Minutes of Meeting

CAMPUS SPACE AND FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Union Studio - Memorial Union
Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 2:30 p.m.

Members Present: John Adams, Craig Schnell, Emili Carlson, Kim Bromley, Verlin Hinsz, Amy Uthus, Joe Latimer, Kathleen Slobin, Cindy Urness, Marcelo Carena, David Rider

Members Absent: Tim Singelmann, Dean Gross

Ex-Officios Present: Kristi Wold-McCormick, Bruce Frantz, Paul Gleye, Don Hanson, Ray Boyer

Others Present: Michael Harwood, Gina Haugen, Aubrey Ketterling

Chairperson, John Adams, called the meeting to order. VP Adams made a correction to the minutes of the previous meeting. They should read:

The City of Chapel Hill has had a fare-free city transit for the past ten years that was paid with federal, state, city, and a self-implemented student fee funding. The University also charged a ten percent campus wide fee per pay period for the service.

Amy Uthus moved and Joe Latimer seconded that the minutes from the previous meeting be approved as amended.

NISKANEN APARTMENT SIGN REVIEW & APPROVAL (Michael Harwood)
Michael Harwood, Student Affairs, distributed information on a proposed sign for the newly renamed Niskanen Apartments. The concept is that the sign will be located in the center of the loop/island situated on the west side (front) of the apartment building. The sign’s design incorporates the shape of the building’s entrance, keeping the look simple, easy to recognize, and congruent with those signs on the north side of the campus.

Michael stated the following in response to committee questions and comments:

Other signs in this area will be removed this summer, with new signs replacing them in the future. The rationale is that people don’t recognize that the apartment buildings are NDSU buildings.
Residence Life would like the new signs to be more like the brick signs in that area of the campus – larger and readily visible – that will complement both the Niskanen sign and the existing buildings.
When asked about unified NDSU signage, VP Adams indicated that signs in areas such as the housing apartment complex and research park will be a little different than the green and yellow building signs on the campus proper because these areas are gateways to the campus.

After the discussion, VP Adams called for a motion to accept the proposed signage for the Niskanen Apartments. Kathleen Slobin made a motion and Amy Ulthus added a second. (Gina Haugen left at this time for another meeting, so Aubrey Ketterling substituted for her as recording secretary.)

2007-08 PARKING REGULATIONS REVIEW (Bruce Frantz)
Bruce Frantz distributed the new parking regulations brochure for the 2007-08 academic year. Points of discussion:

C Lot (between Dunbar and Engineer Tech) will revert back to a “normal” lot where parking is allowed after 4:30 p.m. and will no longer be a C permit only lot. IACC visitors use this lot frequently after hours because of the location, so it makes sense to utilize it when it’s empty.
There is no parking on campus streets unless otherwise designated by signs. People think that the absence of signs means that parking is allowed but the opposite is true.
Failure to display a parking permit properly (from the rearview mirror) will result in a ticket being issued.
Vehicles displaying a handicap permit also need to display an NDSU permit, except for the visitor’s pay lot.
Designated University breaks are not official holidays (spring break, summer, etc.) A question was asked if NDSU allows parking adjacent to the Ag lots west of 18th Street during Redhawks games. Bruce indicated that parking is not allowed here or on the street by the Safety Office.
Employee parking is not permitted at the end of a designated parking row if the space isn’t designated as such, i.e., with striping.
The parking permit fee will remain at $110 for the 07-08 year; however, this is the final year of the current plan so the fee structure will be revisited.

Kim Bromley inquired if the downtown parking pass could still be used to park in the T2 Lot on campus because he did so and received a parking ticket. Bruce said that there is a burden on the T2 Lot for space so that may have resulted in the ticket but he would check into it. Kim stated that there are always spaces in T2 when he drives up. Marcelo Carena asked what the process is if the lot is oversold. Bruce said that T2 is oversold by a significant amount because of the comings and goings of faculty during the day. Most of the lots on campus are oversold – some by forty-six percent, some by ten percent – to accommodate parking, but Facilities Management tries to manage the number. The percentage varies from lot to lot depending on parking usage. Student and commuter lots are oversold by different percentages than are faculty/staff lots.

Amy asked where in the parking brochure does it state that parking is allowed in the Visitor’s Pay Lot after 6 p.m. Joe Latimer responded that Section 20 indicates the time as after 4:30 p.m. as does Section 22. Bruce replied that the lot attendant is there until 6 p.m., but if a vehicle comes to the lot after 4:30, the driver won’t receive a pass. Students were initially told that they had to pay in advance, but that’s not the case.

MATERIALS HANDLING FACILITY (Bruce Frantz)
Bruce updated the committee on the progress of the project and distributed a drawing of the building. This is the first state appropriated building in many years. There have been several project road blocks along the way – the location, different agency discussions on building codes, protocols, and the like. The building committee has attempted to satisfy the cares, concerns, and wishes of the entities involved, but this has resulted in the project going over budget. There is now a need to identify if other funds should be used or if something be cut from the project.

Kim Bromley inquired on the types of “green” items being used in the building. Bruce indicated that the only green item included thus far is heat recovery. Since the project is state funded and is already over budget, green options are not as viable due to the cost. In the past, energy grants were available to assist with projects, but they are no longer in use because of performance contracting.

The building committee had investigated geothermal energy, and when the College of Business building was being considered for the current site, a backup generator for the building was also considered. However, given what will/needs to be in the building, green items aren’t economically feasible because of the funding that’s in place. The committee has indicated to the architect, though, that green options should be taken into consideration.

Marcelo said he heard it mentioned that chemicals will be going into the building. Bruce replied that there will be various components of the building that will allow for chemical storage – the north side of the building will house agricultural chemicals, since they aren’t as restricted, and secured rooms along the south side of the building will be equipped for different temperatures because of the chemicals being stored there. A secured overhead door will be installed to allow tractor/trailers access to the interior of the building. Also, the building’s location will be central to those areas of campus needing the services. Authorized personnel will be able to control delivery of chemicals from the building to departments and from departments back to the building, rather than the current process of deliveries being made to publicly accessible building areas on campus.

SUMMER PROJECTS (Bruce Frantz)
Bruce updated the committee on the projects that will be taking place this summer:

Roofing Projects – Waldron, BSA, Stevens, Auxiliary Enterprises, Dolve, Dunbar, Architecture; bids came in under budget; goal is to be completed by beginning of fall semester; three contractors doing the work.

Parking Lots – T2 Lot already partitioned off for repair; eastern half of HR lot and visitor pay lot will be offline effective May 14 (Monday after commencement); HR lot open in time for Redhawks All-Star game as they are hosting the event.

Visitor Pay Lot – Changes will be made to the pay lot; 55 additional spaces will be added; popular lot for visitors and guests; two-thirds of vehicles there are faculty, staff, and students willing to pay a fee since lot is centrally located; takes some of the pressure off CF and W lots; some people will be moved permanently to pay lot; increase visitor spaces by 25 (of the 55 new spaces); parking attendant will no longer be there – an automated machine dispensing tickets will take his place; ability to pay with cash, credit/bison/debit cards; will lose face-to-face personal contact with visitors without attendant but most parkers aren’t visitors anyway; parking after 4:30 will remain the same; staff will be at lot during first couple of weeks of operation to instruct people on how to use ticket machine; lot size will increase because trees near engineering will be removed; parking will also go along sidewalk; still trying to decide location of ticket machine because of snow removal, pedestrian safety, etc.

Concern expressed about the number of trees being lost to parking spaces in the lot (eight large evergreens) but lost 92 last year because of Memorial Union construction; plant $15,000 worth of trees on campus each year; trees will be planted along perimeter in future, but area will be warm this summer due to no shade.

Arboretum committee still functioning; various ideas will be taken from various student projects for campus Dakota Plaza improvements; simple projects may be implemented this summer with more expansive projects becoming multi-year plans; funding may be an issue.

17th Avenue – Construction to start May 14 (Monday after commencement); street will be open for Fargo Marathon on May 19th; try to have it open for pedestrian traffic but not vehicular, for events such as USA Wrestling and Rib Fest.

12th Avenue – Design portion of project is 30% completed at this point; will be closed to vehicular traffic between 18th and 10th Streets but will be open to pedestrians; University will redo entrance to Music Ed building at same time 12th Avenue being updated; will be made handicap accessible and some planting changes; street project will take about two years; bridge (viaduct) will be under construction for two year because adding a lane; offset of street between Albrecht and Barret Street will remain as it is now; portion of project near campus will be done next summer; lot on corner of University and 12th will remain as parking for Burgum Hall residents; area from Independent Study building to Barrett Street will lose houses; question on development across from Library on south side of 12th – is a different project but University also working with that developer; property owner in middle of section won’t sell. (Subsequent to the meeting, NDDOT has delayed the street portion of the project until summer 2009.)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE (John Adams)
VP Adams stated that the legislature has eight days remaining in the session. Rep. Monson introduced amendments that were not friendly to the NDUS. Hopefully, the amendments will be defeated and then we will be left with the proposed Governor’s budget. Ag’s budget is on track as well.

OTHER BUSINESS
An email was received from Kay Beckermann stating that a banner would be placed on Askanase Hall for the Little Country Theater performances for that semester. Don Hanson indicated that there used to be a sign with this information located where the mask sculpture currently resides. Bruce suggested that banners be placed for the individual event and not for the entire year. Kim Bromley inquired if there are standards for banners and their display. Bruce stated that there isn’t. Kim said that he would like to see something/place that would announce the event/show’s information. Bruce commented that when the mask sculpture was put in, a plan was in place to put in an electronic message board between the masks and handicapped parking. The conduit for the sign is in place but lack of funding for the sign is the primary issue. John indicated that someone should get back to Ms. Beckmann with this information and that the practice probably won’t be put in place until next year.

Paul Gleye stated that the campus has looked wonderful for the past couple of summers. John said that it’s unfortunate that the two biggest events of the year (commencement and homecoming) have to occur before and after the time period when the campus is at its best.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Gina Haugen & Aubrey Ketterling, Recording Secretaries