HomeMy WebLinkAbout10B - Contract for Replacement of Refrigeration Piping at the Prior Lake Library
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
May 18, 2009
108
Robert D. Hutchins, Building Official
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING QUOTES AND
AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF REFRIGERATION
PIPING LOCATED AT THE PRIOR LAKE LIBRARY BUILDING.
DISCUSSION:
Introduction
The purpose of this action is to authorize funding for the replacement of
underground refrigeration piping that has developed leaks at the Prior Lake
Library building.
Historv
The Prior Lake Library building is located in downtown Prior Lake. The building
was built by the City and occupied in 1999. The west side of the building houses
the Scott County Public Library. Club Prior, the City's Resource and Recreation
Center for Adults 55+, occupies the east side of the building. The Scott County
Library has been in the building since its opening. Club Prior opened in 2008.
Previously, the east side of the building was occupied by the dance studio
operated by Premiere Dance.
Two air conditioning condensing units are located in a fenced-in area on the east
side of the building. One is utilized for the Library space and the other unit is for
the Club Prior space. Refrigeration piping travels from the condensing units
under the concrete floor building to air handling units located in the basement of
the building. In September 2003, the City's maintenance service provider
discovered a leak in one of the underground pipes that serves the library. The
single pipe was replaced. The leak was determined to be caused by a field joined
solder connection that was assembled at the time of building construction. By
that date the warranty had expired.
In the fall of 2007, a small leak was discovered in the refrigeration piping that was
above ground and accessible. The leak at the joint was fixed. In the fall of 2008,
another minute leak was discovered in an underground refrigeration pipe serving
the Library. This pipe has not been fixed as it is located within a plastic conduit
below the concrete floor. The Library is currently operating on one half of the
condensing unit and is adequately being cooled. With the start up of air
conditioning units this spring, yet another leak in underground refrigeration piping
that services Club Prior was detected. At the present time, Club Prior is not
being cooled with mechanically-produced air but by low temperature outside air
which is introduced into the duct distribution system. Without air conditioning,
Club Prior will be unusable during peak temperature days.
Current Circumstances
To return the air conditioning to full operation, the city staff prepared plans and
specifications and a Request for Quotes. Three mechanical contracting
companies offered prices for completing this work, including abandoning all
www.cityofpriorlake.com
R\Council\2009 Agenda Reports\05 18 09\Library a-c ~F:'g~~o~52 .447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
underground refrigeration pipes and replacing them with piping that is routed
horizontally in the attic of the building and then vertically through a closet in Club
Prior to the air handling units in the basement.
I Pearson Mechanical Services Inc.
Metropolitan Mechanical
Contractors, Inc.
I Yale Mechanical Inc.
The three quotes for replacing the underground refrigeration piping is as follows:
Vendor Quote{ All Alternate #1
Piping)
$34,900.00
$41,790.00
$10,500.00
$17,400.00
$42,200.00
$14,400.00
Conclusion
Staff is proposing to use Pearson Mechanical Services Inc. for replacing the
underground refrigeration piping in an amount not to exceed $34,900.00.
ISSUES:
Alternate 1 would replace only the piping that is leaking. This would result in less
of a fiscal impact on the budget but our experience shows that this will be only a
stop gap measure and we will soon be replacing other pipes. There are a couple
of factors to consider with Alternate 1. Two or three additional breaks, in addition
to inconveniencing building users, will cost the city more than doing the whole job
now. It is our belief that one of the workers on the pipe was unfamiliar with
effective solder joints. While they initially hold, the vibration and expansion and
contraction of the pipes ultimately results in leaks. With each leak, Freon is
introduced into the atmosphere. Freon is known to destroy the ozone.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
It is recommended that the funds for this repair be drawn from General Fund
contingency. This account has a balance of $294,000.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Motion and second to adopt a Resolution authorizing expenditures from
General Fund contingency for the replacement of underground refrigeration
piping at the Library building in an amount not to exceed $34,900.00.
2. Choose alternate #1 for the replacement of only the leaking underground
refrigeration piping.
3. Defer this item and provide staff with direction.
RECOMMENDED
MOTION:
Alternative No 1
Reviewed by:
r:tJ
4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
RESOLUTION 09.xxx
A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING QUOTES AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR THE
REPLACEMENT OF REFRIGERATION PIPING LOCATED AT THE
PRIOR LAKE LIBRARY BUILDING.
Motion By:
Second By:
WHEREAS,
The City-owned Library building has leaks in the underground refrigeration piping that
provides air conditioning for the building; and
WHEREAS,
The Club Prior space of the Library building does not currently have air conditioning;
and
WHEREAS,
City staff obtained three quotes for the replacement of underground refrigeration piping
that has developed leaks; and
WHEREAS,
Pearson Mechanical Services Inc. provided the lowest quote of $34,900.00 for
replacing the underground refrigeration piping; and
WHEREAS,
Replacing the refrigeration piping with overhead piping will provide dependable and
repairable cooling service for the Library building.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE, MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. City staff is authorized to employ Pearson Mechanical Services Inc. to replace the underground
refrigeration piping with above ground piping.
3. Funding in an amount not to exceed $34,900 is authorized from the General Fund contingency
account.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF May 2009.
YES
NO
I Haugen
I Erickson
I Hedberg
I leMair
I Millar
Haugen
Erickson
Hedberg
leMair
Millar
Frank Boyles, City Manager
www.cityofpriorlake.com
RICouncill2009 Agenda Reportsl05 18 091Library resolution.doc / 9 2 4245
Phone 952.447.9800 Fax 5 .447.