Broadwater Task Force - January 26, 2009

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Broadwater Task Force

School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

January 26, 2009

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

The Broadwater Task Force of School District No. 2, Yellowstone County, Montana, held a Committee Meeting at Broadwater Elementary School, Billings, Montana, on Monday, January 26, 2009. Chair Julie Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. Committee members present were: Nate Allie, Sheryl Alpers, Julie Anderson, Weldon Birdwell, Jodi Cockburn, Dennis Deppmeier, Jon Dyre, Jim Hartung, Karin Lucas, Travis Niemeyer, and Rachel Romei. Members absent were: Eric Anderson, LuAnn Birdwell, Jason Jam, Wendy Jam, and Gary Romei. Also present were Ex-Officio Members Lee Kvilhaug and Kathy Aragon, Architects Bob LaPerle, Keith Rupert, and Kristine Keller. RMC Interns Kurt Klein and Nathan Schmitz were also in attendance.

 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE PUBLIC

 

There was no public communication.

 

APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

The minutes of the January 12, 2009 meeting were approved.

 

DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC BUILDING IMPACTS

 

Chair Julie Anderson started the meeting by stating the goal tonight is to select a plan or plans to present at the next public meeting. Discussion was held as to the impact the State Historic Preservation Office, SHPO, has on funding the construction and remodeling of Broadwater School. SHPO does not provide direct funding for the project; but if state funds are used then SHPO has a say in the building changes. Keith Rupert has five designs to present tonight that have also been presented to SHPO. SHPO will need to see the final plans before giving approval; but at this point SHPO is favorable towards the first three plans. The fourth plan doesn’t meet SHPO guidelines and the fifth plan is for demolishing the old building.

 

CTA ARCHITECTS PRESENTATION

 

Julie Anderson turned the meeting over to Keith Rupert of CTA Architects. Keith presented five project designs to the Committee.

 

The first plan (A) would provide a new three story building on the east end of the property with a new gym added on the west side of the old building. There would be a connection between the old and new building. This plan would require one elevator. The difficulty with this plan is in the after hours access to the gym. Access through the old building would not be feasible so another exterior handicapped entrance would be required. Also, a variance will be required for the new building. The set back requirement is 20 feet; the variance would probably be for ten to twelve feet. This plan would allow classes to continue during construction without the use of portable classrooms which would save a considerable amount of money. At the end of construction, the old annex would be removed.

 

The second plan (B) would put a new gym and academic building on the east end of the property with a connection between the new and old academic buildings. The cafeteria would be positioned below the gym to make the building as compact as possible so as to provide more playground area. This plan would also require a variance for the set backs. Hydraulic lifts might be used in the cafeteria for delivering supplies and removing trash. This plan would provide easier after hours access to the gym. This plan also would allow classes to continue during construction without the use of portable classrooms. The old annex would be removed at the end of construction.

 

The third plan © would put the new buildings on the west end of the property and build over the current annex. This plan presents more problems during construction and would require the use of portable classrooms.

 

The fourth (D) plan has the new academic building and gym on the south side of the property along Broadwater. This plan shields the playground from the Broadwater traffic but obstructs the existing school. Two elevators would be required. This plan does not meet SHPO guidelines.

 

The fifth plan(E) presented was for all new construction. The buildings would be put along south side and east end of the property. Classes would be held in the current buildings then demolished at the end of construction.

 

Tearing down the old building will result in a loss of state/federal funds in regard to SHPO. Although the cost to build new is less than the cost to remodel, there is a possibility those cost savings could be comparable to the additional SHPO funding available if the old building is remodeled. Plans A and B would be the most economical with Plan C being the less efficient.

 

DISCUSSION OF OPTIONS

 

After considerable discussion of the pros and cons of each option, Chair Julie Anderson called for a show of hands to decide which plans will be presented to the public. The votes cast were:

Plan A – 0 votes

Plan B – 9 votes

Plan C – 0 votes

Plan D – 0 votes

Plan E will be kept as a comparison as requested by the School Board

 

CTA Architects will provide floor plans, exterior designs, and costs for Plan B and Plan E at the next Task Force meeting.

 

Discussion was also held regarding the playground. Fencing options, basketball courts, a soccer field, hard surfaces, primary and intermediate areas, and playground equipment were some of the items discussed. The playground areas will be designed at a later date.

 

SET DATE FOR NEXT TASK FORCE MEETING AND PUBLIC MEETING

 

The next Task Force Committee meeting will be held on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Broadwater Elementary School. The public meeting will be held Tuesday, February 17, 2009 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Broadwater Elementary School gym.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business Julie Anderson adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.