Present: Bill Glasgow, Angie Brunson; Barbara Eck, Monte Edwards, Larry Gallo, Tom Kuchenberg, Richard Layman, Ellen Opper-Weiner, Donna Scheeder, Mary Wright (for Ken Jarboe))
Absent: Chuck Burger, Ken Jarboe

The meeting was convened at 7:04 p.m.

 1. Agenda

Motion: Mr. Edwards moved/Ms. Eck seconded a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.
Ms. Opper-Weiner asked that a Transportation Task Force issue be added to the agenda. It was, under the Executive Committee report (9). The motion, as amended, passed unanimously.

 2.  Minutes

Motion: Mr. Edwards moved/Ms. Eck seconded a motion to approve the February minutes as presented.  The motion passed unanimously.

 3. Office of Property Management

Curtis Clay, of OPM, reported that the South Hall roof will be completed by May 20th. He reported that there are safety issues with the installation of the slate, and that people using the dumpsters and with other business directly under the Market building will have to wear hard hats until the work is completed. 

The window replacement will be completed by June 2nd, except for the transoms, which are part of the main renovation, Mr. Gallo asked whether the scaffolding will be removed, and was told that the roof scaffolding would be, but that he didn’t know what the needs of the next contractor will be.

Ms. Scheeder asked whether information on Forney Enterprises was available for EMCAC to see, and was told that the contract had to go to the City Council for final approval.  She asked whether EMCAC had to go to the Council to see a copy of the contract, or whether a copy would be available from the Office of Contracts and Procurement.  She said that the letter of transmittal from OPM to OCP should say that EMCAC receives a copy of the contract.  Mr. Hussman said that the issue could be moot because this is the last contract that will be issued on the Market.  Ms. Opper-Weiner added that the law says that EMCAC has to advise and comment on proposals in response to RFPs.  She said that EMCAC should not be bypassed.

Mr. Edwards said that the slate should match on both roofs, and noted that Bill Glasgow had provided a piece of the original slate to be matched.  Mr. Clay said that Quinn Evans had specified the color, which was being matched, and enough tile was being purchased for both roofs. 

Mr. Edwards asked about the status of the window mock-ups in the North Hall, and was told that it looks like the Historic Preservation Office will establish the only criterion that will be used. Mr. Clay said that the design requirements said that the light was to be measured from a pitch-black room, and because fluorescent lighting was being used, they could not be dimmed.  Mr. Edwards responded that natural light from the window and skylights as well  as the artificial  light has to be measured, taking into account the way the food looks, as a critical part of the restoration.  Mr. Glasgow added that the situation in the East Hall should not be duplicated, or the former lighting in the South Hall,

Mr. Gallo asked whether HPO takes into account performance as well as appearance.  Matt Hussman, of OPM, responded that the law says that the Department of the Interior standards for historic preservation have to be followed.  He said that OPM understands what has to be taken into account, and is mindful of what’s been done in the past.  He said they are committed to seeing that the building in conducive to the sale of products.

Mr. Hussman introduced Pete Forney and Ben Anderson of Forney Construction, which has been chosen as the contractor for the renovation.  Ms. Scheeder said that EMCAC’s number one concern is coordination with the outside vendors, and the effort to keep everyone in business during the construction, and keeping ground space available around tithe market.
Mr. Gallo asked whether Forney Construction has a background with historic preservation construction.  Mr. Forney responded that he will work with EMCAC and the vendors to make sure that everything is cleaned up on Friday afternoons.  He said he will make sure the construction schedule is posted on-line.  He said the firm restored the Cleveland Market, which is like Eastern Market, and it is working very well.

Mr. Clay said they will work with DDOT once they have a contractor in place to do the streetscape.  Ms. Scheeder said she has spoken with Said Cherifi at DDOT, and they are moving forward.  Mr. Glasgow raised the issue of staging so that materials are not in the street for months.  He also asked that merchant parking not be taken for construction materials.  Mr. Forney assured the Commission that he will be meeting with the appropriate people in order to schedule the job properly.

Ms. Opper-Weiner asked about the status of Mr. Forney’s contract, and he said he has signed it, and it should be finalized by the beginning of April.  Ms. Scheeder said that this was going to be the final version of the Market, and it should be done right.  Since the merchants are back in business, Sspeed is not EMCAC’s highest value.  Mr. Forney replied that it does him no good to do it wrong.

Ms. Brunson reiterated that the fence should be kept as close to the building as possible.  Mr. Forney reiterated that he would put all construction information on the web.  Mr. Glasgow said that they; shouldn’t move in November or December because of the Christmas business.

Ms. Scheeder said that Forney Construction’s presence at the meeting speaks volumes about Forney Construction’s willingness to work with EMCAC.

Mr. Hussman reported that OPM is working with a range of solutions on East Hall temperature control.  They are aware that it’s an issue, and they will make certain that there’s money available for them to address the issue,

On the Market Manager RFP:  Mr. Hussman reported that because it requires both a contract and a lease, the RFP will be issued by OCP, which has made comments, and now it is being reviewed again by the OPM director and legal counsel, and it will need EMCAC review as well.  It will be issued in an OCP format.  He said they are working diligently because it is a front burner issue, and that EMCAC will have an opportunity to comment before it is released to the public.

He reported that the streetscape RFP will not be completed until May.  He said that they will take the best information and make a strong commitment that, knowing that disruption of sales is a given during construction, they will make every effort to minimize it,

He reported that the Enterprise Fund has been put into the budget authorization for EMCAC and it will be available to be spent after October in the new fiscal year.  He also reported that the East Hall art project will be officially unveiled on April 19th, at noon.  He also said he is working Sam Williams at DCRA for a Market Day permit.

Mr. Edwards said that it’s time to formalize a coordination working group, and that there should be a letter formalizing such a group.  Mr. Hussman agreed, but said that coordination can’t start until the contracts are let.  Mr. Edwards said that there needed to be a document formalizing the procedures for coordination.  Mr. Hussman said he would work with Mr, Clay to develop a way to communicatie.  Ms. Scheeder commented that it’s a two-way shared responsibility, but a framework is needed.

Mr. Gallo said that the management RFP has to be the best we can possibly get.  EMV’s lease is up on ApriJulyl 1st, and EMV’s lease says that if there is nothing in place by the deadline, then OPM can step in.  Mr. Hussman responded that he is aware that is an EMCAC recommendation, but he is still hopeful of completing work on the Market Manager position within the deadline, Ms. Scheeder commented that OPM is trying to avoid managing the Market.  Mr. Edwards said that it is very clear that OPM will step in, and that OPM is already doing the Market Manager’s job. Motion: Mr. Edwards moved/Mr. Kuchenberg seconded a motion that EMCAC recommend that if there is no Market Manager by the time EMV’s contract expires, that OPM temporarily fulfill the responsibilities of the Market Manager.  The motion passed 9-0-1, with Mr. Layman abstaining.

Ms. Scheeder asked whether OPM is looking at the public space surrounding the Market  and Mr. Hussman said that Market Square and the Natatorium Plaza will be taken into account.

Ms. Opper-Weiner asked what the role of the Market Manager would be in the construction.  Mr. Hussman responded that the construction is a DC project, and it is OPM’s job to deal with construction.

 4. Market Operations Subcommittee

There was no report from the Market Operations Subcommittee

 5. Capital Improvements Subcommittee

Streetscape

Mr. Edwards presented a report delineating the differences between the DDOT bid document on the 7th Street Rehabilitation and the earlier (April 2005) working document that was developed by EMCAC.  The bid document was not shared with EMCAC by DDOT, but was obtained from OPM and OCP.
March 26, 2008

The Office of Property Management (OPM) advised EMCAC that the bid documents for the Rehabilitation of  Seventh Street issued and would  be opened on February  22, 2008 (Solicitation No. POKA-2006-B-0013-LS).  EMCAC was unable to obtain sets of the bid documents from DDot, but one set was loaned to EMCAC by OPM and one set was obtained from the Office of Contracts and Procurement.  Those drawings and specification have been circulated among member of this Subcommittee for review.  The Subcommittee offers the following comments:

 1. The bid documents closely follow the April 15, 2005 Working Document that  (a) requires coordination of excavations and utility upgrades with the OPM main Market renovation project, (b) provides for a DDot  designated Project Manager, (c) requires the  establishment of a Construction Working Group, (d) requires coordination and communication of construction activities and  scheduling (Specifications, Attachment J14) as well as the use of molded as opposed to wire-cut  brick, preservation of bluestone curbs, street lighting to include outlets  and  brackets for holiday lighting, and other features ( Specifications, pages 17, et. seq.). Updating of that 2005 Working Document is required to reflect:
(a) The current vending that takes place on the closed part of 7th Street. This will need to be taken into account in the phasing of the project, possibly by (i)  keeping one side of the block open and available for vending when the Market side is torn up, (ii) moving the construction trailer to provide vending space on C Street, (iii) or other practicable outside vending accommodations.
(b) To  take into account the now evolving plans for the redevelopment of the Hine site.  The Subcommittee recommends that no work be done on the north side of Pennsylvania Avenue or on the east side of 7th Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue and C Street, as a part of this project because of the near-term redevelopment of the Hine site.  The cost savings associated with that avoided work should be applied to accomplish the items noted in this Report.
2.  Some of the features that we thought we had agreement with DDot do not appear to be included in the design:

a.  Pedestrian lighting along North Carolina Avenue.  Special Event lighting for the North Plaza is included is included in the QEA design.  The QEA design package should be coordinated with the streetscape plan: (a) for appearance (it looks like a special pendant light pole, arm and fixture are being called for in the 7th St plans), and (b) to assure that adequate pedestrian lighting is provided when the Special Event lighting is not in use.

b. Multiple bicycle racks.  There is a single “bicycle rack” rack specified for the 7th Street side of the East Hall (Sheet No. 10), but the “Summary of Quantities” table specifies a “bicycle locker” (Sheet No. 2). The Subcommittee is hopeful, that the characterization of bicycle racks as bicycle lockers is an error. Bicycle lockers are those large, ungainly boxes that are at the metro stop. Accommodations for bicycles must fit with the historic character of the Market, not detract from it, and occupy as little space as possible so as not to occupy too much valuable, rentable real estate. Box-like ungainly contraptions are inappropriate for the Market. Hopefully, what they mean are bicycle racks, the curved metal things that you lock bikes to, not something you put a bike in. The Subcommittee supports the installation of nicely conforming racks.
The Specification C.1.3.6 states: “Installation of bicycle racks at locations within the boundaries of the Eastern Market Streetscape.  The locations will be determined by EMCAC and DDot during construction.” EMCAC and the Market Row Merchants should participate in the decision about what products to be installed to determine if they are appropriate and what would be the best location.

c. Bluestone Curbs. Specificaion C.1.3.1 states: “Historic Bluestone curbs shall be maintained in  front of Eastern Market (on the  northern side of C Street, from  the alley  to  the 7th Street, along the  western side of 7th Street from C Street to North Carolina Avenue, and on the southern side of  North Carolina  Avenue, from 7th  Street to the  alley).  But, Sheet No 4 of the drawings specifies Granite Curbs for these areas.

3. Period light fixture at the corner of 7th and C.  There is only one light fixture that is to look like a “gas lamp.” It is shown on sheet 41. The location of that fixture is not clearly indicated on the drawings, but the “Streetlight Pole Information” table on sheet 38 indicates it is to be installed on the Eastern Market corner of 7th and C Streets.

4. Special manhole covers, using the border from Amy Weinstein’s Ljubjlana photo, and the Eastern Market logo that were creatively combined by Edge Advertising:

 

 

While not included in the plans or specifications, one line of the body of the solicitation states:  “DDOT shall coordinate with WASA and PEPCO to install designer manhole covers - chosen by EMCAC - within the contract limits.”  On March 13, Scott Cary (Contracting Specialist, Office of Contracts and Procurement) advised that Mr. Cherifi, the DDot Project Manager, confirmed that an agreement for the customized manhole covers was struck with EMCAC and the Market Row Merchants, and that the engineer’s office will issue a change order for the new manhole covers, once the contract is awarded. 

Going Forward

On March 25, Mr. Cherifi assured our Chair, Donna Scheeder, that a number of the items (like the street lamps and the bike racks and the manhole covers) can be added as Change Orders. DDOT was in a hurry to publish the RFP so they would be ready to start when OPM begins the major renovation work, so that our desire to have things coordinated can be accomplished. Thus some of the features discussed above did not make it to the bid package, but may be added.

Ms. Scheeder said that in her conversation with Mr. Cherifi, he said that they were in a hurry to issue the RFP, and that many of the items can be modified by change orders.

Motion:  Mr. Layman moved/Ms. Eck seconded a motion to send a letter to City Council President Gray, with copies to Councilmember Wells and Brown, requesting public hearings on these issues.

Mr. Layman asked about the material to be used for the street, and Mr, Edwards suggested that that be included in the letter of transmittal with the report.  Ms. Scheeder said that the street can’t support Belgian block and suggested that “contrasting pavement” be suggested.  The motion passed unanimously

North Hall Roof

Mr. Edwards presented a report containing comments on the drawings for the replacement of the North Hall roof.

March 24, 2008

On March 14, 2008, the Office of Property Management (OPM) provided two sets of drawings titled “Eastern Market – South Hall Roof Repair & Alteration” which in fact are for the replacement of the North Hall roof. The drawings consist of 6 pages, dated June18, 2007 and September 19, 2007.  No specifications were provided.
This Subcommittee has reviewed those drawing and offers the following comments and questions:
 
1. Roof Ventilators. They appear to replicate the appearance of the present ventilators.
They are specified as gravity vents, apparently with no dampers that can be closed to prevent heat loss in the winter and no electric fans that can increase air flow in the summer.  This proposed design differs from that of the design for the South Hall.
The subcommittee recommends they be designed with electric fans and dampers so they can be integrated in the operation of the HVAC system as are the roof ventilators for the  South  Hall.

2.  No Specifications were provided for review. The drawings appear to be simply reworked South Hall roof drawings from September of 2007.  For example, Note 07-01 on Sheet A508 states:  “Provide Slate Roofing.  Match Size and Color of Existing Slate on North Hall Roof.” In the first place, the slate should match the new slate on the South Hall roof.  Further, a sample for that slate (more greenish than the gray slate on the North Hall roof) was provided to QEA by Bill Glasgow in the form of an actual slate that was saved when the 1976 replacement roof was installed on the South Hall.
The Subcommittee recommends the specifications for the North Hall roof should match those specifications for the South Hall roof.  In other words, the South Hall roof specifications will control in areas where the drawings might differ or are ambiguous.

3.  There was no structural steel work called and no brick work repair called for in the plans. Is the structure for the North Hall sound?

4. More detail may be in order for the way the snow guards are installed in relation to the slate shingles (the attachments should be below the shingles).

5.  There is no detailing for the existing flat seam copper roof for the Center Hall (typical seam, transition details, etc.)  This is needed for this area to tie in to the new North Hall slate roof. 
The Subcommittee recommends that a tie-in or transition detail from the new North Hall Roof to the “existing” flat seam copper Center Hall Roof be prepared (at least as part of the shop drawing process).

6. At the February 27, 2008 EMCAC meeting OPM explained they were considering award of the North Hall Roof Contract to the contractor who is now replacing the South Hall roof.  EMCAC pointed out that the current bid package for the main renovation of the  Market includes gutters, flashing, etc. for the North Hall roof, and asked how the main contract was to be adjusted, was going to be adjusted since the bids are already in. OPM has provided verbal assurances that there will be appropriate adjustments to avoid duplication. 
The Subcommittee request further clarification about how that will be accomplished.
Motion: Mr. Layman moved/Mr. Kuchenberg seconded a motion to accept Mr. Edwards’ report,

In answer to a question, Mr. Clay said that the North Hall would be getting new cornices and cutters, and that the North Hall structure is sound and will support the replacement roof, but not strong enough to include insulation in the new roof.

The motion passed unanimously.

 6. Market Manager

Charles Nelson reported that the trash seems to be under control in answer to a question from a merchant, Mr. Hussman replied that there is a problem with the door jambs in the East hall, and he is awaiting a proposal from Turner Construction,

Mr Glasgow raised the issue of pest control, citing the thousands of flies that infested the East Hall. 

Ms. Opper-Weiner asked about the beggars outside the Market on 8th Street.  Mr. Nelson said that EMV is aware of the problem, and security is supposed to be handling it.

Mr. Bowers asked about the fire sprinklers, and Mr. Hussman replied that they went off briefly during the fan installation, but they are working.

 7. Tenants’ Council

Mr. Bowers reported that there are a number of events coming up: the dedication of the art works on April 19th; the EMCAC meeting on April 23rd’ and the Cultural Tourism Washington tours on April 27th; and Market Day on May 4th,

He said he has sent an e-mail to the merchants about the deliveries on 8th Street.  He also reported there has been no progress on representative selection process.

 8.  Executive Committee

Ms. Scheeder reported that Market Lunch wants to add fresh French fries to its menu.

She also reported that the Cultural Tourism tours will run both in the morning and one in the afternoon.

She announced that the Rumsey Aquatic Center is open again, and next month’s EMCAC meeting will be held there.

Mr. Edwards raised the issue of moving the trash bins and dumpsters to the Natatorium side of the alley while the Natatorium renovations were in process, Mr Hussman said that there are environmental problems with that and he is talking with the green building person at OPM looking for ideas,

Ms. Opper-Weiner urged, as Chair of the Transportation Task Force, that members of the Task Force be included in the stakeholders’ meeting being organized by Councilmember Wells to discuss his pilot parking program and its impact on Market parking.  She expressed her concern that community people are not being included.

Ms. Scheeder responded that it is up to the Councilmember to invite those he feels should be there.  Ms. Opper-Weiner expressed her concern that as a public body, it should be representative.  Ms. Scheeder said that the Councilmember’s representative was present and would transmit the information to Tommy; Beyond that, the Transportation Task Force reports to EMCAC, which is representative of all of the Eastern Market community, and is the ultimate authority.  Mr. Kuchenberg added that, as the pubic member on EMCAC, it is his job to represent the community,

 9. Treasurer’s Report

Mr. Gallo issued the Treasurer’s Report and reported that the balance in the EMCAC account is $2,483, and that there is approximately $78,000 in the Enterprise Fund.  H also reported that Tom Kuchenberg and Larry Gallo have paid EMCAC dues.

The next meetings of EMCAC will be on Wednesdays, June 25th, July 23rd, August 27th, and September 24th. The meeting was adjourned at 858 p.m.