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Home My WebLink About11-07-81 Century Center Committee Tommltjnr Export CENTURY CENTER COMMITTEE the (gammon Council of tip alitg of'vutli Wroth The November 7 ,1980 meeting of the Century Center Committee was called to order at 3 :30 p.m, in Room 3 (River level) of the Century Center, by its Chairman, Councilman Beverlie J. Beck. Persons in attendance included the following: Councilman Beck; Deputy. City Attorney Terry A, Crone; Brad Dew, Century Center Building Engineer; Jay Goldman of David 'E. McDaniel Co , Inc. ; Jerry • Wehner of David E. McDaniel Co. , Inc. , Dick Nelson of Sollitt Construc- tion Co. ; Frank X. Schaefer, Century Center Committee; Tom Brubaker, Century Center Board of Managers; George R. Murray, President of Century Center Board of Managers; Brian R. Hedman, Director of Century Center; Gloria Miller, Office Manager, Phillip Ostrander, Audio-Visual Technician; Marchmont Kovas , South Bend Tribune; John Leszszynski, City Engineer; and Council Attorney, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand. Chairman Beck explained that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the water problems caused by the sprinkler system in the Century Center. She noted that it came to her attention while attending a recent event in the Century Center, She then called upon Brian Hedman for his review of the situation. Mr. Hedman passed out a handout which was comprised of several letters of correspondence as far back as December 28 , 1977 to November ' 8 , 1979. Mr. Hedman noted that the problem is not a structural leak, rather it was a problem related to the fire system and piping. He then passed around a cracked elbow which was the cause of the most recent water problems. Mr. Hedman then outlined the following examples of water problems : (1) September 2 , 1977 Freight elevator damaged due to cracked fitting. (2) June 5, 1978 - Floor of the music dance rehersal room damaged and totally replaced. (3) Mid 1978 „ Minor damage to convention hall, and back staircase. (4) October 24, 1980 - Convention Hall damaged- water cascaded in after accumulating in the insulation. M-r. Hedman stated that the City Engineer's office should have a complete file on all incidents. • PR![ ►R[IP H4SPN PUBLISHING CO. " Mr. Goldman of David E, McDaniel Co. , Inc, then outlined his companies1 involvment as follows : - October 25, 1975 - Contract awarded - June 1976 - field work begun - September 2, 1977 ^ first cracked fitting - discovered damaging elevator, Paid $48, 00 for wall cleaning and Paid $810.50 to clean piston and fix elevator door. November, 1977 - Hydrostatic test performed where 200 pounds of pressure is present for 2 hours - no leaking December 21, 1977 - System put in service December, 1977 - one year guarantee given - May 1978 - Board of Public Works issues Certificate of Substantial Compliance - June 5, 1978 - cracked elbow with music floor damaged-replaced at a cost of $4 , 000 - June 28, 1978 - Pump Test conducted 200 lbs. of pressure present resulting in a leaking elbow in a stairwell - no substantial damage - September 4, 1978 - 4th elbow leak - carpeting damaged - no insurance claim filed - October 25, 1978 - Century Center sends letter requesting all elbows replaced - December 26, 1978 -. City Attorney sends demand letter that all elbows be replaced, Mr. Goldman speculated that there were 3,500 elbows in the building of various sizes, but of all the same type of metal. He believed the City' s demand to replace all elbows was "ridiculous". - He noted that the Pittsburg Testing Lab performed several types of tests on randomly selected elbows. Of the 3 tested, one was cracked and determined to be "unsound, " and the other two were deemed to have a "useful life" and were "commercially acceptable". He stated also that the City did not purchase the maintenance package on the system. Councilman Beck questioned how many elbows of the type that have been cracking are in the Century Center, The McDaniels representative stated that he would have- to check- the- blueprints to determine that- number. Mr. Goldman stated that McDanels has sued ITT Grunnell, the manufacturer of the elbows and had discussed this with the City Attorney as to whether the City wished to join in the suit. • 1 The McDaniels Company considers the case closed with regards to the City. Deputy City Attorney Crone stated that their office has not been in contact with the McDaniels Company this year. Dick Nelson of Sollitt Construction stated that he was present when the 1st problem occurred, and believed it was caused by freezing. He sees the overall problems as a lack of communication. Chairman Beck then again highlighted that this meeting was to be for information gathering. She noted that such items as how many elbows of the type which have had problems should be determined; that a copy of the Pittsburg Testing Lab report should be reviewed and made available; and that a review * the City Engineer's office and/or City Attorney' s office may be in order., Chairman Beck thanked everyone for coming, and stated that she will be in touch with the, proper persons, The meeting was adjourned at 4 :30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, / '41 I' Beveriie J. :or Chairman AILED IM CLERK'S OFFICE DEC 4 1980 Irene Gammon COY ank SOUTH BEND,ma n3-