Thursday's Internet Edition, December 04, 2008.
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| AIRMAIL – Maggie Gardner received a reply from a woman in Tipton after releasing a balloon with her name in it during Nursing Home Week at Hamilton Healthcare Center. The balloon traveled 294 miles before falling to the ground and being found about 100 miles from Houston. Mrs. Gardner is 93 years old and the mother of Randy, Larry, LaRue, Sandra and Cleone. She likes to participate in all the activities at Hamilton Healthcare, but she particularly enjoys eating. Pictured with Mrs. Gardner is activity director Donna Vick who organized the balloon release. On the day the photo was taken the center was holding a wheelchair wash in the front lawn and a power washer can be seen in the background. Staff Photo |
School board members Jon Mark Jester, William Lasater, Nancy Diaz, Dan Chorenziak, Kasey Kunkel and Diana Freeman were all present. Herman Lanmon Junior presided at the meeting.
Tom Rehak and Jack Sims, Vanguard Contractors, were present to discuss the Kooken Field track and recommend possible repair options.
The original plan for the renovation was to replace the track surface only without disturbing the asphalt.
Rehak explained that upon examining the asphalt, it was discovered that where the track has been patched in the past the asphalt is wearing off. He said the adhesion has broken down and the patches are peeling. He said that the base is, however, in good shape.
He gave the board four possible options for solving the problem.
Option A: Overlay the existing track with 1 1/2” asphalt. The cost of this option would be $70,000.
Rehak said this would make the track smooth, however it would cause a 1 ½” “lip” on the outside. The track edges would not be smooth and there would be ADA problems.
Option B: Replace 50% of the asphalt with 3” of new asphalt in the section from the northwest corner beginning at the main gate to the southeast corner where the patches are. The cost of this option would be $76,000.
Option C: Mill off 1 ½” of the asphalt on the entire track and replace with new asphalt. The cost of this option would be $84,397.
Rehak said the milling equipment is extremely heavy and could cause damage to the base. “This could end up being a catastrophic effort,” he said. “I would not encourage you to do that at all.”
Option D: Remove all the asphalt, reshape the base and replace it with new asphalt. The cost of this option would be $137,000.
“This is the best option for your district,” Rehak said. “It is a more costly, but it is like maintaining your automobile, it’s pay me now or pay me later.”
“Your next best option is ‘option B’,” he went on. “That’s a very, very good option to pursue.”
Diaz asked Bell which option he recommends.
Bell said he recommends ‘Option B.’
“It looks like we have ended up with $15,000 in savings to the district. We are not charging a fee for the asphalt repair,” Rehak said. “It was unforeseen and it’s got to be fixed. I think it’s very important that we get a good track system.
Rehak told the board that the life expectancy of a track is 7-9 years. He said the warranty on the track is five years and on the asphalt is one year.
Jester said that he would like to get bids for the asphalt work on the track.
“I don’t think you’ll get any,” Rehak said. “There are not many people who do it.”
“There might not be anybody else bid it and we wasted four weeks, but there might be somebody else to bid and we save $25,000,” Jester said.
Nancy Diaz made the motion seconded by Dan Chorenziak to go with ‘Option B’ for repair of the track at Kooken Field. Lasater, Lanmon, Freeman and Kunkel voted in favor. Jester opposed.
Rehak told the board that they are still planning to make the August 15 deadline, however they are running approximately one week behind at this time. He said he expects to make up the time in the next few weeks.
Upon reconvening from closed session, the board voted on several motions.
They accepted Bell’s recommendation regarding Dossey’s salary, and his recommendation to employ Gina Poe on an 11 month, one year term contract with the Hamilton I.S.D. for the 2008-2009 school year. Poe will replace Mona Gloff as elementary assistant principal. Gloff recently took the position of Hamilton Junior High principal.
Eddy Pettit was hired on multiple assignment and Chuck Lackey was hired subject to assignment.
The board acknowledged the resignations of junior high teacher Gayle Thompson and assistant band director Dan Wilhelm, wishing them the best in the future.
Trustees approved Ramon Haile as the auditor for the Hamilton I.S.D. for the 2007-2008 school year financial records and other mandated audits.
They also approved the Central Texas Shared Services Agreement for the 2008-2009 school year as presented as well as payment of bills and financial reports.
Business manager Jimmy Adams and Bell reviewed vehicle transportation data for the 2007-2008 school year and Bell reviewed the board’s summer planning calendar and verified special meeting dates.