Members Present: Dean Adams –Chair, Grant Peterson – Co-Chair, Evan Greenwood, Duane Morris, Kris
Johnson, Mike McNeil, Tom Rogers, Mike Everts
Proxies: Amber Long (For Steve Swinford), Jennifer Thomson (For Sreekala Bajwa), Durward Sobek (For Robert
Mokwa)
Members Absent: Alison Harmon, Kirk Lubick, Terry Leist, Margueriete Kibodeaux, Brett Gunnink
Staff & Guests: Jennisse Waters, Tim White, Craig Woolard, Richard Rudnicki, Grey Williams

ITEM No. 1 – APPROVAL OF NOTES

The meeting minutes from May 21st, 2024, were approved.

ITEM No. 2 – RECOMMENDATION –Cobleigh Hall - Civil Engineering Equipment Storage

Presenter: Grey Williams, Campus Planner

Project Summary/Context

The MSU Civil Engineering Department is seeking storage for instructional and research equipment. Additional storage is needed to keep lab spaces safe for students, faculty, and staff. Lab spaces are currently storing equipment, creating challenges for daily lab use. Storage needs exceed current capacity due to an increase in enrollment, participation in student projects, and heightened research activity in the department.

Project Scope

Civil Engineering intends to procure and install a storage container in the northeast corner of the fenced storage/service yard on the east side of Cobleigh Hall.

  • 8’ H x 8.5’ W x 20’ L metal storage container
  • Color = grey
  • Door of container facing south

Project Principles & Design

The proposed solution is has taken into consideration:

  • Safety improvements in lab facilities (remove excess equipment)
  • Site adjacency to lab areas where equipment is used
  • Maintain driveway access/operational flow patterns
  • Consistent with existing storage use of service/storage yard area
  • Consistent with industrial nature of service/storage yard area
  • Minimize visual impact with color to match fence
  • Reinforce visual/physical barrier between street and lab/yard area

Project Delivery

Civil Engineering wishes to procure the container immediately with goals for installation in the Summer of 2024.

Craig Wollard provided his perspective that increased student activity and clutter in the labs is a safety risk currently and with activity only increasing a solution such as the proposed one is vital.

Tim White agreed and added that student organizations are much more active and have increased student interest which is difficult to accommodate the different requirements of these groups in the lab spaces which are connected by the external yard area. Tim continued to explain the current conflicts and challenges of the lack of space including scheduling of the lab spaces, research activity being hindered, safety of users, and longevity or safety of specialized equipment that is used in the labs.

Grant Peterson stated that the proposed solution would be an immediate solution and civil engineering is continuing to work with PDC on finding a longer term or more permanent solution.

Mike Everts asked if the container was intended to be permanent. Grant Peterson stated that is not the intention but a permanent solution has not been decided on so there is not a timeline currently.

Mike Everts asked what the height of the fence is and what the height of the container is. Grey Williams answered that the fence is 6 feet high, and the container is 8 feet high. Tim White also clarified that the intent is to match the container with the color of the fence to have it blend in more.

Duane Morris stated that he is not supportive of this storage solution on campus in most cases but given that this unit would be hidden behind a fenced area and would be color matched with the fence.

The committee asked what was currently stored in the yard area. Craig Woolard provided some examples of what is generally stored in the area.

The committee asked for more clarity on what will be stored in the container. Tim White provided more information on what will be stored in the container when installed, and how the tard area will be cleaned up.

Kris Johnson asked about installation logistics. Tim White stated that installation will happen by crane and walked through the process.

Grant Peterson stated that storage containers are not a preferred solution, but this case has been different due to continued collaboration from Civil Engineering and the goal to minimize the aesthetic effects of the container.

Durward Sobek asked if internal storage solutions have been explored. Craig Woolard clarified that the intent is to store larger equipment in the container that cannot be stored on a shelf inside the lab space. Time White provided more context for the kinds of research that happens in the lab spaces and stated that more shelving will be installed in the container and in the lab itself.

Tom Rogers questioned how quickly a permanent solution can be installed, and he asked why not install two containers, as well as agreeing that these are not a preferred storage solution for aesthetic purposes from the City’s perspective. Grant Peterson clarified the hopeful timeline along with Craig Woolard stating that a more permanent solution would probably be 3-5 years in the future.

Tim White stated that another container could be a future item for the committee along with possibly a permanent solution involving the containers, but currently a single container is enough space for the department currently.

 

The Vote: Duane Morris motions to approve, Tom Rogers seconds. The motion carries unanimously.