City Manager Matthews directed the City Council's attention to a memo (regarding Proposed Change Orders) she distributed this evening. As indicated in the memo, several Proposed Change Orders (PCOs) had recently been finalized. The agreed upon value of the PCOs totaled $68,119. The projected amount for these items as of March 31, 2005 was $83,438. The PCOs would be processed as Change Order No. 19.
The City Manager then provided a status report on the permanent power connection to the building. PEPCO completed the overhead work and was in the process of obtaining the necessary permit from SHA for the underground work. The city had offered its assistance to PEPCO in trying to obtain the permit. As previously indicated, James F. Knott Construction Company estimated that it would need approximately four weeks to perform the remaining tasks to achieve the permanent power connection to the building.
City Manager Matthews informed the City Council that the color of the walkways and entryways to the building had been resolved. A different brand of lightweight concrete will be used, and we should be able to approximate the customary sidewalk grey seen with poured concrete.
The City Manager stated that she wished to publicly express her appreciation to two Takoma Park residents, John Salmen and Jim DiLuigi. Mr. Salmen and Mr. DiLuigi are architects who specialize in accessibility issues. They offered to review the Community Center plans and to discuss ways to enhance accessibility features in the new facility.
City Manager Matthews advised the City Council that one of the issues that she had discussed with Mr. Salmen and Mr. DiLuigi was the entrance to the building from the Maple Avenue bridge. As previously discussed, an area will be set aside for installation of the engraved bricks being sold by the Takoma Foundation. The original concept was to have a single rectangular area for this purpose. After discussing the matter with Mr. Salmen and Mr. DiLuigi, staff was exploring having two smaller areas separated by approximately ten feet to facilitate access to the building for those in wheelchairs, pushing a stroller, etc.
The City Manager informed the City Council that the financial report for April 30, 2005 would be delayed to a subsequent meeting. The Community Center Project Manager had a family member who had been hospitalized, necessitating her absence from the office. Staff hoped to have a report for distribution the following week.