Building Committee

Building Committee Update

May 3, 2011

Dear Church Family and Friends,

The excitement continues to build in our church, especially with the Building Committee (BC), as we work on the Phase 1 project – connecting link, education center – and sanctuary HVAC. To keep you current of our progress, we offer answers to some questions and a more detailed look at our actions and activities.

Where are we on funding the project? How successful was the campaign?

We celebrate that we have pledges for more than $2 million! These pledges will fund 2/3 of the proposed project, and we are committed to completing the entire project. We are thus exploring other funding sources, including energy grants, city benefits, additional gifts, memorials, FUMC Foundation, Kansas Area Foundation, and short- and long-term loans.

The BC is sensitive to what is happening in our economy, and we are acutely aware of the concern in our congregation over borrowing money. We are also sensitive to the tremendous opportunity that we have to grow our church and provide services to both our congregation and our community.

When will the construction begin?

Relocating the alley, building the connecting link, and upgrading the sanctuary HVAC could begin as soon as this fall. Renovating the education center will wait until late next spring so that we experience the least disruption to our children’s ministries as possible. All is contingent on the appropriate approvals.

What are the next steps?

We are developing detailed drawings, cost estimates, and financial plan to present to our congregation (church conference) and the District Board of Church Location and Building for final approval. To do so, we have extended our contract with Howard + Helmer Architects, and we are seeking a general contractor.

We are also working directly with city staff toward approval to redirect the alley, including meetings with planning board, city commission, and historic preservation board.

When information is ready, we will have a congregational meeting.

When do I start paying my pledge? How do I make a pledge?

We will need cash on hand to begin construction, so we are accepting contributions now. The Connecting in Faith capital campaign was designed for pledges to run from April 2011 through March 2014. (Please note “Bldg Fund” on envelope or memo line of check.)

To make a pledge, please contact the church office for a pledge card – or pick up a pledge card from the entry areas to the sanctuary.

Whom do I contact with questions or comments?

We welcome your input! The BC members are listed below, and they will be glad to chat with you. You may send info to srpastor@fumcmanhattan, and Rev Kay will forward to the BC.

We appreciate the patience demonstrated by our congregation while working through the necessary timeline to realize Phase 1. We know that the commitment made by the congregation through your pledges is an expression of your faith and commitment to God. As a Building Committee, we take seriously the awesome responsibility that the congregation has entrusted to us. We are continuing to be guided by our church Strategic Ministry Plan and Goals, as well as the necessary portion of the Book of Discipline, and most importantly, our Lord. We ask for your continuing prayers as we move forward.

For further information, the following page contains a more detailed look at the activities and actions of the Building Committee.

Respectfully submitted,

Rick Gwaltney

Building Committee Chairperson

BC Members: Lee Taylor, Larry Fox, Lynn Blecha, Thaniel Monaco, John Walters, Keith Jevons, Susie Olsen, Jan Hawley, Kent Manuel, Jon Funk, Kay Scarbrough

ACTIVTIES AND ACTIONS OF FUMC BUILDING COMMITTEE

March & April 2011

March 3 – BC meeting

• Transitioned from Lee Taylor to Rick Gwaltney as chairperson
• Agreed to proceed with entire Phase 1 project as recommendation to congregation – contacted H+H Architects to discuss start date and to complete master plan
• Set joint meeting with Trustees, and Finance Committee
• Set meeting date with city officials to discuss re-plat and zoning of alley

March 16 – BC meeting with architects

• Reviewed final master plan (with focus on HAC)
• Established preliminary time line for Phase 1 project
• Received presentation on construction delivery methods & general contractor selection

• Discussed congregational updates – possibly one during worship after March 27 and additional ones as information available

March 31 – Sub-meeting with district superintendent (Howard Johnson) and chairperson of District Committee on Church Location and Building (Norm Simmons)

• Discussed Discipline requirements for approval by district and congregation = 1/3 cash on hand, 1/3 pledges, 1/3 loan – detailed set of plans and specifications, reliable estimate of cost, financial plan

March 31 – Joint meeting of BC with Finance, Trustees

• Invited supported for project – and sanctuary HVAC
• Discussed funding possibilities – grants, loans, etc.
• Affirmed need to keep congregation informed of progress via letters, website, etc.

April 4 – Chairperson meeting with architect

• Made copy of HAC original drawings
• Discussed Education Center renovation with Susie Olsen and Mindy Turner

April 6 – Chairperson meeting with FUMC Foundation

• Reported results of joint meeting with Trustees and Finance
• Explored options for support from Foundation – grant (available upon formal request), loan (not currently possible without changes to policies)

April 7 – Sub-meeting with city officials

• Discussed re-plat and zoning of alley, city concerns and questions – including need to build if approval granted
• Received support from city staff and clarification on hearing process – Planning Board meeting on June 6 with second reading by mid-June (dates subject to change)
• Learned about possible water run-off grant and benefit district

April 12 – BC meeting with architect (John Howard from Howard + Helmer)

• Approved contract with architect – recommended that Trustees sign as written
• Heard report from architect about his interviews with mechanical, electrical, structural, soils, and civil engineers and contacts with local engineers per committee’s request
• Approved using Partnering Method (architect, contractor, church) for construction delivery method
• Revised and sent Request For Proposal (RFP) to general contractors – selection to be through interview process with consideration of local general contractor and sub-contractors encouraged
• Discussed possible alternatives for bid documents – canopy, vaulted ceiling, limited floors in Ed Center, etc.
• Noted that, without connecting link, cost of elevator in Ed Center probably increasing, time schedule more difficult to manage and keep, and costs more fluctuating due to lapse between start and completion of project
• Determined that need for completed drawings, accurate cost estimates and financial plan (necessary for final district and congregational approval) required moving forward with architectural schematic design, design development, and final construction documents – BC able to stop plans, change scope or reduce scope of project, and compensate architect for services rendered to date according to contract
• Decided to make report to Church Council and send letter to congregation