Emmett trustees approve 100% HVAC plans and budget for multi‑building retrofit

Emmett Independent District trustees voted to approve the HVAC 100% drawings and the accompanying budget after a detailed presentation from Wright Brothers Building Company, the contractor managing the district’s mechanical upgrades.

The decision authorizes the contractor to proceed with permitting, equipment installation and phased work across the district’s main building, gym/auditorium and a separate “Big Tech” building. Wright Brothers’ representative, Mister Kimball, told trustees the project will begin where electrical gear and Idaho Power service are available, and that components already on site will be activated once power is connected.

The approval follows a technical briefing that described three system types in the main building: a water‑boiler system (the “green” area), an older steam system (the “pink” area) and office/administrative zones (the “blue” area). Kimball said the water‑boiler areas can be isolated while work proceeds but the aging steam system requires shutdown and welding connections rather than screw caps, creating a narrower weather window for safe work. He said the team is targeting a March 1 start for the steam work and an overall goal of a fully active system by mid‑April, but warned the steam schedule is temperature‑dependent and could slip if unusually cold weather continues.

Why it matters: The approved plans are meant to replace or augment aging heating and ventilation equipment, add fresh‑air exchange where classrooms currently lack it, and deploy modular classroom units (referred to in the presentation as “Classmate” systems). Trustees flagged timeline uncertainty tied to the district’s older steam infrastructure and the need for Idaho Power to complete its on‑site electrical installs before some work can begin.

Most important facts first: Kimball said the contractor has ordered electrical gear that may arrive in November or December and that Idaho Power must finish its install before equipment can be energized. He noted the “Big Tech” building needs no new electrical work and will be prioritized once permits are in hand. The contractor also described platform supports for the Classmate units because original classroom floor joists are single joists and cannot bear concentrated loads from those units.

Budget and contingencies: The presentation included a current budget figure read aloud in the meeting (packet line read as “584‑4315”); Kimball did not translate that readout into a labeled dollar total on the record. He did specify that the project includes a 5% construction contingency and a 5% owner contingency that together equal $230,100; he said unused contingency funds would be credited back to the district. Kimball also told trustees the bid figure is lower than some earlier estimates but warned that unknowns — including blended asbestos and other conditions in a 70‑plus‑year‑old building — could require contingency draws.

Contractor screening, warranty and spare parts: Wright Brothers said it will require third‑party background checks for all on‑site workers; the checks do not use fingerprinting but include photo ID and an initial automated screen, with certain flags forwarded to district staff for final review. The contractor will issue a one‑year installation warranty, and manufacturer warranties on individual units vary; Kimball said the contractor expects to supply attic‑stock spare compressors and fans for maintenance use and will provide training and videos for district staff after final completion.

Trustee reaction and approval: Trustees voiced general support for the plan while asking for clearer details on steam‑system sizing and efficiency. “I do. It makes as much sense as I can,” Trustee Gray said when asked if he was comfortable with the plan. After discussion, Trustee Buck moved to approve the EMS HVAC 100% drawings and budget; Trustee Jones seconded. The board chair called for the vote and the motion passed.

What was not decided: Trustees did not commit to replacing the district’s entire steam boiler at this meeting; Kimball acknowledged the cafeteria’s existing mechanical unit remains serviceable and that the design team’s recommendation was to defer wholesale replacement of that unit until it reaches end‑of‑life. The presentation also left unresolved whether a smaller steam generator or a different solution could better suit the single foyer/hallway area that will remain on steam, an engineering question trustees asked staff to study.

Next steps: Wright Brothers will proceed with permitting and monthly schedule updates. Kimball said the contractor will provide monthly progress reports and will coordinate pay‑apps with district staff. The board also discussed the option for trustee or district staff to visit manufacturer facilities at no cost to the district; Wright Brothers offered to arrange factory training for staff and interested trustees.

Ending: With the vote, the district authorized the contractor to move forward under the 100% plans while retaining contingencies to address unknown asbestos, site conditions and weather‑dependent steam work. Trustees asked the district’s mechanical engineer to return with additional efficiency analysis on the steam‑service sizing before the project reaches irreversible decisions about the remaining steam plant.