North Hills officials urge quick action to replace rooftop HVAC units as grant timing remains uncertain
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
District consultants recommended completing remaining rooftop HVAC replacements and a pool dehumidifier this summer, reporting six bids and an estimated project cost of about $2.8 million (budgeted not to exceed $3.1 million). Consultants urged prompt board direction because equipment lead times are 15–18 weeks.
The North Hills School District was advised Jan. 8 to move quickly on a summer installation of remaining rooftop HVAC units and a pool dehumidifier after consultants reported favorable bids but long equipment lead times.
Mike Arnold, who presented the capital-planning update, said the district completed 10 rooftop unit replacements last summer and is recommending replacement of the remaining 12 packaged rooftop units plus a pool dehumidification unit. “We got six bids on this work,” Arnold said, and the project is currently coming in “at about $2,800,000” versus a December not-to-exceed estimate of $3,100,000. He said the team was doing some descoping to capture additional savings.
Arnold told the board manufacturers’ lead times are between 15 and 18 weeks and recommended the district indicate intent as soon as possible so it can "go at risk" to secure manufacturing slots and begin mobilization after school ends. “If we have an indication that the board is moving forward, we will go at risk and at least get us in the queue,” Arnold said.
The capital presentation also covered grant strategy and PlanCon reimbursements. Arnold said state facility grant applications are due March 31 and awards could arrive in summer or fall, meaning districts cannot rely on those funds for work this coming year. He noted the district previously secured one award of $1,500,000 and that PlanCon-related reimbursements could yield roughly $25,000–$50,000 for McIntyre and an estimated $400,000–$500,000 for High Cliff, depending on final filings.
The superintendent and staff said a grant resolution will be required to pursue state funding, and that any award would normally require a local match (Arnold said the grants typically require a 25% local kick-in). Board members asked when action would be required; Arnold repeated that early commitment was advisable because of lead times.
No formal capital approval vote occurred at the Jan. 8 committee meeting; the presentation closed with a request for the board to consider moving forward quickly if it wants summer work to be guaranteed.