BUILDING COMMITTEE, MESSIAH UMC –
Convening meeting #2: (Minutes)
THIS IS THE REPORT PRESENTED TO THE BUILDING COMMITTEE BY TRUSTEE CHAIR BILL SPENCER ON OCT. 11, 2006:
Response to Invitation to meet with Building Committee of Messiah Church
Responding to “Footprint for Ministry of August 20, 2006”
1) Fellowship Hall/Kitchen/Stage Area:
* Complete gutting/reconfiguration of Fellowship Hall and the Kitchen/Rest Room area there for maximum access to and space usage for congregational gatherings in an accessible and environmentally safe area through asbestos abatement and air-quality controls.
Trustees Response:
U Asbestos in Fellowship Hall/Kitchen Area – report will be placed in Church Office and with Facilities and Ministries Study Report. Bottom Line: asbestos in floor tile, FH. Very limited elements elsewhere in FH.
U REMCO is studying and will make recommendations for air quality control management avenues in Fellowship Hall (promised report for this meeting, but none has arrived).
U Estimate @ $ 10,000 for lowering radiators if we want to keep stem heat in this area. (R. Smith, Chbg. 2-year-old quote)
U Poles in this area are supporting beams for the sanctuary. If removed a structural engineer must be consulted to maintain the structural integrity of the sanctuary.
U Modern/new electrical needs cannot be addressed until needs through plans are identified (it was acknowledged, however, that we definitely need service upgrade; now running on 400 amp system. Panel upgrade alone would be $6,000 easily.)
U Trustees strongly recommend dialogue with Mr. Blain Bargo of W.S. Miller, Inc.
Howard Albrecht questioned plumbing issues from FH restroom; Kevin Plasterer will investigate possibility of having camera snake through piping to determine condition of piping, etc.
2) Evangel Center:
* Evangel Center space reconfiguration for maximum utilization for Sunday School classes, Bible studies, group usage, and various ministry needs. (This step also would allow for Trustees to proceed with appropriate and necessary HVAC, electrical, and related upgrades).
Trustees Response:
U Trustees have a year old proposal for HVAC for the Evangel Center for $ 73,000. (Tuckey, Carlisle. 2005 bid)
U Discussions with REMCO have revealed a greater air quality issue in the Evangel Center basement than in F-H.
U Roof issue; seams ongoing in repair; membrane good. Last roof was placed over existing roof; thus drainage issue.
U We are on borrowed time with the HVAC in the Evangel Center. Trustees have tried to wait for the Facilities and Ministries Study to be completed before acting so that it didn’t appear that we were trying to influence the congregational vote on whether to stay here or relocate. However; waiting has now caused the necessity to cannibalize 2 units from the office area to the Youth Room. Only one more unit remains to use should another unit fail. “THIS ISSUE IS CRITICAL TO MINSTRY AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION THIS WINTER AND FOLLOWING SEASONS.” (“Cannibalized” units in Ed. Department, lower level, actually provide functioning heat & air for first time in several years).
3) Enclosing the Courtyard & an Atrium Expansion:
* Authorization of an architectural design to enclose the
"Courtyard" with an "atrium-style" structure between the 1920 and 1970 buildings, and plan for construction of a new main-entrance configuration to:
a) provide handicap accessibility and mobility of parishioners between the sanctuary proper and the Evangel Center;
b) establish congregational welcoming, gathering, hospitality, and communication space;
c) Provide for sanctuary-entrance modifications from this area into the rear of the sanctuary, as well as related re-configuration of space to facilitate movement at the rear of the sanctuary.
Trustees Response:
U Trustees have not engaged in discussions on this issue; however, should you decide to excavate this area for a basement under Atrium it might be wise to consider doors from Fellowship Hall to that area.
U Area could be used for storage, or overflow from F-H, or for classrooms.
U A major issue of accessibility must be addressed in all plans for future including a covered area @ entrances for disembarking from vehicles.
4) Property Acquisition:
* Authorize acquisition of the property adjacent to the
Evangel Center. This property is identified as 36 South Penn St.
and includes a multiple-room structure and parcel of property
which runs parallel to the existing church property and to the alley behind the church building.
By way of what Council leadership believes to be the movement of God’s hand, this property in recent months has been moved from “definitely not available” status to “available” for future ministry use by the church.
The request is to authorize a $125,000 purchase and related costs to close the transaction. This authorization would direct Stewardship & Finance and the Trustees, in conjunction with Church Council, to respond with the most viable purchase/financing plan possible on behalf of the faith community.
Possibilities will include:
a) Full financing of the purchase price through the Central Pa. Conference, UMC, loan fund (through which Messiah Church recently retired a mortgage on the last expansion).
b) Financing of a loan in an amount to be determined through using portions of our General Fund Reserve as well as Living Endowment/Facility for Ministry funds – ranging upwards to $45,000.
c) Adding to possibility “b” by “testing the Spirit” which we believe is providing this opportunity, and authorizing an “Investing in the Vision” challenge to leadership and the congregation for a one-time sacrificial gift to be received toward this ministry step.
Trustees Response:
U Messiah UMC now owns 36 S. Penn Street.
U Financing issues should be discussed with the Stewardship-Finance Committee Chairperson.
U Use/s for 36 & 38 South Penn Street are being discussed by Trustees for the short term. Long range plans for
these properties are yours to decide, hopefully, with consultation with Trustees regarding time lines.
OTHER ISSUES:
U Stained Glass Windows:
Two proposals have been received with widely differing costs.
I am reviewing the proposals to determine why the differences.
The total financial picture of Messiah church will determine how and/or when the windows are addressed.
Discussion encouraged some tangible reports on these findings … and possible recommendation to do one or two windows in most dire need … and to provide avenue for conversation with Building Committee and conservator regarding window restorations and time-frames, given anticipated work as part of renovation or new construction. Bill Spencer will step this up and share findings.
U Bell Tower and Chimney Issue
We have a water/rain leak at or near this area that needs to be addressed. Both towers need to be sealed like we did the exterior wall on the sanctuary building.
Bill Spencer shared that 3 contractors have been contacted, but no responses; leak issue remains.
U Roof of Evangel Center:
Depending on resolution of HVAC issues in the Evangel Center we may need to put a new roof on the Evangel Center. Placing HVAC units on the roof will not interfere with your discussions because units can be moved and replaced on roof when construction is completed.
The Building Committee thanked Bill Spencer and Trustee representative Nancy Richardson for their presence and for Trustees’ work. Building Committee looked ahead to Oct. 18 meeting with Blain Bargo, and discussed how it will proceed that night. We agreed that we are asking Blain Bargo to provide us with “process” information and any concrete suggestions for “next steps” in fulfilling our mandate from Church Conference.
Meeting adjourned 8:30 p.m.
Building Committee members present: B.J. Wyrick, Kevin Plasterer, Howard Albrecht, Heather Deutsch, and Troy Howell. Members of the congregation present: Frank Alexander and Marlin Johnson. Also Present: Brenda Gabler, Council Chair, and Trustees Bill Spencer and Nancy Richardson.
Next meeting: Wed., Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Fellowship Hall.
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