The Project Team is continuing to meet and work on our three goals as defined by the Session:
1) Major repairs to the Church (e.g. furnace)
2) An elevator
3) Multi-purpose space
As most of you are probably aware, following the December Congregational Meeting, the furnaces that heat the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall were replaced with new units that will be used moving forward even after the addition is completed. We are expecting to see a dramatic improvement in our operating expenses based on the new furnaces having a burner efficiency of over 90% verses the approximate 40% efficiency for the 70 year old units. And, this doesn’t take into account the relief of the staff that doesn’t have to (sometimes heroically) relight the furnaces six or more times a day. In addition, the Congregation should be aware that the heating and air conditioning system in the Christian Education Wing is also over 30 years old and starting to show its age with increased maintenance costs and will be evaluated by the Team moving forward.
The other two legs of the project are also progressing. The Team just met to approve the final changes to the site plan as completed by our Architect, Daryl Drake. The addition, that will include an elevator that will serve both the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall, will extend from the rear of the Church, over the current furnace room, out into the parking lot towards Webster Street. While the addition will have about half of the footprint of the previous, more expensive plan, we are planning on having a lower floor at the same level as Fellowship Hall, and an upper floor at the Sanctuary level.
Moving forward, the Team is anticipating the project will proceed as follows: finalize site plan; request zoning variances from city; authorize the architect to create detailed design drawings; put the drawings out for bids with local contractors; use final bids to create final scope and cost of the project; distribute project information to the congregation and hold a “major” congregational meeting for final project approval.
The purpose of our planned congregational meeting is two fold. First, the project scope has changed from our original plan and we want everyone to fully understand the new proposal. And, secondly, we are all aware that the economy has impacted our congregation, in some cases dramatically, and we need to have agreement on the costs and commitment required to successfully complete the project.
It has been our goal through the leadership of Pastor Bob to keep the Congregation fully informed as to the progress of the Project Team. Our meeting minutes are posted on the Church website and through communications such as this newsletter, Fireside Chats, Belvidere Brewers and Congregational Meetings. We hope that the Congregation feels that they are full partners in this endeavor. As always we invite input from the Congregation as well, so that we can consider all aspects of the project moving forward. The Project Team consists of:
Spiritual Leader: Pastor Bob
Team Members: Richard Carrick, Dale Drake, Carl Lindaas, and Pat Goymerac
Consulting: Rick Belinson
We look forward to our continued partnership in doing God’s will at Our Family of Faith.
In Christ,
Richard Carrick
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Project Team Minutes March 15, 2009
The Project Team met at the Church between 2nd and 3rd services on March 15, 2009. All members were present and the meeting was opened in prayer by Pastor Bob.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* The site plan drawing from Architect Daryl Drake was reviewed. The Team was pleased with the drawing and discussed changes that need to be made prior to final submittal.
* After discussing changes that the new building will require to the parking lot, the Team agreed that the rental house will need to be removed to leave adequate clearance around the addition.
* Minor changes to the drawing with respect to the rear entrance awning, and the Lincoln Avenue entrance at the rear of the sanctuary were also agreed to. Finally a ramp to the lower level of the addition and a location for the Church’s dumpster were discussed and agreed to.
As a result of this meeting the following action items were agreed to:
1) Communicate final changes to the site plan to the architect, Daryl Drake. - Dale
2) When the site plan is completed, contact Lois Ramon and arrange a meeting to present the site plan to the City Planning Department. - Richard
The next meeting will be scheduled when these action items are completed.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* The site plan drawing from Architect Daryl Drake was reviewed. The Team was pleased with the drawing and discussed changes that need to be made prior to final submittal.
* After discussing changes that the new building will require to the parking lot, the Team agreed that the rental house will need to be removed to leave adequate clearance around the addition.
* Minor changes to the drawing with respect to the rear entrance awning, and the Lincoln Avenue entrance at the rear of the sanctuary were also agreed to. Finally a ramp to the lower level of the addition and a location for the Church’s dumpster were discussed and agreed to.
As a result of this meeting the following action items were agreed to:
1) Communicate final changes to the site plan to the architect, Daryl Drake. - Dale
2) When the site plan is completed, contact Lois Ramon and arrange a meeting to present the site plan to the City Planning Department. - Richard
The next meeting will be scheduled when these action items are completed.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Project Team Minutes February 15, 2009
The Project Team met at the Church between 2nd and 3rd services on February 15, 2009. All members were present and the meeting was opened in prayer.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* The furnace replacement for the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall is complete. The heating problem in the CE wing was repaired at the same time. The comment was made that the furnace in the CE wing may also need to be replaced in the near future due to age, and would probably yield a similar efficiency improvement.
* The final drawings from General Steel were reviewed. The Team expressed general dissatisfaction with the quality and responsiveness of General Steel's work. It was decided that any additional changes to finalize the site plan will be pursued with the architect.
* The Team discussed the sequence of events moving forward and agreed to the following process:
finalize site plan; receive zoning variances from city; contract architect for detailed design drawings; put drawings out for bids; use final bids to create final scope and cost of project; hold "major" congregational meeting (4 weeks notice, with information available to congregation) for final project approval.
As a result of this meeting the following action items were agreed to:
1) Work with the architect, Daryl Drake, to finish site plans. - Dale
2) Work with Lois Ramon to fill out zoning variance paper work and turn into city. - Richard
The next meeting will be scheduled when these action items are completed.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* The furnace replacement for the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall is complete. The heating problem in the CE wing was repaired at the same time. The comment was made that the furnace in the CE wing may also need to be replaced in the near future due to age, and would probably yield a similar efficiency improvement.
* The final drawings from General Steel were reviewed. The Team expressed general dissatisfaction with the quality and responsiveness of General Steel's work. It was decided that any additional changes to finalize the site plan will be pursued with the architect.
* The Team discussed the sequence of events moving forward and agreed to the following process:
finalize site plan; receive zoning variances from city; contract architect for detailed design drawings; put drawings out for bids; use final bids to create final scope and cost of project; hold "major" congregational meeting (4 weeks notice, with information available to congregation) for final project approval.
As a result of this meeting the following action items were agreed to:
1) Work with the architect, Daryl Drake, to finish site plans. - Dale
2) Work with Lois Ramon to fill out zoning variance paper work and turn into city. - Richard
The next meeting will be scheduled when these action items are completed.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Project Team Minutes January 4, 2009
The Project Team met at the Church on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Present were Dale, Carl, Pat, Rick and Richard. Pastor Bob was available for part of the meeting and Murph also sat in.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* Bids were received from three vendors for replacing the furnaces for the sanctuary and fellowship hall. The bids were discussed in detail, and the Team selected the bid from LM Sheet Metal for $26,480. It was the lowest bid of the three and the Team felt it was the best solution. Given the authorization from the Congregational Meeting on December 21, 2008 for the Project Team to spend money from the Blessings Campaign, the work will be scheduled ASAP.
* The Team received the site plan drawings from General Steel and reviewed them. The drawings are now very close, and with minor changes, are ready to be sent to the architect.
* The Team discussed the next steps and agreed that as soon as the site plans and variances were returned from the architect that the City Special Use/Variances paper work would be completed and filed with the City. This will start the process for any necessary zoning changes. Once approval is received from the City, the architect will be hired to make the detailed drawings. Once the detailed drawings are completed we will put the project out for bids. When the bids are received, the Project Team will agree to a final scope of work, select a contractor(s) and present a final package to the Congregation for approval.
As a result of the above discussion, the following action items were agreed to:
1) Contact General Steel to receive the final site plans. Contact Daryl Drake to request information necessary for City Special Use/Variances Documentation. - Dale
2) Fax Furnace Contract to LM Sheet Metal and schedule the work. - Pat
3) Send thank you to unsuccessful bidders. - Carl
The next meeting will be scheduled, as required, pending completion of City Special Use/Variances Documentation.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* Bids were received from three vendors for replacing the furnaces for the sanctuary and fellowship hall. The bids were discussed in detail, and the Team selected the bid from LM Sheet Metal for $26,480. It was the lowest bid of the three and the Team felt it was the best solution. Given the authorization from the Congregational Meeting on December 21, 2008 for the Project Team to spend money from the Blessings Campaign, the work will be scheduled ASAP.
* The Team received the site plan drawings from General Steel and reviewed them. The drawings are now very close, and with minor changes, are ready to be sent to the architect.
* The Team discussed the next steps and agreed that as soon as the site plans and variances were returned from the architect that the City Special Use/Variances paper work would be completed and filed with the City. This will start the process for any necessary zoning changes. Once approval is received from the City, the architect will be hired to make the detailed drawings. Once the detailed drawings are completed we will put the project out for bids. When the bids are received, the Project Team will agree to a final scope of work, select a contractor(s) and present a final package to the Congregation for approval.
As a result of the above discussion, the following action items were agreed to:
1) Contact General Steel to receive the final site plans. Contact Daryl Drake to request information necessary for City Special Use/Variances Documentation. - Dale
2) Fax Furnace Contract to LM Sheet Metal and schedule the work. - Pat
3) Send thank you to unsuccessful bidders. - Carl
The next meeting will be scheduled, as required, pending completion of City Special Use/Variances Documentation.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Project Team Minutes November 21, 2008
The Project Team met at the Church on Friday morning, November 21, 2008, to review the project with the architect, Daryl Drake. Richard and Dale were available for the meeting with Daryl. Pastor Bob and Carl were available for part of the meeting. Pat and Rick were unavailable. Murph also assisted during the Church walk around.
The following items were discussed:
* The heating units for the sanctuary building are becoming extremely problematic. The main focus of the discussion centered around what to do if the old heating units could not be sustained until the new addition is completed. It was determined that, if necessary, new unit(s) could be purchased, and installed in the current location, to heat the existing facility, and then those units would be relocated for use after the project is completed.
* The scope of the revised project was discussed with sanctuary access from the new addition being reviewed.
* The need for site plans, a list of variances and presentation drawings were agreed to for the Team to be able to pursue zoning variances with the city.
As a result of this meeting, the following action items were assigned:
1) Work with the architect and General Steel to complete site plans, a list of variances and presentation drawings. - Dale
2) Work with Murph and our HVAC service provider to keep our furnaces working. However, replace as-required, if the units are not repairable (the new unit(s) can be salvaged as part of the new project). - Pat
3) Review with Lois Ramon, the architect contract and the process for achieving zoning variance approval. - Richard
The next meeting will be scheduled when the above action items are completed.
The following items were discussed:
* The heating units for the sanctuary building are becoming extremely problematic. The main focus of the discussion centered around what to do if the old heating units could not be sustained until the new addition is completed. It was determined that, if necessary, new unit(s) could be purchased, and installed in the current location, to heat the existing facility, and then those units would be relocated for use after the project is completed.
* The scope of the revised project was discussed with sanctuary access from the new addition being reviewed.
* The need for site plans, a list of variances and presentation drawings were agreed to for the Team to be able to pursue zoning variances with the city.
As a result of this meeting, the following action items were assigned:
1) Work with the architect and General Steel to complete site plans, a list of variances and presentation drawings. - Dale
2) Work with Murph and our HVAC service provider to keep our furnaces working. However, replace as-required, if the units are not repairable (the new unit(s) can be salvaged as part of the new project). - Pat
3) Review with Lois Ramon, the architect contract and the process for achieving zoning variance approval. - Richard
The next meeting will be scheduled when the above action items are completed.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Project Team Minutes November 16, 2008
The Project Team met between 2nd and 3rd services on Sunday, November 16, 2008. All team members were present. Pastor Bob opened and closed the meeting with prayer.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* The Team discussed the congregational meeting that was held on Sunday, November 2, 2008 and the Session Meeting that was held on November 10, 2008. The result of these meetings is that the Project Team is to proceed with the revised plan.
* The Team discussed the next steps and agreed that it was now appropriate to meet with the Architect, Daryl Drake, at the church and finalize the project for the purposes of generating a site plan/presentation drawings.
* When a site plan/presentation drawings are ready the Team needs to start the approval process for city zoning variances.
As a result of this discussion the following action item was assigned:
1) Contact the Architect and arrange a meeting at the church with the Project Team. - Dale
The next meeting will be scheduled when the Architect is available.
The meeting proceeded as follows:
* The Team discussed the congregational meeting that was held on Sunday, November 2, 2008 and the Session Meeting that was held on November 10, 2008. The result of these meetings is that the Project Team is to proceed with the revised plan.
* The Team discussed the next steps and agreed that it was now appropriate to meet with the Architect, Daryl Drake, at the church and finalize the project for the purposes of generating a site plan/presentation drawings.
* When a site plan/presentation drawings are ready the Team needs to start the approval process for city zoning variances.
As a result of this discussion the following action item was assigned:
1) Contact the Architect and arrange a meeting at the church with the Project Team. - Dale
The next meeting will be scheduled when the Architect is available.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Project Team Minutes October 19, 23, 28
The Project Team has had three meetings (October 19, 23 and 28) at the Church. The purpose of these meetings has been to fulfill the Session's request for a project update to the Congregation to be given at the Congregational Meeting on November 2, 2008. The Session, at its October 13 meeting, asked the Project Team to see if a scaled down, revamped project can still be completed in line with the pledges received (total cash and pledges of $750,000). All three meetings were covered in Prayer by Pastor Bob, and proceeded as follows:
* The Team reviewed the three goals for the project as assigned by the Session when the Team was formed: elevator, repairs (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC) and multi-purpose space.
* The budgeted amount for the elevator is $200,000 and for the Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP including HVAC) is $300,000. While the final cost of the Elevator and MEP may vary some based on the final project scope, these are relatively fixed costs; and the Team agreed that a total budget of $500,000 should be maintained for these items. Therefore, the rest of the project should be resized accordingly.
* The Team discussed the need to plan for future growth given the reduced space in the revised Phase I plan. Additional space (and expense) could be added to future phases of the project.
As a result of these meetings the following action items were assigned:
1) Work with the architect on revised space requirements - Dale
2) Discuss cost of revised project with area contractors to determine cost savings - Carl
3) Prepare a presentation for the Congregational Meeting - Richard
The next Project Team Meeting will be scheduled following Feedback from the Congregational Meeting and as additional project information is made available.
* The Team reviewed the three goals for the project as assigned by the Session when the Team was formed: elevator, repairs (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC) and multi-purpose space.
* The budgeted amount for the elevator is $200,000 and for the Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP including HVAC) is $300,000. While the final cost of the Elevator and MEP may vary some based on the final project scope, these are relatively fixed costs; and the Team agreed that a total budget of $500,000 should be maintained for these items. Therefore, the rest of the project should be resized accordingly.
* The Team discussed the need to plan for future growth given the reduced space in the revised Phase I plan. Additional space (and expense) could be added to future phases of the project.
As a result of these meetings the following action items were assigned:
1) Work with the architect on revised space requirements - Dale
2) Discuss cost of revised project with area contractors to determine cost savings - Carl
3) Prepare a presentation for the Congregational Meeting - Richard
The next Project Team Meeting will be scheduled following Feedback from the Congregational Meeting and as additional project information is made available.
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