KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
P. W. / MAJOR PROJECTS DIVISION
MEMORANDUM
TO: Tim Navarre, Assembly President
Members, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly
THRU: Dale Bagley, Mayor
Jeffrey Sinz, Finance Director
FROM: Walter Robson, PW/ MPD Director WLR
DATE: October 25, 2001
SUBJECT: Ordinance 2001-19-19, Redirection of Skyview Middle School Concept Funds to Seward Code Review & Soldotna MS Classroom Review Projects
Funds were originally assigned to the Middle School Concept in Ordinance 93-30, Section 3, in order to formulate a preliminary design for a proposed middle school concept. The school board terminated this project in 1994. Approximately $132,381 is remaining in account no. 401.71181.93045.49999.
The school board and school district administration have requested that the funds be redirected to the following design review projects:
The first is to review possible additional classroom space, through existing floor plan renovation, within the confines of the Soldotna Middle School structure. This can be accomplished through renovation of some 1500 sq. ft. of a home economics room to create two 750 sq. ft. classrooms. Also the existing locker pod area can be reconstructed into two classrooms of similar size. This extent of renovations will require improvements to the facility fire detection system or will require installation of a fire sprinkler system. Due to the expansive floor plan, AK DoE has not taken seriously the continual need for additional classrooms. Additionally, their application by formula does not support additional space, outside of the existing structure, for this age group. The Soldotna Middle School facility includes the use of eight (8) portable buildings for the 575 students in attendance, (the last 8 years' projections for the '00/'01 year have ranged from 548 to 573 with the facility being rated at 550). The school district administration proposes that renovation design work for four (4) classrooms be accomplished from existing space. This will require review by architectural/ structural/ electrical and mechanical design firms. This ordinance is to propose that $62,381 be redirected from the existing account to perform this preliminary design work.
A thorough code review for the Seward Middle School facility is requested. Reports by the local and state fire marshal continually note numerous code discrepancies in the existing structure. Also, the seven classroom pod roofs show extensive leakage and will need yearly repairs to maintain a dry environment. Unfortunately, the continual leakage requires that the superstructure be reviewed closely for an up-to-date structural analysis. The school board toured the facility in May of 2000 to view first hand the aged facility. Subsequently, the school district administration requests that a design report be performed to cover all aspects of the +30 year old structure per presently enforced code requirements. This would involve structural (seismic, wind loading)/ architectural, (IBC ingress/egress, ADA, space utilization)/ mechanical, (UMC, HVAC concerns)/ electrical, (fire alarm, intercom, com-data NEC provisions). It is proposed that $70,000 be transferred from the former account as the budget for this work.
The attached Ordinance recommends approval of this redirection of funds. A shortened hearing is requested in order to allow a project schedule that can coalesce with the FY 2003 School District's budget process.