Albright United Methodist Church
Post Fire Recovery 

Progress Report, Priorities & Planning* Week ending 2/9/07
(*Subject to change based on need, speed of work, insurance company, etc.)

The Trustees want to thank everyone who helped get the educational wing ready for our return.  A number of projects still need to be completed. 

A. Work completed as of 2/9/07
A lot of unseen work has been completed or is near completion.  Those projects include:

Three roof leaks being addressed.  Two are in gym and one is in the office. Work has been contracted and will be done as soon as possible.  These are fire-related problems caused by the use of heavy fire-fighting equipment and fireman traffic on roof during sanctuary fire.

Tasks remaining:

Chapel: Trustees have prices for new carpet and pad for Chapel, but color, etc. needs to be chosen.  Installation will have to be delayed until roof leak is fixed. 

The elevator has been inspected and will need repair.  No estimate yet because the repair company is having a problem finding parts; they are currently considering having the motor rebuilt.  There is water in the hydraulic fluids and that will have to be corrected.

A storage closet for the tables will be built to conform to Mishawaka Building Code; they can no longer be stored in the hall.

New stair risers have been installed for stage in gym.

New chairs for Worship are on their way from Texas.  They should be delivered on Monday morning, ahead of schedule!  These chairs are  American made.

Trustees do have prices for additional lighting to brighten the Gym.  We have heard complaints about the dimness of the area that makes it difficult to read the Bible and hymnals.

Another issue the Trustees have to address is replacing the floor tile in the hallways and some of the rooms.  Tile is lifting because of water damage, and while they do not need to be replaced immediately this has to be included in the insurance settlement.

Update:  The December air quality check revealed a mold-type growth above the kitchen ceiling.  The insurance company can argue that this was a preexisting condition, but the kitchen has been very wet due to fire fighting and the heat was off so the church can assume this is a result of the fire and have the necessary cleaning and repairs made as part of the fire claim.  (Per Chet Gamble.)  Trustees do have prices and must now go before Ad Board for approval.

Black mold spots as large as a quarter are all over the walls and floors in the old structure.  The door to that area must be kept closed at all times to prevent contaminants from tracking into the educational wing.  There can be no tours in the basement area.  A deadbolt has been installed and only the janitor and repairmen now have access.  Trustees have an estimate from Kayser-Spraker for decontamination work.  This will be presented at the next Ad Board meeting for approval

D. Demolition and removal of the burned out portion of the church.

1. Demolition Company has taken down the top portion of the North sanctuary wall to remove a hazard.
2. Church demolition is still on hold because Zurich Insurance company is not willing to settle; they are trying to minimize their payout as much as possible.  Ron Miller, ex-officio of Trustees and insurance advisor, the Trustees and the Pastor are in agreement we need to use a Professional Loss Consultant for the Insured to assure Albright Church gets what’s fair as far as underwritten and paid for under our policy.