Facilities & Technology Advisory Committee

Please see the attached document for an outline of items discussed.

The Interconnection Agreement (with Tipton Utilities) and the Power Purchase Agreement (with IMPA)  will need to be signed as soon as possible.  These will be sent to our attorney for review.  The Interconnect Agreement with Tipton Utilities is the agreement to attach to their infrastructure. It states that the maximum AC (Alternating Current) we will be putting on the grid is 480KW.  The Power Purchase Agreement with IMPA provides for a buyback from TCSC to IMPA should we need or desire to sell energy back.  The intent is not to have any to sell back, but should we need to, this spells out the process.

A discussion was held on what type of ground cover to use.  It was suggested either:

• wildflowers that would have limited height, or  
• short prairie grass that would be low maintenance, that would need to be mowed once or twice a year; it grows to 12-15 inches; it is invasive helping to overgrow weeds.

J-M will get examples to us in helping with the decision that needs to be made by August.

 The area of the field is 260X370, or 96,200 sq ft, or about 2 Acres.

Down the road, near completion, signatures will need to be given for:

• SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Credits - this will be presented when we get closer to energize the array
• Substantial completion letter (around 9/14) - this will begin warranties etc.  There may be a couple of punch list items
• Final retrofit to guarantee the start of the project.

The plan is to energize around mid-August.  School begins August 10 so they will try to energize before that time.

It was decided to use a windscreen ($8/ft) over slats ($30/ft) on the fence.  This would be decorative with the phrase "Home of the Blue Devils" underneath "Working Together for Student Success." It would have the blue devil on one side and the seal on the other.  It will be blue with white printing. The windscreen is less expensive but will need to be replaced more often (4-5 years) at about $600 that will give some variety and is much easier to install.  

J-M will use the north side of the parking area at the softball field for about two weeks (Jul 1-14) to store materials.

At some point this summer, power will need to be shut down for about two hours to make the connections.  This will be closely coordinated with the school.

We will need to decide on the monitors (location and size) to be used in the schools.   J-M will provide two.  We need to look at where we have power and internet connections for hookups. Earlier discussions in February had a preliminary list of monitors for:

• TES - Office, TSI, Community
• TMS - Office, Cafeteria, Library
• THS - Office, Cafeteria, Library, auditorium foyer

The information is web-based so teachers have access to the information in their classrooms.

The fence is up and the crews are on site.  They plan to pour the pads next week and begin setting the transformers.  We'll be seeing a lot more activity in the coming weeks.

The sealing of the pavement is currently taking place with striping scheduled to begin as early as Friday. The traffic pattern will change with one-way movement going south to north in the area outside the corporation office.  Both lanes will move S-N. The barries may be moved to the auditorium to help with one way traffic in that area,

The sinks are being installed at the elementary. 

Flooring is to be redone in the pool area locker rooms and coaches office to avoid the pooling and standing water that is taking place.  (UPDATE from the meeting: The company has been in since Memorial Day.  However, with the work they are doing, we are not sure if the problem will be taken care of.  We will be closely monitoring this.)  For some of the smaller items on the list, we have not seen anyone around. John will be contacting Norm. All items are to be done by the end of June.

With other items, Lee Company is finishing the cages in the football storage area and the chemistry room.

The working list is attached.

One item that is needed is an update of the PA System at the high school.  A quote has been updated for $27,690 (top to $32,690).  This will be through the phone system rather than separate system enhancing the security features. Speakers will also be added to the gym and auditorium (active only during an emergency) and other areas to do a complete system.  The system is programmable to only talk to certain areas.  This is a need that we will proceed with.

There is about $750K left from the extra funds.  Pricing and more specifics will be sought on the other items on the list.

We also need to look at the tennis courts.  There are some dead spots as a result of damages from the 2012 flood. We will get some firm figures on the cost (and materials) to redo the courts and have conversations with the mayor for some city funds to help.

John has been looking at gating that can be used to secure specific areas.  We are wanting something aesthetic and functional.  There is not much out there.  Conversations have been had with Lee Company.  John is also talking with Overhead Doors looking for something mounted in a bulkhead in the ceiling - similar to the one at the entrances at the middle school cafeteria.

• Twenty-six graduating seniors chose to purchase their laptops at the end of the year at $250 each ($6500).  In addition, three leaving staff members were allowed to purchase their 6-year old devices for $100.
• Information about a cybersecurity grant is available. Brian has looked into some programs that would be eligible.  The requirement is for some form of 24/7 monitoring.  With that type of service, we are looking into costs of $40-50,000/year.  Roeing, the company that provides most of our consulting for technology has a similar program but would not meet all of the requirements so they are delaying its deployment.  We will continue to investigate the possibilities in this area.  In the meantime, we have added cyber protection to our insurance policy that was recently approved.

Rick asked about having parents, organizations, or groups of people who are willing to come in and volunteer to do some work around the school before opening - trimming trees/bushed, picking up trash, etc.  John will begin a list of possible projects that could be done that our crews cannot get to this summer.

Though not part of the responsibilities of this group, the review fo the financial proposal for the SRO with the city was shared.  The mayor has agreed to all the changes proposed by the school except the administration fee. The rationale is that the city will need to hire an additional officer, or at least a .29 FTE to replace the one being assigned as the SRO and the additional workload.  For the additional $1000 annual cost ($100 for 10 months - the original proposal was for $150/month) the group thought it was worth proceeding to get this position going for the school year.