ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY BOARD

State Fire Marshal’s Office

2307 MacArthur Road, New Castle

Telephone: (302) 323-5365

Thursday, October 13, 2011

1:30 P.M.

MINUTES

I.  CALL TO ORDER

The October 13, 2011 meeting of the State of Delaware’s Architectural Accessibility Board was called to order by the acting chairman, Chad Toms. In addition to Mr. Toms, the record will show that the following board members participated in the meeting, either by telephone (T) or by their actual presence (P): Nash Childs (T); Neil Himelein (P); Armando Liberti (T); Chang Yoon (P).

Also in attendance: Dan Muterspaw, Administrator

II.  APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

A motion to approve the minutes of the Board’s previous meeting, held on September 8, 2011, was made and seconded. By a unanimous vote, the minutes were approved as recorded.

III.  DISCUSSION OF AGENDA

The Chief Administrator added three (3) cases to the agenda, as follows:

  1. 11070 Sheriff’s House Exterior Restoration
  2. 11071 Thomas Collins Building 3rd Floor Conference Room
  3. 11072 Colonial S.D. Data Center Generator Replacement

IV.  CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR’S UPDATE

The Chief Administrator reported to the Board on his activities for the month. Theactivities were routine in nature and consisted of normal field inspections, complaint issues, and accessibility inquires.

V.  SUBMISSIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

At their September 29, 2011, meeting, the Submissions Review Committee review six (6) cases. These cases were forwarded to the full board for their review. The Board’s comments and actions on these cases, and for the additional three (3) cases submitted by the Chief Administrator, are attached as a part of these minutes.

VI.  OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business to discuss.

VII.  NEW BUSINESS

  1. It was announced that Ada Stokes had officially resigned from the Board. Continuing medical difficulties, affecting both Ms. Stokes and her husband, had made it impractical to continue with effective participation on the Board. This resignation had previously been considered, but was delayed to allow more time in which to see if things couldn’t be worked out. Sadly, things did not work out for the better and Ms. Stokes resignation was accepted by the Governor. A copy of the Governor’s letter to Ms. Stokes will be kept on file, as will a copy of the Board’s forthcoming letter to her. Ms. Stokes’ contributions to the Board during her many years of service have been greatly appreciated and she will be sorely missed.
  1. It was announced that the Governor would not be reappointing Mr. Wayne Carter to the Board, due to his current attendance. He would still be able to serve on the AAB however. Efforts are being made to resolve this issue with Mr. Carter, but have yet to be finalized. It is not clear at this time whether or not Mr. Carter wishes to continue to serve on the Board. Attendance records for all members will be discussed at the Board’s November meeting.

VIII.  SCHEDULE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the AAB will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011, at 1:30 PM, at the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

IX.  ADJOURNMENT

With nothing further to review or discuss, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan A. Muterspaw

Chief Administrator, AAB

DAM/mas

SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11064-RE
OWNER / Department of Elections
PROJECT / Training Facility
Alterations/Fit Out
DESIGNED BY / Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc.
CONTACT PERSON / Daniel Ridgely
PREVIOUS ACTION / Not Approved – September ‘11
COMMENTS / The initial design for these alterations was not approved due to design errors on the plans and drawings. The insufficient information and detail relating to the exterior ramp and in the toilet room was added to the drawings and this design now appears to be correct
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11065
OWNER / DNREC/Parks & Recreation
PROJECT / Thompson Island Reserve
Trail Improvement
DESIGNED BY / In-House Designer
CONTACT PERSON / Philip Gallo
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / This island preserve is in the Dewey Beach area and a trail (to this location) and observation platform will be constructed. The current route to the preserve is not accessible and will be replaced by a raised boardwalk path/approach. The design is accessible.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11066
OWNER / DNREC/Parks & Recreation
PROJECT / DE Seashore State Park
Bathhouse Repairs
DESIGNED BY / In-House Designer
CONTACT PERSON / Greg Kindig
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The majority of this project pertains to structural repairs to the roof system. However, additional work is being proposed to several of the sets of steps leading to the bathhouse deck and some rail replacement work on the deck, itself. The Board had a problem with this design since there was insufficient detail describing the step replacements. Also, the handrail design submitted on the drawings was not compliant with accessibility requirements, both under the building code and the ADA. This detail is necessary to ensure that the new repairs will not be identical to the elements being replaced, since they are currently not acceptable. Equally disturbing was the fact that this bathhouse has numerous accessibility deficiencies, not only with the interior toilet room elements and spaces, but also with the exterior parking and the public picnic areas. Although not required to be a part of this project, the Board directed that notification be given to Parks and Recreation of these non-compliant elements, since the State of Delaware is currently in violation of the ADA.
BOARD ACTION / Not Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11067
OWNER / DNREC/Parks & Recreation
PROJECT / Cape Henlopen State Park
Cabin Construction
DESIGNED BY / In-House Design
CONTACT PERSON / Greg Kindig
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / Out of the four cabins to be constructed, at least one of them has to be accessible. For one of the cabins to be accessible, more maneuvering space is required on the pull side of the entrance door. Also, the stone walkway to the entrance step, and the stone parking area are not approved surfaces. In addition, since this building is considered a ‘primary function area’, the toilet rooms serving the cabin must also be accessible. The nearest bathhouse/toilet room is not currently in compliance with accessibility requirements. Up-grades to these toilet room facilities must be included within the scope of work for this project. Again, the Board noted that these facilities should have been brought into compliance years ago. It is not understood how this situation can continue to go uncorrected for so long and the Board’s letter to Parks and Recreation should emphasize this point.
BOARD ACTION / Not Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11068
OWNER / DE State Housing Authority
PROJECT / Heron Run Apartments
Renovations/Alterations
DESIGNED BY / Keith Fisher Architecture, LLC
CONTACT PERSON / Keith Fisher
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / Forty (40) dwelling units will be renovated in this existing complex. Twenty percent, or 8 units, will be upgraded to be accessible. The plans and drawings contained errors, and/or insufficient information or detail on numerous spaces and/or elements. Some of the Board’s observations pertained to, but are not limited to, the following:
1.  Detail for the new curb ramps does not match the actual curb ramps being designed.
2.  There was no information/detail on the proposed revitalization to the existing playground.
3.  Existing curb ramps are non-compliant and must be replaced.
BOARD ACTION / Disapproved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11069
OWNER / Department of Agriculture
PROJECT / Agriculture Administration Building
East Wing HVAC Upgrade
DESIGNED BY / Delaware Engineering & Design Corporation
CONTACT PERSON / John Farina
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The proposed HVAC upgrades do not affect the accessibility of the existing elements and/or spaces in this facility.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11070
OWNER / Department of State
PROJECT / Sheriff’s House
Exterior Restoration
DESIGNED BY / Bernardon Haber Holloway
CONTACT PERSON / Kevin J. Rychlicki
Larry E. Schrock
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / This property, in Old Town New Castle, is currently vacant. The proposed exterior restoration work (masonry repair, brick pointing, lintel and soffit repair) and some minor interior work (parging basement walls) does not affect any accessible elements or spaces. Once an occupant is found for this building, further restoration work, including required accessibility upgrades, will be initiated.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11071
OWNER / OMB/Facilities Management
PROJECT / Thomas Collins Building 3rd Flr. Conf. Rm.
New Construction
DESIGNED BY / Stephen King
CONTACT PERSON / Stephen King
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / Current open space in this building will be renovated to provide an enclosed conference room. The construction will be accessible. Along the ‘Path of Travel’, the urinal in the men’s room will be lowered to 17” and the hallway water fountain area will be provided with water fountains having the appropriate/required spout heights.
BOARD ACTION / Approved
SUBMISSION NUMBER / 11072
OWNER / Colonial School District
PROJECT / District Data Center Facility
Generator Replacement
DESIGNED BY / Furlow Associates
CONTACT PERSON / Douglas M. Green
PREVIOUS ACTION / None
COMMENTS / The generator replacement work will not affect the usability or accessibility of any elements or spaces in this building.
BOARD ACTION / Approved