HomeMy WebLinkAboutCapital Projects December 1 1992WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
CAPITAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE
December 1, 1992
The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 1000 N. Forest
St., 2nd floor, by Daniel M. Warner, Chairman.
Also present: Absent:
Marge Laidlaw None
Robert Imhof
1. STATUS REPORT ON THE COURTHOUSE EXPANSION PROJECT
(AB92 -082)
Topics discussed: Schedule for completion of the Courthouse Expansion Project
(approximately February 20, 1993); window system for the expansion project; reason for the
delay of the completion date; approximate completion date for renovation of existing
building (October 23, 1993); change orders of $364,000 to date; asbestos removal;
unforeseen revisions; contractor items to be resolved; quality control; owner- requested
change orders; proposed sound system in the Council Chambers (AB92 -260); legal
implications of questioning an ongoing contract; performance specifications; revisions to the
irrigation system; existing agreement between the City and County regarding the
Courthouse, dating back to 1949, stating that the County does not have to pay for the water
it uses if the existing system remains in place; budget versus cost overruns.
The following safety issues were discussed: Incident claims filed since the start of the
Courthouse expansion; possible claims that could be filed upon taking occupancy of the new
building because of fumes from carpet, paint, etc.; air circulation problems; air balancing;
incident of the steel girder coming through a sixth floor window; evacuation plans and /or
the lack of; November gas leak evacuation; possibility of the County be cited for serious
violation by Labor and Industries for not fully evacuating the Courthouse; Public Works'
authority in making safety decisions; time loss costs; the possibility of the Contractor
covering some of those costs; request of many County employees to simply be advised of
possible safety problems so they can take the necessary precautions; the Welsh Report (on
file, AB92 -132); communication problem between Administration and employees; regular
updates through the voice -mail system of last minute construction issues and updates; second
and fourth Friday of the month meetings; Essential Employee Policy; need for Safety Office
to be more involved in the communication loop; actual claims that have been filed since the
start of the Expansion Project; reserves available to pay future claims.
Speakers: Public Works Director Paul Rushing; Project Director Vern Almon; Jim
Dickinson, Pioneer Sound; Deputy Public Works Director John Tyler; Personnel Specialist
Gail Kelley; Deputy Director Tom Sutberry; Personnel Director Larry Mans; Laidlaw;
Brenner; Warner.
2. STATUS REPORT ON THE NOR -BELL REMODEL AND THE
CONDITIONAL USE PROCESS OF THE HEARING EXAMINER (AB92-
377)
Topics discussed: Request on the conditional use permit; architect selection;
plumbing and roofing bids; alternatives for the roof; possibility of the building being a
historical landmark; availability of a Puget Power grant for the heat pump system; asbestos
removal; possible uses for the renovated building if Public Works departments should be
moved out of Nor -Bell and relocated downtown; future home of the Hearing Examiner need
for a traffic study in the Nor -Bell area; effects the proposed re- organization could have on
the departments housed in Nor -Bell.
Speakers: Tyler; Rushing; Laidlaw, Brenner; Harris.
Because there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 pm.
ATTEST:
CAPITAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE
sistant Clerk aniel M. Warner, Chairman
Capital Projects Minutes, 1211192, Page 2