DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Ad Hoc Courthouse Oversight Committee

November 16, 2011

DRAFT

Minutes

Ad Hoc Courthouse Expansion Committee

Meeting of November 16, 2011

Chairman Tobias called the meeting to order at 3:35pm in Gilbane Building Company’s local office at 119 North Maple Street in Sycamore, IL.  Present in addition to Chairman Ruth Anne Tobias were Maureen Josh, Larry Anderson, Ken Andersen, John Hulseberg, and Julia Fauci. Judge Klein had a jury trial and was unable to attend.  Also present were Anita Turner County Board Member,  Matt Meives, project architect with PSA Dewberry, Tom Leonard, T. Gary Spivey and Connie Fierke of Gilbane Building Company and Ray Bockman, Gary Hanson and Jim Scheffers all County Staffers.

It was moved by Larry Anderson, seconded by Julia Fauci and approved unanimously to approve the minutes of  the previous meeting.

It was moved by Julia Fauci, seconded by Maureen Josh and approved unanimously to approve the agenda for todays meeting as printed and distributed.

The first item up for discussion was the condition of the columns in the porte cochere area of the courthouse expansion.  Matt Meives explained that the two outermost columns (east and west) of the four were structurally deficient. Their condition, which had been noted previously as challenged, had deteriorated further.  He felt that it was important to deconstruct the westernmost column first to determine whether or not there was structural stability inside the columns.  He further recommended that the committee consider removing the two worst columns (east and west) and shoring up the two remaining center columns.  Mr. Spivey added that estimates for demolition only were in the $20,000 range.  Following discussion, and questions and answers the committee (following an on-site inspection) directed Matt and the project staff demo the westernmost column for inspection of underlying soundness and then follow the most cost effective path to resolve the structural repairs including, if appropriate, the removal of the two worst columns. 

The second discussion item was about the terrazzo seal that had been bid as an alternate.  Maureen asked the committee to reconsider this item as the atrium area might get too busy if other art is added as is currently being considered.  She also pointed out that with the recent circuit realignment it was possible that a court seal could change making the one that would be installed obsolete in a relatively short period of time.  Mr. Spivey noted that the bid price of this alternate was $15,000.  No shop drawings have been issued and dropping the seal at this point would generate a credit to the project budget.  A good deal of discussion ensued (as did a committee inspection of the area in question) and a final decision was deferred until some of the unknowns are better understood.  There was also discussion of the panel proposed for the upper level of the atrium that was originally to be imprinted with some pictures and a timeline.  No final decision was made but most members felt that the timeline would be very difficult to see due to the height of the panel.  Matt noted that there would need to be something in that space for sound attenuation purposes.  Both of these items will be revisited at a subsequent meeting.

A tour of the entire expansion resulted in general approval of the project to date.  The committee was especially proud and appreciative of the 164 accident-free days on the project so far. The meeting was adjourned following the tour.

Minutes Approved by:

______________________

Ruth Anne Tobias

Taken by:

______________________

Ray Bockman

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