works stall"and/or their moving contractor would have been on site frequently moving people In and out of offices to make mom for the next phase of work. Further,the constant rotafion of employees made necessary by this option could potentially prove extremely confusing and disconcerting to the clients seeking service. Additionally, the wort areas were too small for the contractor to make consistent aggressive headway on the project. This option would not only have been significantly more expensive, per the engineers cost estimate, but would have presented many mare opportunities to derail the construction schedule because of the extensive mobilization. The second option was considered most favorable to the overall project. It allowa the work to be sectionalized to give the contractor an acceptable work area such that the project can progress body aggressively. Further,this option minimizes the disruption of the staff and the public whom May serve by relocating them one time and for a limited perlodoffime. While the parental bids are likaly[o be more undarthls option than if we could vacate the building entirely, according to the engineering estimates,the difference should be reasonable. General Painting and Floor Covering Replacement As the HVAC and creilingdigh ing installation is completed, each area will be repainted and the floor covering replaced. The goal is to allow the workers to feel as if they are returning to new space. Special Considerations The construction schadule should be reasonably certain within the next few weeks, after the regulatory agency approvals have been received. We continue to explore options for relocating employees during the construction period, but have not finalized plans. pending approval of fie plans and associated tmelines. Options Nat we have considered are as follows: 1. Departments may double up with other Departments and/or their own department that may be located in unaffected areas of Me building. 2. Temporary workspace may be established In the Recreation Building using cubicles. 3. Su pervisom may choose to allow some employees to telecommute for certain periods of time and for certain jobs. Whitted Projects Update March 27, 2002 Page 5 4. Supervisors may choose to relocate some employees to other County facilities (for example, some may temporarily work out of Southern Human Services Center or Homestead Community Center). 5. Modular office units may be used. In particular, temporary cilnic space may be established through the utilization of ranted modular units built for such a purpose. The Health Director has received proposals for two rental units designated to meet this need during the approximately six months needed to complete HVAC replacement and clinic renovation. The County staff and the engineers will be meeting with Department Heads located In the W hilted Building within the next couple of weeks to determine the combination of options that will make the move least painful to the county staff and public. We will keep the you and the Board apprised as more information becomes available. Should you have questions, please contact me already at 245-2652. a3 County of Orange - Department of Purchasing $ Central Services Pamela K. Sons, Director Memorandum TO: John Link, County Manager From: Pent Jones.Director of Purchasing and Central services Will McAdoo, Public Works Director RE: Irfwmatbnal Meeting for the Whiled Neighborhood Dale: May 3, 2002 CC: County Commissioners The County Commissioners have requested that an informational meeting be wi ieduled to inform the Whirled Building neighborhootl about me various projects that will occur at the facility in the nearfrture. Wilbert and I met yesterday to oul plans forthls meeting and In the absence of input from you or the Board to the contrary, propose the following: • The meeting would ca held on Wednesday,May 15, 2002 between 5 and 7 pm In the Library conference room. • The Public Works Department will prepare display beams reflecting the various proj8=proposed W the building, including: • Parking lot paving project HVAC and lighting replacement project Health Department Clinic renovation Aesthetic Improvements,such as painting and floor cari replacement update on the replacement of me trees • Further.the such will be prepared to discuss the temporary changes that residents may see In the neighborhood as a result armless project. Forexample: • The County will seek to loots modular units to be used for temporary office space for displaced workers during the HVACAIgMing renovation. The neighbors will be able to see where we propose to boots the units, contingent upon the Town's approval, as well as him long May will be needed at Nat location. • Hours of work W the construction company and Me potential after-hours activities that he neighbors may see will be discussed(Note: neighbors should not be Impacted by noise,but may sae additional lights on until later In the evening during certain periods of the HVAC renovation). P.O. Box 8101'132 East fire Arrest`Hillsborough,North Carolina 27278 Telephone: Area Code 919 245-2652 Fox'. 641001 E-moil'. P.ioneseco.mxm9e.ni aq The meaning would be formatted as an Informal walk-about meeting so the residents o could spend their time with to component(s)of the project about which they are most Interested. Staff knowledgeable about the projects would be stationed at each of the display boards and would be able to answer questions raised by We residents as well as to offer information about Nat component of the project. We have attempted to structure the ne"Ing such that all residents will have an equal opportunity toleave their questions answered and their wincems considered. Light refreshments will be offered. We would welcome your comments and suggestions regarding the proposed format. Although it goes without saying,we Invite both you and the Stood to drop In and participate in whatever manner you may cri