Agenda Packets - 2012/12/10 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item No: 7H Meeting Date: December 10, 2012 Type of Business: Council Business Administrator Review: ____ City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Nick DeBar, Public Works Director Item Title/Subject: Resolution 8031, Approving Building Automation System Improvements at the Community Center Background: The Community Center was constructed in three phases between 1997 and 1998. Construction for the center utilized portions of the existing Bel-Rae Ballroom building that occupied the site prior to construction. Unfortunately, there were a number of construction and design issues that occurred during and after construction of the facility for these and other reasons. Since completion, there have been many issues related to the HVAC system at the Community Center that have required many hours and expenses to diagnose and repair, with some that seem to reoccur for unknown reasons. In addition to spent time and costs to address these issues, there is an “inconvenience” cost with those that work, visit, or rent the facility spaces. Public Works has met with a number of mechanical engineering firms and mechanical contractors the past several years regarding the HVAC deficiencies at the Community Center. Every one of these firms and contractors has made mention of the outdated building automation system (BAS) that was installed at initial construction, and recommend upgrading the system. The BAS is the “brains” of the HVAC system that monitors, adjusts, and controls the various HVAC components to provide a comfortable indoor air environment. The BAS is also the interface for Public Works staff (and maintenance contractors) to monitor, adjust, and troubleshoot various HVAC related issues. The current BAS is a Barber Coleman Network 8000 controls system that is obsolete, and no parts or components are available any longer for this system. Discussion: Public Works evaluated various controls systems for replacing the Barber Coleman system and recommend a Trane Tracer SC controller. This system is a non-proprietary, open protocol, operating platform that will allow the various manufacturer controls to be operated by the system and allow for future expandability with competitive bidding. This will be particularly useful when likely future improvements are made to address humidity issues and other recommendations from the current retrocommissioning study. The only other BAS controller owned by the City is a Trane Tracker for the City Hall building, which can be interfaced with the Tracer SC controller and accessed via the network in the future. Trane provided a cost proposal to furnish and install a Trane Tracer SC controller, desktop PC, router, and Lynxspring JENE panel (including connection to the field panels) for $21,605 plus applicable taxes. The price also includes demolition of the Barber Coleman system, programming, graphics, trends, alarms, start-up, commissioning, and 16 hours of on-site training. Recommendation: City staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution approving BAS improvements to the Community Center HVAC system. This is a first big step toward a long-term solution addressing HVAC issues at the facility. Monies have been budgeted in 2012 for this study under Special Projects (480-4180-7050) for $65,000. Respectfully submitted, Nick DeBar - Public Works Director