1 00:00:11,614 --> 00:00:15,214 Chair Swearengen Washington: Psalms 37 verse four. 2 00:00:15,352 --> 00:00:18,590 It says delight yourself in the Lord 3 00:00:18,590 --> 00:00:24,590 and he will give you the desires of your heart. 4 00:00:24,499 --> 00:00:28,990 We are delighting ourselves in him. 5 00:00:28,512 --> 00:00:32,499 August 4th meeting of the Libraries and Neighborhood 6 00:00:32,499 --> 00:00:36,795 Improvement Committee of Memphis City Council is hereby called 7 00:00:36,795 --> 00:00:38,795 to order. 8 00:00:39,227 --> 00:00:41,627 Call the roll, deja. 9 00:00:45,959 --> 00:00:47,959 [Roll Call] 10 00:00:53,778 --> 00:00:55,278 Councilmember Cooper-Sutton: We have 11 00:00:55,278 --> 00:00:57,739 an update on facility conditions and maintenance 12 00:00:57,739 --> 00:01:02,499 at the Benjamin Hooks library, district five, super district 13 00:01:02,499 --> 00:01:06,699 eight, requested by chairwoman Jana Swearengen Washington. 14 00:01:21,944 --> 00:01:23,569 >> We want an update on the facilities. 15 00:01:23,569 --> 00:01:26,611 They needed to address power washing, cleaning 16 00:01:26,611 --> 00:01:28,900 of the windows, and carpet. 17 00:01:28,900 --> 00:01:30,630 We want to make sure it is inviting. 18 00:01:30,630 --> 00:01:35,659 It is in East Memphis in a stellar location. 19 00:01:35,659 --> 00:01:39,859 We want to be welcoming to our constituents and community 20 00:01:39,859 --> 00:01:43,229 members and make sure it is representative. 21 00:01:43,229 --> 00:01:45,325 That is our main library. 22 00:01:45,325 --> 00:01:48,515 It sets the tone for the other libraries. 23 00:01:48,515 --> 00:01:52,739 We wanted to see what the progress was. 24 00:01:52,739 --> 00:01:57,539 >> Melvyn Jameson, director of Services 125 North Main Street. 25 00:01:59,179 --> 00:02:01,179 >> Eric Ayers, libraries. 26 00:02:05,944 --> 00:02:08,344 >> Gerald Spencer, deputy director. 27 00:02:21,560 --> 00:02:24,399 Melvin Jameson: Quick update on building and mechanical systems. 28 00:02:24,399 --> 00:02:27,999 At the central library, 3030, I want 29 00:02:29,990 --> 00:02:31,139 to talk about three major building 30 00:02:31,139 --> 00:02:34,739 systems, including the sewer, boiling system, 31 00:02:36,779 --> 00:02:38,779 and cooling towers. 32 00:02:39,239 --> 00:02:44,639 We put a new cooling towers at these locations. 33 00:02:45,179 --> 00:02:48,790 They are in great shape. 34 00:02:48,790 --> 00:02:49,898 We've been doing preventative maintenance. 35 00:02:49,898 --> 00:02:54,980 They have over 12 years of life remaining. 36 00:02:54,443 --> 00:02:58,502 With good maintenance, it should last longer than that. 37 00:02:58,502 --> 00:03:01,259 The other two I want to talk about 38 00:03:01,259 --> 00:03:04,259 is the water cooler chillers. 39 00:03:06,259 --> 00:03:08,883 They are more than 20 years old. 40 00:03:08,883 --> 00:03:12,203 One chiller is operating in fair condition 41 00:03:12,203 --> 00:03:15,179 and the other one is being repaired. 42 00:03:15,179 --> 00:03:19,379 These chillers have between 2 and 5 years remaining. 43 00:03:19,563 --> 00:03:25,563 We have to start planning to get those chillers replaced. 44 00:03:25,619 --> 00:03:28,190 There are four boilers. 45 00:03:30,483 --> 00:03:35,883 Those are 25 years old they are in fair condition 46 00:03:36,109 --> 00:03:37,652 and operating fine. 47 00:03:37,652 --> 00:03:41,852 We have to start the operating budget 48 00:03:42,819 --> 00:03:48,219 to change those out in the next 2 to 5 years. 49 00:03:49,190 --> 00:03:52,447 I was at the site yesterday. 50 00:03:52,447 --> 00:03:55,419 I go to the site frequently. 51 00:03:55,419 --> 00:03:57,572 I was thinking about what you said. 52 00:03:57,572 --> 00:04:01,827 We need to really make this a building that 53 00:04:01,827 --> 00:04:06,627 is inviting and esthetically pleasing for the citizens. 54 00:04:07,739 --> 00:04:15,539 Before I got out I pulled this out to look at the grounds. 55 00:04:17,990 --> 00:04:20,365 I pulled up and I saw grass that was too tall. 56 00:04:20,365 --> 00:04:23,759 I saw debris laying there that should have been picked up 57 00:04:23,759 --> 00:04:25,345 a while back. 58 00:04:25,345 --> 00:04:31,109 It wasn't kept the way I wanted to see it. 59 00:04:31,109 --> 00:04:37,709 I got on the phone and took pictures and sent text 60 00:04:37,921 --> 00:04:39,921 to my folks. 61 00:04:40,424 --> 00:04:47,470 We agreed that we will do better and we will make this work. 62 00:04:47,470 --> 00:04:50,859 My teams are here right now providing these grounds 63 00:04:50,859 --> 00:04:53,483 maintenance things that need to happen. 64 00:04:53,483 --> 00:04:57,379 We are getting things back manageable the way 65 00:04:57,379 --> 00:04:59,379 they should be. 66 00:05:00,239 --> 00:05:05,390 Eric had a vendor come out this weekend 67 00:05:05,590 --> 00:05:08,819 and provide pressure washing around the front areas 68 00:05:08,819 --> 00:05:10,232 of the library. 69 00:05:10,232 --> 00:05:14,432 While they did do the pressure washing, 70 00:05:14,749 --> 00:05:17,749 they didn't get enough done. 71 00:05:18,435 --> 00:05:22,739 We are going to do something deeper and coordinate 72 00:05:22,739 --> 00:05:26,339 with the vendor to provide sandblasting 73 00:05:30,459 --> 00:05:37,590 to remove the underlying dirt that is in the paved areas. 74 00:05:40,579 --> 00:05:44,111 We have a licensed window cleaner. 75 00:05:44,111 --> 00:05:51,311 We will engage them to provide cleaning to all of the glass. 76 00:05:53,996 --> 00:05:58,281 We are getting cobwebs, dirt and debris removed 77 00:05:58,281 --> 00:06:00,909 to make it look like it should. 78 00:06:00,909 --> 00:06:03,691 The escalator project is scheduled for completion 79 00:06:03,691 --> 00:06:06,379 on August the 30th, this month. 80 00:06:06,379 --> 00:06:07,945 We will bring that in. 81 00:06:07,945 --> 00:06:11,545 There are a couple items remaining . 82 00:06:13,963 --> 00:06:16,963 The elevator will begin immediately 83 00:06:17,245 --> 00:06:19,803 after the escalator is complete. 84 00:06:19,803 --> 00:06:22,699 That is an additional 12 weeks. 85 00:06:22,699 --> 00:06:26,899 That will be completed on November 30th, 2026. 86 00:06:26,983 --> 00:06:32,983 Is there anything else you would like to add, Eric? 87 00:06:48,211 --> 00:06:50,419 Dr. Eric D. Harris: We are meeting with ServiceMaster 88 00:06:50,419 --> 00:06:52,259 this afternoon. 89 00:06:52,259 --> 00:06:56,500 Carpets are contracted every six months to be cleaned 90 00:06:56,500 --> 00:06:58,339 but there is such heavy use in the meeting room, 91 00:06:58,339 --> 00:07:01,359 that we need more frequent cleaning. 92 00:07:01,359 --> 00:07:04,523 The carpets are scheduled to be replaced 93 00:07:04,523 --> 00:07:10,163 this year with our CIP funding that started at Central. 94 00:07:10,163 --> 00:07:14,131 During the fiscal year 27, we will replace the carpet. 95 00:07:14,131 --> 00:07:16,205 Until then we are meeting with them 96 00:07:16,205 --> 00:07:19,110 about getting some cleaning done. 97 00:07:19,110 --> 00:07:24,299 It is not where it should be by any means. 98 00:07:24,299 --> 00:07:29,355 >> Whose responsibility is it to spot check these places so it 99 00:07:29,355 --> 00:07:31,619 doesn't get in this condition anymore? 100 00:07:31,619 --> 00:07:37,619 Dr. Eric D. Harris: It is all of our responsibility. 101 00:07:40,819 --> 00:07:46,219 We have so many different people in the library 102 00:07:48,852 --> 00:07:51,190 Councilmember Carlisle: Do you have a manager there? 103 00:07:51,190 --> 00:07:55,990 Dr. Eric D. Harris: Yes, Ma'am, we have several managers. 104 00:07:55,990 --> 00:07:58,419 We have maintenance and building departments. 105 00:07:58,419 --> 00:08:01,862 We've made a commitment to redo how we do things. 106 00:08:01,862 --> 00:08:05,619 Before I go on too far, I want to say 107 00:08:05,619 --> 00:08:09,612 that I appreciate you turning the heat up on this 108 00:08:09,612 --> 00:08:11,931 and opening our eyes. 109 00:08:11,931 --> 00:08:14,931 From a library's perspective, there 110 00:08:14,939 --> 00:08:19,599 were things we were doing that I wasn't seen. 111 00:08:19,599 --> 00:08:23,199 Now we are looking at it. 112 00:08:27,619 --> 00:08:32,965 There's a comment sheet for our service master and janitorial 113 00:08:32,965 --> 00:08:33,465 crew. 114 00:08:33,465 --> 00:08:36,939 If anyone on staff sees things that need corrected, 115 00:08:36,939 --> 00:08:41,367 they enter it onto a notebook and the supervisor 116 00:08:41,367 --> 00:08:44,707 is notified of it at least that day and a correction 117 00:08:44,707 --> 00:08:46,369 is made the same day. 118 00:08:46,369 --> 00:08:50,599 We've implemented this and it's already made huge gains. 119 00:08:50,599 --> 00:08:54,179 We implemented that after the last time I spoke. 120 00:08:54,179 --> 00:08:55,987 We are taking full responsibility for it 121 00:08:55,987 --> 00:08:57,939 and we need to do better. 122 00:08:57,939 --> 00:09:01,144 We are doing better because we were told we need 123 00:09:01,144 --> 00:09:02,859 to look at things differently. 124 00:09:02,859 --> 00:09:06,472 Councilmember Carlisle: I appreciate you all addressing it 125 00:09:06,472 --> 00:09:10,305 and we want to be consistent, not just this one time. 126 00:09:10,305 --> 00:09:14,549 We want to spot check and make sure our facilities are 127 00:09:14,549 --> 00:09:18,149 welcoming, inviting, and representative of Memphis. 128 00:09:18,329 --> 00:09:24,329 I had a meeting over there and I was embarrassed. 129 00:09:24,499 --> 00:09:27,990 We don't want to be embarrassed. 130 00:09:27,990 --> 00:09:29,990 This is distracting. 131 00:09:30,159 --> 00:09:32,947 We couldn't even enjoy the meeting. 132 00:09:32,947 --> 00:09:36,747 We were looking at the dirty carpet. 133 00:09:36,747 --> 00:09:39,975 I like things clean and in order. 134 00:09:39,975 --> 00:09:43,635 If we can continue to be consistent and make sure 135 00:09:43,635 --> 00:09:46,639 we are doing what we need to do and have 136 00:09:46,639 --> 00:09:49,639 teamwork between general services, service 137 00:09:50,499 --> 00:09:52,499 masters, and everyone. 138 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:57,430 We appreciate your response and are looking forward 139 00:09:57,430 --> 00:09:59,430 to the consistency. 140 00:10:11,787 --> 00:10:13,495 Dr. Eric D. Harris: One complicated piece 141 00:10:13,495 --> 00:10:15,359 is the sidewalk restoration. 142 00:10:15,359 --> 00:10:19,912 They did a good job pressure washing the best they could 143 00:10:19,912 --> 00:10:23,365 but they discovered something we didn't know of. 144 00:10:23,365 --> 00:10:30,565 I explained this to my wife this weekend at the nail shop. 145 00:10:33,259 --> 00:10:38,155 When the building was built in 2001, they put in the sidewalks 146 00:10:38,155 --> 00:10:40,555 and they looked new. 147 00:10:40,659 --> 00:10:45,363 They came back three years later and added an artsy material 148 00:10:45,363 --> 00:10:50,359 that was black and metal flake glitter to the sidewalk 149 00:10:50,359 --> 00:10:52,783 to make the sidewalk look shiny. 150 00:10:52,783 --> 00:10:54,619 It looked really nice. 151 00:10:54,619 --> 00:10:57,450 If you ever go to a nail shop and get something 152 00:10:57,450 --> 00:10:59,839 done to your nails, they strip it down 153 00:10:59,839 --> 00:11:02,219 and will put a color on it. 154 00:11:02,219 --> 00:11:05,339 Then they put a sealant on top of it to keep it from chipping 155 00:11:05,339 --> 00:11:10,139 and to keep the pain from going away. 156 00:11:10,599 --> 00:11:12,987 I'm saying all this on record. 157 00:11:12,987 --> 00:11:18,992 That wasn't done when they added the extra layer to the sidewalk. 158 00:11:18,992 --> 00:11:22,211 You are looking at 25 years of dirt and grime 159 00:11:22,211 --> 00:11:25,925 getting onto the sidewalk and going deep into the cement. 160 00:11:25,925 --> 00:11:29,430 We did the first pressure washing 161 00:11:29,430 --> 00:11:31,300 and it looks better but is nowhere 162 00:11:31,300 --> 00:11:33,487 near where we expect it to be. 163 00:11:33,487 --> 00:11:37,635 We are looking to do things deeper. 164 00:11:37,635 --> 00:11:41,856 We need a deep treatment to get everything out and get 165 00:11:41,856 --> 00:11:45,569 it resealed so we can make it look like what we 166 00:11:45,569 --> 00:11:46,819 want the library to look like. 167 00:11:46,819 --> 00:11:48,525 I want the community to understand that the sidewalks 168 00:11:48,525 --> 00:11:49,541 are more complicated. 169 00:11:49,541 --> 00:11:51,635 We will work on it consistently until it 170 00:11:51,635 --> 00:11:52,939 is acceptable to everyone. 171 00:11:52,939 --> 00:11:54,939 Thank you. 172 00:12:01,424 --> 00:12:03,824 Councilmember Cooper-Sutton: Councilwoman Logan. 173 00:12:05,819 --> 00:12:07,619 Councilmember Logan: I would appreciate 174 00:12:07,619 --> 00:12:12,427 if you can send the maintenance plan for all the libraries. 175 00:12:12,427 --> 00:12:15,819 A couple years ago and last year, 176 00:12:15,819 --> 00:12:19,379 we were here talking about that. 177 00:12:19,379 --> 00:12:22,645 I mentioned the type of garbage can liners. 178 00:12:22,645 --> 00:12:26,400 We had an event and they were trying to take out the garbage, 179 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:30,659 and the liners were so thin that all the garbage spilled 180 00:12:30,659 --> 00:12:31,975 on the floor. 181 00:12:31,975 --> 00:12:34,669 The managers and myself were trying to pick up 182 00:12:34,669 --> 00:12:36,683 the trash from the event. 183 00:12:36,683 --> 00:12:40,539 I mentioned this at a meeting earlier this year or last year 184 00:12:40,539 --> 00:12:45,339 Premaku determines the quality of the product ? -- 185 00:12:48,979 --> 00:12:52,154 Who determines the quality of the product? 186 00:12:52,154 --> 00:12:57,152 There was a mention about restaining and pressure washing. 187 00:12:57,152 --> 00:13:02,850 When something is made of wood they look old and rotten 188 00:13:02,850 --> 00:13:04,850 and not kept. 189 00:13:05,579 --> 00:13:08,115 This isn't just a main library. 190 00:13:08,115 --> 00:13:12,750 I understand the need and that is why I mentioned 191 00:13:12,750 --> 00:13:14,144 it is the central Library. 192 00:13:14,144 --> 00:13:17,744 That is where most people go. 193 00:13:18,179 --> 00:13:22,499 I like to see that level of maintenance and manicure 194 00:13:22,499 --> 00:13:24,899 for all of them. 195 00:13:25,379 --> 00:13:29,579 Moving forward, which we talked about before, 196 00:13:29,819 --> 00:13:33,110 this should be put in the budget for maintenance. 197 00:13:33,110 --> 00:13:36,565 If you cannot get something new this year or next year 198 00:13:36,565 --> 00:13:40,419 at the library or at our public amenity places, 199 00:13:40,419 --> 00:13:44,619 this needs to be implemented for -- 200 00:13:50,159 --> 00:13:54,671 implemented first and then we can do maintenance. 201 00:13:54,671 --> 00:13:56,539 There are older buildings. 202 00:13:56,539 --> 00:13:59,923 We just have to have that or they will deteriorate fast. 203 00:13:59,923 --> 00:14:04,590 I know you know this, but we don't always 204 00:14:04,590 --> 00:14:06,422 factor this into the budget season 205 00:14:06,422 --> 00:14:08,565 and we are back at square one. 206 00:14:08,565 --> 00:14:12,639 If we could put together a maintenance plan, 207 00:14:12,639 --> 00:14:14,389 what does it look like? 208 00:14:14,389 --> 00:14:17,811 What does it cost, what would be included, how often, 209 00:14:17,811 --> 00:14:19,879 and what is the yield? 210 00:14:19,879 --> 00:14:22,339 How would that improve the life and quality 211 00:14:22,339 --> 00:14:24,365 of our public amenities? 212 00:14:24,365 --> 00:14:27,165 That is what people see when they walk up. 213 00:14:27,165 --> 00:14:29,990 That is what they experience, regardless 214 00:14:29,990 --> 00:14:33,299 of what we have in our minds. 215 00:14:46,969 --> 00:14:50,422 Melvin Jameson: Yes Ma'am, I have a draft in 216 00:14:50,422 --> 00:14:54,923 and we will get back to the landscaper and architect. 217 00:14:54,923 --> 00:14:59,932 I look forward to bringing that to you soon. 218 00:14:59,932 --> 00:15:07,411 We will have the -- maintenance plan and also one that will bid 219 00:15:07,411 --> 00:15:10,411 to cover all exterior services. 220 00:15:16,560 --> 00:15:18,185 Councilmember Logan: Do you have a list 221 00:15:18,185 --> 00:15:21,459 of when you will rebuild libraries in certain buildings? 222 00:15:21,459 --> 00:15:28,885 For those who are older and may not be able to be redone, 223 00:15:28,885 --> 00:15:35,485 like the library in Cordova and Ferguson, there is black stuff. 224 00:15:36,819 --> 00:15:43,979 Two pressure wash this you don't need to be on the list. 225 00:15:43,979 --> 00:15:48,779 That is not what we are looking for.