Civic Center’s heating system to be reviewed

Talk about it

Energy and repair costs are under scrutiny at the Jamestown Civic Center. The Jamestown Civic Center and Promotion Committee approved a project development agreement Tuesday with Energy Services Group to review the current heating system and recommend upgrades that can improve the system’s reliability and reduce energy costs.

“I would be really hard pressed to say it (the current Civic Center heating system) will make it through next winter with the current boilers,” said Reed Schwartzkopf, city engineer.

Mark Bucholz, account manager for ESA, said the Civic Center was built in 1973 and much of the heating system is original.

“The boilers are in tough shape,” he said. “It is kind of a mismatched system.”

The project development agreement will explore the costs of operating the current system and include estimates for upgrades to the heating system, insulation upgrades and window improvements.

Bucholz said the project development agreement work is free to the city if the project continues to the next stages and additional engineering work is done.

The current energy costs for the Civic Center average about $1.28 per square foot per year for the 87,000-square-foot building. Bucholz said his company could possibly reduce energy costs by 20 percent.

“We guarantee the savings of the program will offset the costs,” he said.

The Finance and Legal Committee authorized city staff to prepare specifications for the possible contracting of forester services for the city.

Vern Quam, former city forester, resigned on Jan. 21, effective immediately. No reason for his resignation was given.

“Retaining services on a contract basis may be most advantageous,” said Ramone Gumke, city councilman. “Part time is difficult to fill. Not many out there with this type of education wanting part-time work.”

City Councilman Charlie Kourajian said the city should maintain a full-time forester.

“This is a city of 16,000,” he said. “We should have a full-time forester.”

Tex Weatherly, representing the city shade tree committee, agreed.

“The forester is a pretty important position,” he said. “It’s more than just looking at trees. We don’t have emerald ash borer here yet but we’re certain it will come.”

The motion to prepare a request for a proposal for a contract forester passed on a 4-1 vote with Kourajian dissenting.

The committee also agreed to continue to explore upgrades to the administrative computer software. The city utilizes the same systems as Stutsman County, which is also exploring the same upgrades. Any changes would occur in 2014.

The committee also moved to the full City Council the authorization for closing streets in front of the bars associated with the Runnin O’ the Green. Bars requesting a street closure for the event pay a $75 fee. Second Street East in the 100 block will also be closed. This area will be set aside for vendors selling food and other products during the run. Vendors utilizing that area are required to pay a $50 fee.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

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