Meetings And Reports - January 2005

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Report for 1/3/2005 – 1/9/2005 – LCCC – Albany County Campus Prepared by Seth A. Carson  

Phone Conference 1/3/2005 – Seth Carson and Phil Neal 

Seth and Phil met to discuss and go over the geo-exchange spreadsheet.  Seth asked Phil to complete the spreadsheet and as come up with the number of occupants he thought would be in each building area.  Also discussed was the windmill location and if it made sense to place the windmills on sight.  Phil stated that he thought it would be fine to place the windmills on site if they produced enough energy and if it were approved by the city.  Seth stated he would follow up with the city and research the ordnances for both the windmills and PV panels.  

Also discussed was the IT and electrical system.  In short, Phil stated that we need to get the must out of our budget.  Seth stated and suggested that we let the electrical engineer/sub-contractor come back to us with a system that fits out needs and budget. 

Meeting 1/3/2005 – Seth Carson, Jerry Hankin and Doug Bryant (City of Laramie Planning Department) 

Seth stopped by their office to discuss the on-site windmills.  Seth asked Jerry and Doug to review the Turner Tract covenants and ordinance to see if there is a conflict with the on-site windmills.  They said that they would get back to Seth by Wednesday. 

Phone Conference 1/3/2005 – Seth Carson and Ralph Knox 

Seth retuned Ralph’s phone message from earlier in the day.  Seth clued Ralph into the status of the geo-exchange spreadsheet that was circulating.  Ralph stated that he we call Seth in the morning to discuss other issues. 

Task completed – Seth Carson emailed design committee and notified them about the geo-exchange system spreadsheet.  The geo-exchange spreadsheet was posted on the website 1/4/2005. 

Corespondence – Sent to design team 1/6/2005 by Seth Carson 

Hello again, 

First off, Phil and Eileen, thanks for you quick decisions and thoughts on the occupant numbers, computer count, etc.  It really helps me and Ralph especially when we (LCCC) can turn around information efficiently. Kudos. 

Second, Phil and I are going to get together Friday to go over the zoning for the heat pumps as requested by Ralph.  Tim L., I tried to get a hold off you on the phone today to get an 8.5”x11” print off of the floor plan.  Can I get a fax, pdf, CAD file, or email plan by early Friday morning? All I have is the green and yellow bldg. layout.  If I could at least get some plan with room names, it would help.  Thanks! Tim M., I would like you to review this process also, expect a plan from me.  Any other thoughts are also welcome from all.  Keep in mind a thermostat in every room might be overkill, costly, and unnecessary.  But, thermal comfort should be the highest priority to ensure occupant satisfaction, weigh the benefits, and get back with me before next Wed.  Sharing heat pumps for two classrooms, one heat pump for the entire admin office areas, etc. has been suggested by Ralph and the geo guys.  Ralph, I’ll pass and web-post the hvac zone map onto you if I get it sooner.   

Phil thanks for sending off the email news about the windmills.  As you may or may not know, the electrical engineers will need to blend the PV/wind power into the e. schematic and grid, and Ralph needs to know if he should request this in their scope.  FYI, I met with Jerry Hankin, City Plan reviewer, and Doug Bryant, County/City Planner about ALL the codes/covenants/ordinances and they stated there is NO problem with the wind/PV.  In fact, Doug stated that the “high visibility” of these items would help the image of ‘green’ development/business park that is in line with missions of the Turner Tract.  They both stated that they would put something in writing about the covenants if requested.  My personal and professional option is that LCCC should keep the grant dollars all in one spot, onsite.  I can just see it now, a glossy picture with the letters LCCC painted in blue and gold down the towers of the windmills with the campus in the background on the cover of every Community College magazine in the country.   Remember this energy thing will be huge in advertising kickback.  Anyways, that’s my pitch.   

Scott, If LCCC does go forth with onsite PV/Wind, I told Ralph and the e. engineer to separate the extra design time as it relates to the grant.  FYI, I have asked and been asked by Bob to be the point man on PV/wind matters to help Ralph and Tim L. focus on the building.  

LASTLY, IT IS NOT MY JOB TO ENSURE PROJECT Timeliness, NONE THE LESS, SCOTT COULD WE HAVE CRITCAL PATH DIAGRAM AND A SCHEDULE FOR 2005.  THIS WILL HELP LCCC TO KNOW WANTS GOING ON AND MAKE efficient DECISIONS.  THANKS!!!!  

FYI, I’M COMING BACK FROM DENVER NEXT FRIDAY, CAN THE TEAM MEET IN DENVER OR CHEYENNE???? 

Task completed – Seth Carson created a the geo-exchange HVAC system zoning plan from comments and meetings with Phil Neal 1/9/2005

Report for 1/10/2005 – 1/14/2005 – LCCC – Albany County Campus Prepared by Seth A. Carson  

Phone Conference 1/10/2005 – Seth Carson and Ralph Knox 

Seth and Ralph discussed project status. Ralph stated that he would prepare an updated time frame this week.  Seth asked about the status of some of the sub-contractors.  Ralph stated that he would bring the IT/Electrical contractor (Fremont Electric), the geo-exchange (Major Geothermal), MKK, and MSI to the design team meeting on Friday.  Discussed in more detail was the IT and electrical budget.  Ralph asked about Michael Walters spreadsheet and whether or not it was a wish list or required.  Ralph hinted to the fact that it might be overkill with the number IT drops per classroom.  Seth stated that LCCC needed something comparable to the business college in Cheyenne.  Ralph stated the more work would be need into reviewing the actual IT needs of the college.

Phone Conference 1/10/2005 – Seth Carson and Tim Laughlin 

Seth thanked Tim for sending the pdf floor plan.  Seth asked Tim for an update on the design plans specifically the civil design.  Tim stated that Aspen-Banner had been fairly slow in producing there documents for the permit set.  Tim stated that Ralph and he would turn in the plans to the City of Laramie after the design meeting on Friday.  Tim stated that he hadn’t been able to review Aspen-Banner’s work to date.  Tim ensured Seth that the “core and shell” permit set would be turned in Friday and that this would allow Ralph to put the steel out to bid the following week. 

Correspondence – Seth Carson sent Tim Macnamera an email 1/10/2005 

Seth asked Tim to review the posted geo-exchange plan and make revisions.  Seth asked Tim to analysis the zone size and maintenance aspects of the system. 

Meeting 1/13/2005 – Seth Carson met with Ben Blanco in Denver. 

Seth met with Ben and Electrical Engineer in Denver to discuss the grid tied energy system.  Ben roughly detail out the grid tied method for Seth.  He stated that the first thing that need to happen before a electrical engineering design firm could design the grid-tie that LCCC would need to obtain the grid-tie specifications, requirement, and methods that Pacific Power has.  He stated that they have a about a 200 page guideline that would need to be given to the designer.   He said the system would require about a month of design time for a firm to complete.   

Task completed – Seth Carson responded to Tim Macnamera design comments and create a new geo-exchange HVAC system zoning plan 1/13/2005.  Research on windmills manufactures and installers was posted on the website 1/11/2005. Seth prepared the following meeting agenda on 1/13/2005. 

LCCC-ACC Meeting agenda 1-14-2005

Prepared By Seth Carson    

Introductions - Updates on Project  

1.  Presentation of permit plan set by Tim Laughlin. 

2.  Introductions of subcontractor’s items of importance by Ralph Knox. 

3.  Presentation of timelines and critical path diagram by Scott Kohrs.  

4.  Subcontractor Discussions  

          A. Geo-exchange HVAC system

1.  Zoning-presentation by Seth Carson, follow up by Ralph Knox and Geo subcontractors.

2.  Loop field/wells???

3.  Ground Temperature in Laramie???

4.  Design Methodology???

5.  Costs/Budgets.

6.  Integration of design on engineers/team.

7.  Timeframes/Deadlines.  

B.  Electrical/IT

1.  Design Methodology???

2.  Budget and Needs. What can LCCC afford?

3.  Delivery methods/ducts, etc.

4.  Suggestions on next steps.   

          C.  Fire Suppression System

                   I. Update from Ralph  

Meeting 1/14/2005 – Seth Carson, Ralph Knox, Scott Kohrs, Don Davis, Terry Proffer, Tim Laughlin, Eileen Ely, Phil Neal, Bob Cox, Tim Macnamera, MKK and MSI. 

Seth introduced the agenda. Scott presented the new timeline and asked everyone to add in there input. Scott stressed the importance of finalizing all the designs by the end of February.  Scott stressed the importance of the steel materials and out time of 14 weeks.  Scott also stated the “core and shell” permit would take 4-6 weeks and about 2-3 weeks on the steel shop drawings before fabrication could start. 

Ralph stated that the bid packets would go out over the next 7-10 days.  Then there would be a 2 week bid window in getting the bids back.  Ralph also stated that he was going to have an open house for local contractors to bid in the next 7-10 days.

Ralph then introduced the sub-contractors. Don Davis from Fremont asked about the amount of fill that was going to be used on the site.  John Parks then asked about the under slab electrical. Scott stated the he would prefer to build the steel off the entire slab but this would mean all of the under slab conduit and pipes would need to set prior to steel arrival.  The design team decided to have Michael Walters attend a meeting in Laramie at Don’s office to discuss the IT/electrical next Tuesday.  Don asked that the scope of the IT be established soon.  SIPS panels were also discussed as they related to panel conduit and wiring. Ralph mentioned that we should keep from turn the prefabricated panels into “Swiss cheese” to help with thermal performance. 

Scott voiced his concern about the depths of the loop field.  He also stated that he was going to use Stu Reevs as a contact for the occupancy sensors and daylight stuff.  Also discussed was the size of the mechanical rooms and how many pumps would be needed. 

Payment Request # 1

Submitted 1/14/2005 for billable dates 12/1/2005-12/31/2005

Approved by SAC 

Payment Notes: Bob asked Seth to review the first payment request at the design meeting. The payment was for ½ payment of the architect design item No. 14.  As the architectural plans are ½ done, payment was approved.  It was decided that all payment request would be sent through Seth and initialed for approval.  Then the payment request would be sent to Bob and checks would be cut.  Bob also asked Seth to create an internal spreadsheet that could be used to analyze the project budgets.  Seth stated he would have something prepared before the next payment request.   

Meeting 1/14/2005 – Seth Carson and Tim Laughlin 

Tim stopped by Seth’s office to drop of the “shell and core” permit set.   Seth and Tim went over the civil plans in brief detail.  Tim indicated that the geo-exchange system loop field that was discussed at the earlier meeting could not be place in the retention pond due to size restrictions.  Seth asked where the loop field would now go.  Tim said that under the parking lot would be that only location.  Tim stated that LCCC would not be able to change the parking lot design in the future if LCCC wanted to build on it because of the loop field.   

Tim also noted that the entire parking lot would drain towards the north instead of towards the south like initially indicated.  Tim voiced some concerns about this matter.  Overall, the civil plans looked fine, but Seth was concerned about the future of the campus.  In short, Seth was disappointed in the civil layout and felt there could have been better coordination and requirements set forth by the architect for the civil design work.

DAYS 1/17/2005-1/28/2004 WILL BE POSTED SOON!!!!

Report for 1/31/2005 – 2/4/2005 – LCCC – Albany County Campus  

Prepared by Seth A. Carson  

Meeting 1/31/2005 – Seth Carson, David Walrath, and Scott Morton 

Seth met with David and Scott at the UW to research the specifications on the windmills in further detail.  Scott (samorton@uwyo.edu) highly suggested that the grid tie be in the building due to the power company rates and economics of the meter.  If we directly grid tie, the power company will only give LCCC low cost net meter provide compensation (3 cents/kwh).  If we integrate, the building can use the power and save the net difference of (9 cents/kwh).  Three times the economy. He also stated that we could only produce a maximum of 50kw into the grid, otherwise we are considered power plant and LCCC would have to met federal standards.  Scott also stated to use the rule of thumb that the rating of a mill (ie. 40 kw) really produces one quarter the yearly output of energy (ie. 10kw).  This helps predict power bills, etc. 

Scott also provided the below resources. He suggested we use Ted Hanlon from High Plains Solar & Wind (307-630-0774) to help with products and design engineering.  He also listed the name Bill Young (307-379-2563) as a person he owns a bunch of windmills and knows were to get the “best buys.”  He stated that there is large wind farm in California that is selling used and refurbished (like new) 50-65KW windmills that are good buys. I told him out budget and he said we should have no problems with building grid tie and products. 

Phone Conference 1/31/2005 – Seth Carson and Ralph Knox 

Seth spoke to Ralph briefly.  Seth requested that Ralph and him get together later in the week.  Thursday was arranged.  He also stated he was meeting with Don at Fremont on Thursday. 

Meeting 2/3/2005 – Seth Carson and Ralph Knox 

Seth met with Ralph to discuss the recent current events and tasks Taylor Kohrs is working on.  Ralph stated that he had met and given Rick Jensen (City of Laramie – Fire Marshall) a set off plans to review.  This is standard practice for buildings of this size.  Rick looks for egress issues and fire scenarios.  Ralph stated that he was working on Rick to try and remove the fire truck turn around requirements on the west side of the building. 

Next, Ralph stated he had MKK working on the mechanical design. Gene from MKK was working on the load calculations with Major-Geothermal.  Ralph also stated that Tim Laughlin is working with MKK on the glass specifications with B & W Glass Company (vendor/manufacture).  Glass specifications will need to be finalized before the loads are finalized, and the geo-system can be finish.  Tim was also working with the radial roof design, specifically a zinc roof material for the curved roof.  

Ralph also updated Seth on the IT status.  He stated that he was meeting with Fremont Electric later today to finalize the design and bid of the IT.  He explained some of the timeline of events that lead to the current IT budget and LCCC needs.  He stated he was still trying to get Michael to get the IT back on track. 

Also discussed were the bids that were out.  The SIPS, concrete, and steel were all out to bid and due back by Feb. 10^th.  Also in the design works was the landscape design.  He stated he was not able to retain his first choice for the designer but that he was working with Mill Brother Designers.   

Ralph stated that he was meeting with John Parks in the next couple of days to see where the sprinkler and plumbing design was at.  He stated that John’s deadline was next week.  He reported that no waterless toilets were going to be used.  He thought the maintenance problems were something he didn’t feel comfortable with.  

Ralph also stated that the DEQ permit was approved for the site waste water run off.  The DEQ permit for the building was still pending though.  He said that LCCC would Bob Cox could get copies at some point. 

Seth also presented Ralph with a copy of the LEED energy commissioning proposal and asked Ralph and Scott to review it.  Ralph stated he would support the commissioning as it is a good third party check off for the specialty mechanical systems that are going into the building.  Seth also stated that the wind/solar power needed to be integrated into the design of the building for economic reasons.  Seth makes sure Ralph has the electrical design engineer separate there design fees for the grant.

Design Team Meeting 2/4/2005 – Seth Carson, Tim Laughlin, Tom Fuller, Bob Cox, Phil Neal, Tim Mac. Location at the Wyoming Business Council in Cheyenne, WY. 

This meeting was held at the WBC primarily to discuss and go over the building project plans with Tom Fuller.  Tim Laughlin went though the shell and core permit plan set with the team and explained his notation and syntax for indicating grant funded specific items within the building plan set.  They are indicated with the EG notation and numbered for specifics.  Tim L. went on to explain that exterior “eyebrows/sunscreens” were acting as a light shelf/shading energy technique and would be considered under the daylight part of the grant.  The upper windows would be in the grant and collect the bounced light and direct it into the classrooms spaces, etc.  He stated the sunscreens would be let 18% of the light through to the lower glass.  Tim M. asked about the maintenance of the metal sunscreens.  Tim L. stated that they could be galvanized or be painted.  Tim M. suggested using a high quality powder coat type paint application. 

Tim also went over where the SIPS were in the plans and that the geo-exchange plans were not ready for Tom to review yet.  Tim went on to explain the window specifications for the team. He stated the cladding would be aluminum that would be good for low maintenance and have a good exterior thermal break as well as good looks.  He stated the windows were using the “starfire” technology that prevents 73% heat gain and has a 1.74 coefficient rating.  Also noted by Tim were the control systems and the occupancy sensors with regards to the EG notation.  Tim M. asked about the lighting and light level controls.  Seth explained the dimmable ballast that Tim specified could be costly and it may have to be that the light controls shut on/off banks of light and not auto dim them to met budget.  It was agreed the Randi Brehmer should do a life cycle analysis of the lighting methods. 

Phil stated that he had been in contact with PP&L about the purchasing of green tags for the school.  Also discussed the pv/wind grid tie options.  Seth indicated that he had a lot more information regarding this matter.  He explained to the team that the pv/wind had to need to be connected inside the building to maximize the economics.  It was agreed to have Taylor-Kohrs treat any extra design and task work as a change order to their contract and pay for it with the additional grant funds.  Seth and Phil set up a meeting for the next week to plan for the pv/wind items I more detail.  Phil also asked Tim M. about the exterior finishes.  Tim explained the majority of the outside finish was CMU split-face block.  Tim also explained the roofing system.  He stated the roof would have steel joist below metal decking below rigid R-38 insulation. 

Bob commented on the electrical needs and mentioned the importance of the budget.  He also suggested using the IT furniture that has integrated power/IT in it.  He said that this would allow for flexibility with rooms configurations and lower the amount of in floor IT and cabling work that needed to be done. 

Seth presented the team with the commissioning firm’s proposal.  He explained the importance commissioning and that this would really benefit Tim M. and facility manager work and understanding of the specialty energy HVAC systems.  The commissioning would provide an O&M user manual for the building systems.  The commissioning would also validate and economize all the design work for these systems.   The proposal is linked here.  Tim M. said that commissioning needed to been done with or without the LEED’s certification pursuance.  Bob took a copy to review. 

acc project

leed

Seth Carson Architectural Engineer, E.I.T., Owner.
Copyright © 2005 Bluefeather Design/Build. All rights reserved.
Revised: 02/10/05.