LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Administrative Center – Room 3220

4:00 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Vicki Burke, Ann Fisher, Tom Rauk, Ray Ebert, Maureen Freedland, John Medinger, Sharon Hampson, Jim Berns        

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Beverly Mach and Joe Veenstra        

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None

STAFF & GUESTS:  Steve O’Malley, Jim Speropulos, Gary Ingvalson, Steve Helgeson, Doris Daggett, Jerry Severson, Paul Brummund, Val Schute, Don Carlson, Mike Seichter, Jody Shaw, Chris Pinkowski, James Poehling, Robert Poehling, Bev Heebsh, Jai Johnson, Jill Billings, Reid Magney & other media, Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER

Committee Chair Vicki Burke called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

None requested.  An informational sheet entitled, “Benefits of LEED Certification” was distributed as compiled by the Coulee Partners for Sustainability.  

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Medinger/Fisher to approve minutes of April 8, 2008.  Motion carried unanimously; Mach and Veenstra excused.  

PRESENTATION:  ESTIMATED COST AND PAYBACK TO MEET REQUIREMENTS FOR LEED CERTIFICATION

First a question by Supervisor Medinger; are there other companies or competition for this purpose, noting Green Globe and possibly less expensive.  Jody Shaw noted there are other certification systems, but LEED is used much more and adopted by municipalities nationally and noted some differences in costs.

Steve O’Malley and Gary Ingvalson reviewed historical background of the project, including the LEED workshop and the process that approved a $29.5 million project; any additional expenditures relating to LEED were not included.  LEED is more than just energy, it includes recycling, air handling, etc., and the committee may want to include items as alternates on the project bid.  Steve also noted Blue Earth County Justice Center, MN is pursuing LEED certification and he distributed a comparison/informational sheet pertaining to Blue Earth County and La Crosse County projects.  Steve also noted the new addition will have higher level of energy standards than the current LEC building.  The committee and County Board need to decide whether or not to pursue LEED certification and how to pay for that as it will be above the original cost of the project.

Gary Ingvalson noted the first expenditure for the project was in January 2008 that included a contract amendment for Potter Lawson for them to provide a LEED workshop on January 7, 2008.  The bonding resolution was approved in October 2007 for $29.5 million and nothing in that figure addressed LEED.  Any additional expenditures above the bonding resolution ($29.5 million) will require a 2/3 vote of the County Board.  Don Carlson noted his concern for project cost, noting increase in gasoline prices will affect material costs; he recommended use of contingency funds not be considered.  He also reiterated that some LEED items could be considered as alternates on the project bid.      

Page 2 – LEC Construction Committee Minutes of April 22, 2008

Don Carlson went on to review the LEED Scorecard as sent out prior to the meeting; additional copies were available.  The actual design does not include mechanical or electrical yet so not sure what is included, but know that it meets or exceeds current standard.  He reviewed the reasons why LEED items should be considered, such as savings relating to energy and water usage, as well as environmental, economic, social elements that benefit all stakeholders, owners, occupants, and the general public.    

The prerequisites are required if go for LEED certification, those being:  independent 3^rd party commissioning for building energy systems/ making sure all is operating correctly (est. cost of $280,000), sorting of recyclables during construction (est. cost of $15,000), and minimum energy performance (cost of $6,200/already paid - total estimate of prerequisites at $301,200.  Construction Compliance and Design Compliance is estimated at a cost of $187,000; this is strictly for certification.  Optimize Energy Performance – optimizing 20% beyond baseline requirements and measured against the State of WI energy requirements – estimated cost is $366,000; this figure does not include the last 3 items as listed on the Energy Modeling due to amount of payback, those items being adding R5 to walls, adding R10 to Roof, and a White Roof.  Jim Speropulos noted those last 2 items relating to the roof are not feasible due to future expansion.  Supervisor Rauk suggested the extra insulation to walls and roof should be included. 

Chris Pinkowski, Michaels Engineering, distributed draft copies of “Energy Cost Savings” and went on to review in detail each of the 17 items as listed – relating to changes in features to enhance energy performance.  Information included baseline costs, upfront costs for additional items, annual savings and payback in years (that also included 5% yearly energy increases).  Discussion and questions followed.  Noted all estimates are based on assumptions.  Don Carlson noted this information needs to be fine-tuned as the solar information is not correct; he also noted some of these may already be in the base design.    

Supervisor Freedland said all of these are good paybacks and noted the benefits.  Supervisor Hampson was appalled that most of the energy modeling items as listed are not included in the base design.  Supervisor Medinger noted thus far as reviewed today, it will cost an estimated $1.1 million for a LEED certified building.  Supervisor Berns noted first a decision has to be made on whether to pursue LEED or not and then determine how it will be paid; Supervisor Fisher concurred.  Supervisor Rauk noted his decision will be made on expansion of scope; on items that will make this building significantly better for long term for the occupants and taxpayers, and need to justify the additional cost.   

RECOMMENDATION/DIRECTION FOR MAY 5^TH COUNTY BOARD POLICY PLANNING MEETING

Due to limited time and the need for additional information, general agreement to hold another meeting on April 29^th meeting. 

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 

• Continue review of energy modeling, including costs and paybacks
• Decision on whether or not to pursue LEED certification or basic
• Based on above decisions, review cost and payment method

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m. (following the County Board Retreat).

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Rauk/Berns to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Mach and Veenstra excused.  The meeting adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.   Cheryl Stephen, Recorder