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Approved

MINUTES OF THE FACILITIES PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
CLARION UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
CLARION, PENNSYLVANIA
November 21, 2013 – 3:15 p.m.
Carrier Building, Room 114
Members Present: Chairman Jon Beal, Diana Brush, Deb Fleeger, Tyler Kitzmiller, Jackie Knaust,
Anita Lahr, Mike McConnell, Rein Pold, Brenda Polatty, Adam Roberts (Institutional Resources
Committee), Steve Selker, Deb Sobina (via conference phone), Ric Taylor (Ex-officio), G. Chad
Thomas
Others Present: John Massa, Marisa Nelson (Student News Reporting)
I.

Approval of Minutes – A motion was made by Chad Thomas and seconded by Deb
Fleeger to approve the October 2, 2013 minutes. Motion carried.

II.

Additional Agenda Items:
1. Facilities Planning Committee Meeting Time

III.

Old Business:
Items in Progress:
1. Foundation Suites – Ric Taylor
Progress is continuing via team meetings with Clarion University Foundation, Inc.,
and items are up-to-date with designs. It is anticipated that the developer will be
released to begin in January with signs of construction to be seen possibly by early
spring.
2. Venango – Deb Sobina
Plans are currently underway with permits and paperwork in anticipation of the
pond dredge project next summer, contingent upon regulatory approval. With
assistance by Dave Fagan, ongoing leaks to Rhoades Center are being addressed as
needed. All other items are in conjunction with the Facilities Master Plan.
3. Facilities Master Plan –Ric Taylor
Ric reported the Eastman Perkins Facilities Master Plan has been reported to the
President and her council. Perkins Eastman is slated to return to campus in

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November 21, 2013 - Page 2 of 4

January/February with plans to involve internal constituents such as the Council of
Trustees, etc.
4. Becht Hall – Ric Taylor
Phase I was completed November 19; and, the renovation contractor is now on-site.
To date there have been no change orders; so, the project is ahead of schedule at
this point. The next phase includes placing the steel framework and pouring the
concrete floors. It is not anticipated that there will be any road closures due to
staging equipment; but, when the steel arrives it may be necessary to close areas
temporarily; however, the campus community will be notified in advance. Plans call
for four floors to be occupied; and, although there will be no external fire escapes
Ric addressed questions regarding safety in that fire escapes will be located in the
stairwells.
5. Tippin – Ric Taylor
Great progress is being made on the design boards. A meeting is slated for next
week to discuss plans; and, architectural plans are due to the Department of General
Services. Ric explained that recently ground sampling has been underway to
determine the depth of underground utilities, as well as soil samples needed to
assist the engineers with structural design.
6. Environmental Subcommittee – Rein Pold
Chad Thomas reported that Emily Wilson is the new Green Team president; and,
they are currently in the process of reorganization. Rein reported that we have
recycled 207,117 pounds of electronic equipment, which is a milestone in our
recycling efforts. We currently use a recycler located in Tyrone, Pennsylvania; and,
Rein recommended the Green Team may wish to consider a site visit to their facility
at some point in the future.
7. Apple Sculpture – Chad Thomas
The sculpture is in place and is being utilized by students; however, it sustained
damage due to vandalism to the stem and leaf. The items are in our possession;
and, Chad and Shelly Wilson are in negotiations with the company to determine if
they will stand behind their work because it was not built to standard per email
correspondence prior to purchase. Repairs are estimated to be approximately $800.
8. Deferred Maintenance Projects - Becker Hall/Stevens Hall/Keeling Health Center –
Ric Taylor
Ric reported that summer deferred maintenance projects were completed regarding
Becker, Stevens, Keeling Health Center Roof, Little Theater Roof, Becker HVAC,
Stadium painting, Givan Hall Lines, Still Hall transformer, sidewalk replacement, Hart
Chapel lighting, Carter Auditorium improvements, as well as preparations for the

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November 21, 2013 - Page 3 of 4

new Scanning electron microscope which has been installed and fully functioning for
the fall semester. Plans are now underway for next summer’s projects.
9. Reinhard Villages Sidewalk – Ric Taylor
Ric reported that he recently spoke with the Clarion University Foundation, Inc., and
negotiations were completed with West Penn Power for a new pole relocation in
regard to this project. Foundation engineers have responded to additional
questions by PENNDOT; and, they are currently awaiting further action by PENNDOT.
10. Bus Service – Rein Pold
Rein reported that a meeting was held last week with representatives of Monroe
Township, Area Transportation Authority, and Clarion University. Positive news was
relayed in that student ridership numbers have increased significantly over recent
fiscal years with September fiscal year 2012 at 11,112, fiscal year 2013 at 13,356,
and fiscal year 2014 at 14,279 with an average daily ridership of 500. It was felt
increased ridership could be due, in part, to the economy; but, it is also being
favorably received by both students and the Clarion community. Discussion
followed on compressed natural gas; and, ATA will investigate that possibility as a
fuel source now that it is readily available near campus.
11. Egbert Signage – Ric Taylor
Ric indicated that additional Egbert signage was completed. In addition, as part of
the Facilities Master Plan, a “way finding consultant” was on campus assessing
current pedestrian walkways.
12. Trails – Ric Taylor/Rein Pold
Rein indicated that the University’s portion has been completed in that a Facilities
Use Agreement has been developed. However, it is under review by the other
constituents - Pennsylvania American Water, Clarion University Foundation, Inc., and
Clarion Borough.
13. Page Street Parking – Ric Taylor
Discussion was held regarding status of the east side parking spaces on Page Street
and concerns for pedestrian safety; and, although these spaces will be eliminated as
a result of the forthcoming Tippin construction, it was felt this item should be
addressed in the near term due to the heavy bus and pedestrian traffic early in the
day. It was also noted that drivers utilizing the gym facilities are parking in those
spaces in the early morning hours prior to time periods when Public Safety patrols
for parking violations. Rein Pold offered to follow up with Interim Public Safety
Director, Marcy Trombetta, regarding status with the Parking Committee; and,
additionally, John Massa will place this item on the Safety Committee agenda for
discussion.

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IV.

New Business:
1. Department Relocations – Ric Taylor
Purchasing and Contract employees have moved from Carrier building to McEntire
building; and, Student Financial Services have moved to the basement floor of
Carrier building until Becht Hall renovations have been completed. There is
currently a proposal under consideration to move Learning Technology to the
vacated space in Egbert.
2. Landscaping – Ric Taylor
Campus constituents may have noticed fall flowers that were planted in advance of
the fall semester to welcome back students. The Facilities Master Plan will
incorporate landscaping as one feature intended to aid with student retention and
campus beautification. Plans are in place to plant flowers in the spring semester as
well.
3. Synthetic Turf Replacement – Ric Taylor
The current Astroturf on stadium field is over ten years old, is past its expected life
cycle and has been repaired as much as possible. In anticipation of the expected life
cycle, monies have been set aside by Auxiliary Services for replacement. Rein added
that a contract has been approved through July 1, 2014 with expected costs below
$400,000. The replacement turf has improved design with better drainage
capabilities. It was noted that the field is used by numerous entities in addition to
Clarion University athletics, such as Special Olympics, Clarion High School,
intramurals, etc.
4. Meeting Time – Jon Beal
It was suggested that future meeting times be changed from 3:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.;
and, it was the consensus that this time change would work for most committee
members.

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 19, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. in
Carrier 114. Chairman Beal and Ric Taylor will discuss whether agenda items warrant a meeting
in December; and, the campus community will be notified if this meeting were to be cancelled.