Committee advances several facility capital projects: SUNY Ulster HVAC, emergency generators, probation HVAC, Person House preservation and pool rehabilitation

The Ulster County Public Works and Capital Projects Committee on Feb. 10 advanced multiple facility capital projects and related contracts affecting county buildings and SUNY Ulster.

SUNY Ulster HVAC Michael Schreiber, vice president of administration and finance at SUNY Ulster, presented Resolution No. 35 to establish a capital project to replace the HVAC system serving Vanderlyn Hall, which houses the college’s art gallery and theater. Schreiber said the amendment establishes funds for planned replacement work. The committee approved the resolution unanimously.

Emergency preparedness and backup generators Resolution No. 37 would add funds to an existing capital project for emergency preparedness, primarily to install a backup generator to service the Public Safety and IT building after a recent power loss damaged IT equipment, according to committee remarks. The amendment also funds an updated design study and a pilot for key‑card access, call boxes and AEDs across campus. Committee members asked for the usual supporting estimates before floor action but approved establishment of the project to allow subsequent contracting and design work.

Probation building HVAC replacement and electrification The committee approved Resolution No. 50 to reengineer rooftop HVAC at the Probation Department building (733 Broadway) and transition the building heating/cooling to an all‑electric system. An executive deputy (recorded as Laval) said the work was intended to address maintenance failures and improve building temperature control while lowering the building’s carbon footprint.

Person House historic preservation Resolution No. 49 establishes Capital Project No. 724 to receive $558,232 from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for preservation of the Person House. Committee remarks recorded that the county must provide a 25% match; committee comments included an inconsistent reference to a ‘‘total project is $70,000’’ in the spoken record that should be verified in the grant documents before final accounting.

Pool rehabilitation (CHA Consulting) Resolution No. 51 approves a $434,290 contract with CHA Consulting, Inc. to design accessibility and functionality improvements for the county pool; committee members said the design work is 100% funded by a SWIMS grant. Committee members clarified the work focuses on handicapped accessibility and functional upgrades rather than structural repairs.

Committee action and next steps Each of these resolutions passed in committee and will move to the full legislature for final action. Members requested standard supporting documentation (estimates, invoices) before final contracting where appropriate and asked staff to coordinate with finance clerks to avoid timing delays.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and limited to named participants.