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April 16, 2012 Building Committee Report (presented at Church Council Meeting)

The following summarizes the Building Committee activities since March 20, 2012.

  1. Fretz is continuing to make progress with the construction although they are running about 3 weeks behind schedule.  Billy Cooke will be discussing the schedule with them to find out how they plan to get back on track.  Listed below is a brief update on the construction work.
Welcome Center
All exterior demolition with respect to the new Welcome Center has been completed.  These items include removal of tree trunk, canopy structure, and railings.
All underground utility demolition is complete.  This includes the water line at the front of Welcome Center.
Select fill in three lifts has been installed.  The complete building pad is ready for concrete work.
 Concrete crews are to mobilize on Monday, April 16th.

Sanctuary
The organ pipes, windows and miscellaneous items have been covered and protected.
All necessary pews have been removed.  The restroom and stairs have been demolished.
The ceiling to the Narthex has been demolished.
Brick work on the Chancel has begun.
  1. We are negotiating a change order with Fretz Construction.  This change order will delete the large parking from the scope of work and add in the smaller parking lot on the site of Parsonage #2.  We will also be adding to the scope of work the lighting and carpet upgrade for the Sanctuary, a new sink for the Welcoming Center as well as some additional cabinets for our new coffee bar.  We are also changing the cabinets from laminate to wood.  We are also adding to the scope some select fill that is needed under the building slab.  We are receiving credits for deleting the stairs along Fifth Street and the tree removal.  We will also be adding to the work some new water line that will replace the existing waterline that is simply too old to leave in place.  These changes will increase the contract price about $27,687.  With this Change Order, our total project cost is now under the Congregation approved budget of $3,192,500 by about $23,000.
  1. Our Tree Sub-committee is still working to finalize recommendations regarding how we can re-use the wood from the oak tree that was removed from the site.  We hope to have the Sub-committee’s recommendations at our next Building Committee meeting.
  1. The Building Committee will be meeting in May to finalize some remaining items such as conduit routings for data cabling runs.
  1. Delores Sanins worked with Fretz and the Design Team to finalize our CenterPoint Energy Savings Program Application.  We hope to hear something back soon on our status.

 MARCH 20, 2012 Building Committee Report (presented at Church Council Meeting)

  • We closed on our loan on February 27th.  We are continuing to send Amegy additional documents they have requested as part of the loan commitment and some additional items they have required.
  • The Environmental Mitigation work within the Sanctuary is almost finished.  The environmental mitigation work within Parsonage #2 will be performed prior to the demolition of the parsonage, which is scheduled for July 12.
  • Our Tree Sub-committee worked with E.L.M. Tree Service to get the one tree that conflicted with the project removed prior to Fretz Construction moving on site.  The Sub-committee will be reviewing ideas to re-use the salvage wood from the tree within our Building Program.
  • Fretz Construction obtained the building permit.  Fretz has now moved on site and has begun some demolition activities.  Fretz has also been issued the For Construction plans and specifications.  Fretz is also preparing a Change Order for TurnerDuran and the Building Committee’s review.  This Change Order will add the parking lot on the site of Parsonage #2 to Fretz’s contract and it will also deduct the Fourth Street Parking Lot from Fretz’s contract. 
  • The Building Committee will be meeting soon to address some remaining items such as conduit routings for data cabling runs.
  • As for our budget, we are still tracking to be under the Congregation approved budget amount of $3,192,500.  We will have better certainty once we finalize Change Order #1 with Fretz and once we have the steel up.
  • Delores Sanins is continuing to work with Fretz and the Design Team to finalize our CenterPoint Energy Savings Program Application.

February 26, 2012 Building Program Update

  • The Environmental Mitigation work is underway at the Sanctuary and Education Building.  The work outside is finished and the scaffolding has been set in the Sanctuary.  Jason Smith has done a tremendous job keeping this moving.  Thank you Jason.

  • The single oak tree that needed to be removed to make room for the construction project is gone.  Doonie Thompson chaired a sub-committee that took care of getting the tree down and the timber (at least most of it) stored.  His sub-committee will be making a recommendation as to how to use the timber.  Thanks Doonie for leading the charge.

  • Last Friday, the Trustees signed the loan documents.  The District Superintendent is scheduled to sign on Feb. 28th.  Once this is done, we will give Fretz a notice to proceed.  Expect to see Fretz on site on Feb. 29th or March 1st setting their fence up and getting mobilized.  They will really get underway the week of March 5th.  Eric Paulsen did a great job getting the financing set up and the closing worked out.  Thanks too to Cecil Jones and Alan Tomlinson for signing on the dotted line.

  • Last week Mike Keavney with Fretz obtained the Building Permit from the City.  Our first significant hurdle is now behind us.

  • Billy Cooke will be meeting with Jack Duran and Mike Keavney to discuss the last remaining items that need to be added to the plan set.  We need to add some power outlets in the Connection Center as well as a sink and water supply.  These details will be discussed on Feb 29th.  The Interiors committee will have representation at the meeting as well. 

  • On Friday March 2nd the Pre-Construction meeting will be held at the Church - this is a milestone event!

  • Some time in March, there will be a full building committee meeting for the purpose of having Fretz walk through their schedule and to give all an update on the status of our budget.



January 8, 2012 Building Program Update

  • A called church conference was held after the 11:00 service on Sunday, January 8.  Billy Cooke presented the project as recommended by the Building Committee, as well as the negotiated financing plan.

  • Both the project recommendation and financing plan were approved by the professing members of the congregation.

  • The presentation can be viewed by clicking this link (PDF file, 1.2 Mb)

  • There will be a GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY and CELEBRATION LUNCHEON for our new Connection Center immediately after the 11:00 service on Sunday, January 15.  The event will be held in the Courtyard area adjacent to the Sanctuary and Church Offices.

November 15 Building Committee Update

1.     The following summarizes the Building Committee activities since October 18, 2011.

2.     On October 19th, Marlin Fenn, Billy Cooke and Eric Paulsen presented our Building Project to District Board of Church Location and Building.  The Board approved our Project and Financing Plan.

3.     The Design Team has submitted the construction drawings for the Connection Center and the Parking Lot on 4th Street to the City of Katy for permitting.  Our construction contractor, Fretz Construction, has started the bidding process for the set of documents as well.  The design of the Sanctuary Roofing Package and the Education Building HVAC Modification Package should be completed this month. 

4.     The Building Committee has met several times over the last month along with our A/V Subcommittee and Interiors Subcommittee.  The A/V subcommittee reviewed a proposal for A/V improvements and modifications from our A/V consultant Pro/Sound.  This proposal is still under review.  A recommendation from the A/V subcommittee will be made to the Building Committee after a coordination meeting has been held with Fretz Construction, Pro/Sound and Turner/Duran to ensure all costs and work are accounted for.  The Interiors Subcommittee has selected the floor coverings, bathroom fixtures and partition colors; counter top finishes and paint colors.  The Interiors subcommittee is also addressing cabinet and storage needs as well as reviewing options for treatments such as artwork for some of the walls.

5.     The Building Committee has decided to start the construction after the first of the year.  This will allow the HVAC modifications within the Education Building to take place after the LPS breaks for the summer.  This change will not increase the construction contract time; therefore the construction cost will not be impacted.

6.     The Building Committee authorized the Design Team to prepare construction plans for a parking lot on the site of Parsonage 2.  The Committee will make a recommendation to the congregation to construct this lot instead of the parking lot along 4th street due to the proximity of the Parsonage 2 site to the Sanctuary and the Family Life Center.

7.     The Building Committee received the environmental report prepared by ATC.  We are working on a plan to mitigate the issues that were raised in the report.  The new construction will be impacting some existing materials have contain lead and asbestos.

8.     The committee is working with three lending institutions in order to develop our short term and long term financing plan for the project.  We hope to have a good understanding of our terms by the end of November.

9.     Fretz has asked if there are any local contractors who would be interested in bidding the contract.  If so, please contact him.

10.  The Committee will be taking the final proposal to the church in January because the final price from Fretz will not be in until December 6, more information will be available on environmental issues and the financing cost.

11.  The committee predicts an early January groundbreaking after Church conference on January 8.  Marlin indicated church offices were planning on move to Parsonage #2 in early December.

12.  A rough estimate for a completion date for all construction in June/July, 2012.

 October 2, 2011 Status Report (report given by Billy Cooke at Church Services)

Good morning.  It is my pleasure to give you an update on our Building Project.
 
As a reminder, our Building Project consists of five major components, the Connection Center which will be constructed by expanding our Sanctuary to the north and to the east, Sanctuary Renovations to address line of sight issues from the balcony, choir loft and the pews, Additional Parking, Heating and Air Conditioning Improvements and the Replacement of Roofs on the Sanctuary and Education Building.
 
As of last week, the Design Team is over half way thru the construction drawing phase, which means construction plans will be submitted for permitting the week of October 24th.
 
We now have our construction contractor on board.  Fretz Construction has been selected to build our project subject to the negotiation of a contract.  Fretz will be provided construction documents the week of November 7th for final pricing.  We expect to receive their Guaranteed Maximum Price the week of November 28th.  Fretz has been and will continue to provide input on construction costs, construction phasing and constructability as we complete the drawings.
 
The Building Committee’s next steps this month include meetings to discuss the phasing of the construction, selection of colors and finishes and to determine how we will address the line of sight issues in the sanctuary.
 
As you can imagine we are getting very close to breaking ground for construction.  Right now we are anticipating this to happen in late November or early December.  There will be notices sent out prior to this event.
 
Before we take this step though, we need to take a few more administrative steps with the District and the Church.  Marlin and I are working to set a date to meet with the District Superintendent and the District Board of Church Location and Building to obtain approval of the project and the financing plan. 
 
In addition, we will be coming to our Congregation for the same approvals through a Church Conference.  Currently we have a Conference set for December 4th.   It is likely that we will be ready for the Congregation’s approval prior to the 4th.  If that materializes, notices for the additional meeting will be sent out.
 
You can find more information about the committee’s work on the Church’s website.  If you have any questions, please call the church office and the staff can direct you to the right person.
 
Thank you.

Minutes from the September 28 meeting with Billy Cooke, Jack Duran and Fretz Construction may be viewed by clicking this link (PDF)


August 29, 2011 - Status Report

We have moved past two large hurdles over the last few weeks: selecting a General Contractor, and approval by the City of Katy Zoning Board. In addition to these milestones, we have several other activities in progress. 
  1. We have selected our General Contractor.  The Selection Committee which was composed from members of the Building Committee met on Monday August 15th and short listed three General Contractors from a pool of six to invite in for presentations on Friday August 19th.  On the morning of the 19th we listened to 3 great firms present their qualifications.  We also got to meet the key staff for the project from each firm.  After careful consideration and deliberation we selected Fretz Construction.  With Fretz now joining TurnerDuran Architects and us, we have many years of experience and talent available to us to make this project successful and something that we will all be proud of for years to come.
  2. On August 18th the Zoning Board of Adjustments for the City of Katy approved our Request for Special Exemption.  This step was needed to obtain an exemption to exclude any building additions and/or renovations to our Church from the setback requirements established in the zoning ordinance which succeeded the original construction.  Jack Duran did a great job preparing the exemption request and presenting it to the Board.  We also are thankful to our committee members that offered their guidance to us on this issue.
  3. Billy Cooke has received and reviewed a proposal for environmental services from ATC Consultants Inc.  ATC provided environmental services to the Church not too long ago as the Trustees were addressing some asbestos issues.  There is one risk management item to address with ATC, and if they accept the change to their contract, we should be ready to get them underway. After reviewing any applicable documents, drawings and reports provided by us, ATC will conduct a preliminary walk-through of the impacted areas to locate interior and exterior suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Based on ATC’s understanding of the proposed scope of construction, their survey will include interior and exterior building components including the roof. Bulk suspect ACM will be collected by a licensed Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) Asbestos Inspector in accordance with TDSHS Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules.  The findings of their work will be provided to us in a report.  Once the report is in, we will determine our next step should any ACM's be found within the construction areas.
  4. Jack Duran is producing an updated project schedule. 
  5. Eric Paulsen is preparing a cash flow model to assist us as we start the financing process.  We will get input from Jack Duran and Fretz Construction in order to do this. A sub-committee will be organized to work through the details of developing our financing.  This activity will get underway soon.
  6. We have concluded our initial coordination with the Rice Harvest Festival.  Representatives of the Festival have provided information to us about equipment that is staged on site of the new parking lot during the Rice Harvest Festival.  We are working to accommodate their use to the extent we can while staying within our budget.
  7. We intentionally slowed progress on the construction plans and specifications over the last month, as we were going through the selection of the General Contractor.  We've asked Jack Duran to suspend the production until the General Contractor was on board.  Design should get restarted soon.
Minutes from the July 17, 2011 building committee meeting may be viewed by clicking this link (PDF)

 June 28, 2011 - Status Report
  • On June 1, 2011 the Building Committee met with Jack Duran and Bill Tower, the MEP consultant, to approve the schematic design for the Welcoming Center.  During the meeting Jack and Bill presented the schematic design for the Welcoming Center and for the Education Building HVAC system.  The Building Committee approved the Schematic Design for both. 
  • The committee was also shown some concepts for addressing the line of sight and acoustic problems in the Sanctuary, but these were not approved as the Design Team was still working on the design concepts. 
  • The committee was also shown a site plan for the new parking lot.  Jack noted he needed to have the parking lot plan modified as he thought the large tree within the property could be saved if the layout was changed.  The Building Committee also asked the Design Team to provide a proposal for work associated with evaluating the integrity of the existing HVAC ductwork. 
  • Minutes from the June 1 meeting may be viewed by clicking this link (PDF).
  • While we are running a little behind in terms of our schedule, Jack noted he will not have any problem hitting the permitting date.  Jack also reported he will need to request a Special Exception from the City of Katy due to the fact that our existing building is built right up to the property line.  The current City Building code requires such a step prior to allowing any building expansion.

March 23, 2011 Status Report
  • On March 23, 2011 the Building Committee held our Project Kickoff Meeting with TurnerDuran Architects.  As a first order of business Mary Butterfras, Chair of Trustees, executed the contract (click this link to view photo).
  • The Building Committee issued TurnerDuran a verbal notice to proceed with the work.  A written notice to proceed was subsequently sent to TurnerDuran on March 28. 
  • During the meeting Jack Duran, the Project Manager from TurnerDuran Architects, reviewed the scope of work, the schedule and budget.  He also presented the subconsultants that he will use on the project.  Jack also reminded Billy Cooke that at some point the Design Team will need input on finishes from the Building Committee.  Billy Cooke noted that he will provide a finishes team when necessary.   The schedule shows the project going to permitting in September.  It was noted during the meeting that the project might be split into multiple construction packages when could result in some of the work going to permitting sooner than September and some later.  It was also noted that the final construction schedule will take into consideration the church's seasonal needs for space.
  • The contract and schedule with TurnerDuran may be viewed by clicking this link (PDF).
  • Click this link (PDF) to view the design document submitted by TurnerDuran on May 17.  Please keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and is subject to change as the design gets refined.
  • Following are some graphics that will help us visualize what the new gathering space will look like.  These are concept renderings and do not neccessarily reflect final colors or finishes

January 27, 2011 Status Report
  • The Building Committee (chaired by Billy Cooke) is moving forward with contract negotiations with Turner-Duran Architects.  The Building Committee and the Trustees will be involved in the negotiations.  The contract should be finalized by mid-February, and the Building Committee will then begin the design process with Turner-Duran.

  • ·         Turner-Duran has projected the design schedule to be 9 months, after which the project would go to bid.  The 9-month time frame is exclusive of our review time.  The total project schedule would be finalized within the first 2 months of design