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West Bend library shifts to side entrance as water damage triggers repairs, insurance claim
Summary
After water damage at the West Bend Community Memorial Library, director Steve said the building will undergo carpet replacement, electrical and elevator work and basement cleanup; programs have been canceled and staff are tracking expenses for an insurance claim with a reported $5,000 deductible.
The West Bend Community Memorial Library will operate through a side entrance and has canceled most programming while crews repair water damage and complete related building work, Library Director Steve told the board at its Aug. 19 meeting. The library expects new carpeting to arrive in roughly six weeks, Steve said. The repairs include removing and replacing damaged carpeting and slate in the entry area, electrical work tied to floor conduit and outlets, elevator work, replacement of heat and smoke sensors, and additional sanitizing and drywall repairs in the basement. Steve said MEI is expected to replace a sump (scavenger) pump and that the city’s title and building maintenance staff are managing installations. The library temporarily pulled carpeting and some tile to reach damaged areas and has moved stored shelving and materials out of the basement to allow contractors to work, Steve said. He added that sanitizing crews have sprayed accessible areas and will return for another coat this weekend; deeper cleaning under shelving and more extensive flooring work remain. Steve described the insurance process as “going pretty well,” and said he has been working with city contacts and adjusters. He said the city’s insurance relationship team has taken the lead and that the library is tracking staff time and other recoverable costs. “We’re tracking everything that we do,” Steve said. He told the board the library expects a deductible of about $5,000 and that insurance reimbursement typically pays to replace damaged materials at the value of the replacement product — not the original historic slate. Board members and staff discussed slate removal estimates. One board speaker said earlier estimates put slate removal at about $40,000; a CIP listing had shown $50,000 as a placeholder. Steve said slate replacement and similar large items are expected to be handled through insurance and city capital accounting once claims are settled. The library also noted separate but related work: the chiller replacement remains on the CIP and is likely to be scheduled for later in the year. Steve said that, because some electrical conduit was waterlogged, electricians will need to clear and test conduits before re-energizing circuits and reinstalling wiring. Staff warned that, while contractors work, staff will use smaller interior areas and programs will be rescheduled where possible. The board asked for ongoing updates about costs and schedule; Steve said he will provide updates as information from the insurer and city is received.
