UW-Eau Claire University Center Steering Meeting
Meeting Minutes
July 21, 2009
S202
8:15 – Noon
Rick Gonzales, Susan Harrison, Terry Classen, Beth Hellwig, Candy Wilson, Chris Buckley, Kate Hale
ACTION ITEMS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Bray/Burt Hill Provide mechanical layouts.
Change layouts to reflect restroom exit doors swinging out.
Widen hallway by Alumni Room
Add lounge to third floor women’s restroom
Charles Farrell Provide inventory of current furniture to be used in new building.
Committee
Establish date for design team to make presentation to the Plan Commission
Establish list of outstanding issues
Meet with biology and other pertinent departments regarding Little Niagara
Obtain copy of alcohol policy
1. Dr. Hellwig gave an overview of the agenda for today’s meeting.
2. Rick added an agenda item for him and Terry to talk about their meeting with the Department of
Natural Resources (DNR).
3. Reviewed meeting minutes from July 14 and talked about Terry and Rick’s changes.
4. Item 2 of July 14th minutes was discussed. Need to discuss with Bray/Burt Hill options on the dry land
access.
5. Reviewed action items from July 14 meeting. Beth needs to ask Bray/Burt Hill who will be attending the
meeting on July 28. Terry needs mechanical layouts. Terry and Rick both have questions on the vent
hoods for the kitchens.
6. Beth questioned whether the new exhaust hoods that are being installed in Davies could be reused in
the new building. Chris didn’t think that was a possibility.
7. Rick questioned whether there is the need for as much hooding as currently planned. This was also
thought to be a Board of Health issue.
8. Bray/Burt Hill needs to provide more detail on back of house, servery, and impact of hooding on other
floors.
9. Minutes for the July 14th meeting were approved as modified.
10. Rick and Terry provided feedback on their meeting with the DNR. It was a pre-application conference.
The flood plain and what it is, dry land access, grading, bridge permits and Chapter 30 (administrative
rules concerning being near the creek) were discussed. Public notice is required and this could create
the need for a public hearing. Discussion also occurred on whether two or three bridges would be
replaced. It was felt that only two bridges would be replaced due to cost. The university would prefer
to do all three. Kate made commitments to the DNR that this project would work on some aspects of
improving Little Niagara (invasive species) which originally were not to be included in the project. Terry
and Rick felt the meeting was very positive. Some public hearings would be our responsibility, if
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required. Some are the responsibility of the city. Terry Classon will be the liaison for setting up any
public meetings. Terry explained the process of public hearings and who should attend. Attendance by
committee members and student body are always a plus. Beth questioned if it is time to reach out to
the neighbors and other community groups. Biology, geography, Native American Studies need to be
met with. The Chancellor needs to meet with members from the community and City Council. Kate
Hale should also be in attendance at these meetings. Susan suggested having one meeting in the
Science Building and inviting all departments in that building.
Sustainability and LEED Certification – Received information on the cost of LEED certification. There
were various prices. Met with the students and Tim Luttrell to discuss the pros and cons. With budget
being a concern, it was decided to build to silver but not get certification. Kate Sullivan said she would
get some figures and the issue would be revisited in August. Not enough information has been shared
at this point to make a decision. If there are budget issues, is this an important item? Susan suggested
coming up with our own “standard” for the building. The pluses and minuses of LEED certification were
discussed. Build sustainability into building and not worrying about certification seemed to be the
consensus of the committee. Kate Hale will talk to Michael Umhoefer about this issue. Certification is
not in the budget for the project. There is $400K in the budget for sustainability. The committee would
have to find external resources to pay for certification or reduce program.
Kate Hale asked what the status is on heating and cooling. This is on the agenda for the July 28 meeting.
Floor Finishes – Bray/Burt Hill gave a list of all areas of flooring. Charles and his staff went through and
determined which types of floor coverings should go where. The committee needs to remember we
need wainscoting and protection on walls for the many carts that will be used. Since finishes are a long
term investment, the committee needs to be careful in this area if the budget needs to be cut. This
philosophy also needs to be incorporated in the mechanical areas.
Explanation of what some of the types of flooring listed consist of, i.e. epoxy, sealed concrete. Kate Hale
asked if there were any concerns with VOC on any of the products listed. Carpet tiles are a recycled
product and can be recycled.
Beth would like wood accents where possible (UW-Stout).
The committee would like to find out the cost of terrazzo – Rick Gonzales will investigate.
Beth would like to see the vision of the Dulany expanded. She would like to see wood on the floor.
Why isn’t there more terrazzo in the lounges and dining area instead of carpeting? Carpeting is easily
stained and seems to require more maintenance. Carpeting in vending area is not appropriate.
The bookstore on second floor should be sealed concrete.
Third floor flooring requirements were fine as written.
There will be a meeting on July 27 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. for University Center Staff, Steering and
Building Committees, Bray/Burt Hill and students to review each floor.
Issues to bring to Bray/Burt Hill include:
- Budget – where do we stand?
- Parking – what extent is this project responsible for parking?
- Damage to Phillips lot is to be included in the cost of the project
- If the city of Eau Claire requires a one to one replacement of parking, should additional parking east
of the building be considered as part of the project?
- What are ceiling heights of the ballrooms?
- Would like a sample of the metal being used on the outside of building
- Need more layouts on air handlers and other mechanical equipment
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- More details on servery and back of house
- Kitchen exhaust hoods
- Placement of waste removal to not be an eyesore to the public
- Are there other ramps other than the one currently shown?
- What features are included in the building to address emergency and safety issues?
- Have we received the final copy of Pre-Planning document that incorporates all comments?
- Need to determine the status of dismantling of the existing Davies Center.
Candy Wilson presented some ideas University Centers staff has been looking at. She explained the
themes for the Green Bean and the coffee shop. This material should be presented to Shawn at the
Monday afternoon meeting.
Comments on the exterior included too much glass, don’t have floor to ceiling glass and what does the
metal work look like?
The fireplace from the exterior doesn’t look good. Need to see more detail.
Dormers windows don’t appeal to some.
The two doors that you can’t get in on the south side are a problem. Bray/Burt Hill are working on a
redesign.
Beth is still looking for rounded windows.
Have not achieved “WOW” factor with this design.
Don’t like the narrow windows in The Cabin.
Don’t like exterior look. Would like to see something different on exterior.
Too much red in the brick.
Clip out ideas from publications and suggest ideas.
Did not like the wood pergolas.
All of the windows are square.
Entry way should have larger space covered.
As a group not quite satisfied with elevations.
Do not want north woods look. We have lost the warm look and the building looks more institutional.
Request from the architects three different looks for the exterior. Tie this in with budget issue and value
engineering.
Do not want to emulate Phillips building.
Ask for possible looks of exterior buildings that they know of. Go back to Focus Group responses to
exteriors that they liked.
Monday and Tuesday dates
a. Review changes
b. Discuss third floor
c. Return to exteriors
d. Electrical and mechanical
e. Sustainability
Need to figure out strategy with budget in the near future. Maximize reuse of equipment, etc.
Where are we getting the materials and do we hire local people? The committee would like a
commitment to local business.
Think about if budget cuts are necessary, where would the committee cut? Cannot cut design at this
point, would have to cut materials, etc.
Meeting adjourned.