Valdese Town Council - Special Called Meeting (October 30, 2025)

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[0:00] what's going on and where we're at. So, we can all catch up. I know that we've
[0:04] had multiple communications via text, email, and phone calls. And just this
[0:10] right here is a uh a solidified of everything of that. So,
[0:16] uh I'd like take uh I'd like to provide a pull cover project update to this
[0:21] elected board, citizens, and other in interested in this project. First, let
[0:27] me say that this project is more complex than it may seem on the surface. We've
[0:32] been continuously receiving information from multiple stakeholders, but I
[0:36] believe we have developed a solid summary of what has occurred and how we
[0:39] need to move forward in this project. The original plan called for a new dome
[0:44] to utilize a gray beam of the same size as the previous structure, which houses
[0:49] [clears throat] the anchoring system. This was was included in the original
[0:54] designing cost. However, during excavation of the for the new gray beam,
[0:59] the contractor discovered several issues with the existing what I would call the
[1:04] gray beam's footer, for a lack of a better term. The footer did not match
[1:09] the 2000 site plan that was used to develop this plan. It w it mo most
[1:15] likely reflected a much older pool design that was transferred onto the
[1:20] 2000 site plan. So whenever it was first designed whether it was the 60s7s or 80s
[1:26] and then it just got transferred year after year no one dug up the concrete.
[1:30] So we didn't know the second uh the areas where the footer existed the
[1:35] underlying concrete was in very poor condition and was unable to support the
[1:40] required load of the new dome. Third, in some sections, the footer was
[1:46] missing entirely, leaving nothing stable to anchor the new gray beam to. After
[1:51] uncovering these conditions, we had to investigate further before Yeden could
[1:56] construct the dome. The most important thing is to ensure the safety of the
[2:00] people using the pool facility. Yeeden contracted their structural engineering
[2:04] firm, ISG, to review the situation. Following their evaluation, ISG
[2:09] determined that approximately 500 linear foot of gray beam footing would need to
[2:14] be replaced with a new uh footing system that measured 24 in wide, 48 in deep in
[2:21] compliance with the updated 2018 building code requirements. Um, as part
[2:27] of this deeper assessment, geotechnical experts was also brought in to determine
[2:33] whether there was an underlying reason why the concrete footers had
[2:38] deteriorated as much as they have. The geo technical team has recently provided
[2:44] recommendation that slightly differs of that of the structural engineers
[2:48] approach. Both are now working together to develop a unified solution that
[2:53] satisfies both the structural integrity as well as geotechnical requirements for
[2:58] this for this project. We expect the final recommendation to be within the
[3:02] next two to three business days. Uh in the meantime, we have received
[3:07] preliminary estimates for the 24x 48 footer system replacement which came in
[3:12] at 173458. I would ask for an additional funds for
[3:16] contingency with a total budget amendment of 225,000 which I believe all
[3:21] of y'all have not received a copy of this morning. Whatever funds aren't used
[3:26] will roll back into the uh fund balance, but this is needed to keep us on track
[3:30] with the six to eight weeks additional time frame that uh yeen and moss Marlo
[3:36] has provided to us this morning. In my opinion, this project has had its fair
[3:40] share of bad luck from the beginning. We've encountered several unexpected
[3:44] challenges from electrical issues to concrete soil complications. That says
[3:49] we are dealing with an extremely old facility that naturally leads to
[3:53] unforeseen challenges. Also, due to the age of facility,
[3:57] there's no reliable original site plan. As a result, we don't always know what
[4:02] is or isn't underground and where it's located. We are gradually building a
[4:06] better site plan as remodels, upgrades, and maintenance work is completed, but
[4:11] unlike but it's unlikely we will ever be 100% accurate under the ground. staff
[4:16] and contractors have been working as fast as possible to keep this project
[4:20] moving and meet the tight November deadline despite these setbacks.
[4:25] Ultimately, I believe it's better to take the proper
[4:28] corrective steps now, even if it does mean a short delay, than ask for more
[4:33] significant and costly issues later. I think the main thing for the electric
[4:38] board citizens and swimmers to know is the dome will be installed. It may just
[4:42] take a little bit longer than expected. I also think it's important for everyone
[4:45] to know because I know I wasn't here but I know there was a debate whether dome
[4:50] versus permanent structure. It doesn't matter which path this council would
[4:54] have taken. We would have run into the same bad concrete bad soil issue. Um so
[5:01] there was it doesn't matter which way we go we have to address address the soil
[5:06] and concrete before we [clears throat] can go up. Uh I think it's uh I would
[5:11] like to ask council for the authority to continue moving forward by approving the
[5:15] budget amendment. I also will keep the mayor and council updated until the pool
[5:20] coverage project is completed. And I also have a copy of the Mars Marlo
[5:25] estimate I'm gonna give and you pass it around.
[5:34] » Okay. Council questions. >> Um so you were saying that we're looking
[5:39] at a six to eight week delay. >> Yes, ma'am. So, uh it's 6 weeks for the
[5:45] new footing system, 500 foot of that. >> And then afterwards, uh yeeden it'll
[5:50] take pro approximately two weeks to install the dome. Um it's my
[5:55] understanding that once the footer system is in place, they will take I get
[6:00] I'm assuming laser measurements to be exact and then they will build the dome,
[6:05] which it takes seven days to build the dome. Uh they've already we've already
[6:09] paid 50% of it. They've already got the material. They're just waiting for those
[6:13] measurements to put it together and then it'll take another week to to construct
[6:17] it. >> Okay. So the six to eight weeks will be
[6:20] from like November 1st. So >> from today
[6:23] » from today. Okay. So we're saying >> we approve this a budget amendment.
[6:26] We're going to give them a sign a change order and move forward. But
[6:29] » okay. So we'd say mid December is that sort of approximately
[6:33] » barring any other unforeseen uh unforeseen incidents. Now I will say
[6:38] I mean this ain't the most elegant way to say it. This is the way I grew up.
[6:42] This project's been somewhat snake bitten from day one. I mean, the first
[6:46] thing we did, we ran into electrical issues.
[6:48] » And then now we run into concrete and soil complications.
[6:52] » Um, that's this thing that was underground
[6:56] that we didn't know about. >> So,
[6:58] » and again, that were that was things that we would have come across no matter
[7:02] what we did. Yeah. Either structure just to verify. Yes.
[7:06] » It's an old facility. I mean, you're going to run into issues.
[7:10] » Mr. Mayor, I move that we authorize the additional funds of $225,000
[7:19] uh so that we can move this thing along as
[7:22] quickly as possible. >> Okay, council, you hear the motion. Do I
[7:26] have a second? >> Second.
[7:28] » Okay, motion and second. Any further discussion? just uh uh just just comment
[7:34] or two and there's there's a a lot of unanswered questions but uh
[7:39] [clears throat] one of them is uh well doesn't matter.
[7:43] Let's just move on with it so you know I don't have anything else to say about
[7:48] it. >> Um I'd just like to say um as a former
[7:52] high school principal I have been to many meets in that bubble. I understand
[7:57] the importance to our high school swimmers and we have got to get that
[8:01] bubble ready for a high school swimmer. Also, I was a member of Linda Kids
[8:06] Aquaize class in the morning. Those ladies need that bubble. There's a a
[8:12] good group of ladies that come every morning and are a part of Miss Kid's
[8:15] class. I've also been a member of Tony Reese's class, Aquaciz class. So, I have
[8:22] been very involved in that poll and I'm very vested that we get this fixed as
[8:27] soon as possible. >> I also want to say one thing. We're
[8:32] going to continue to look for alternatives, but we're going to keep
[8:37] the project moving forward and we're going to do it as as cheap and as
[8:41] effectively as we can, but we're not going to cut corners to maintain safety.
[8:45] So, I know that number y'all just got it. You ain't had a whole lot of time to
[8:50] research it. We haven't either. We're going to spend the day doing that and
[8:53] then we're going to if this budget amendments approved, we're going to move
[8:56] forward with it. >> Yeah, that's good. Thank you.
[8:59] » Anyone else? >> Now, Moss Marlo will be doing this work.
[9:02] Is that correct? >> Yes, sir.
[9:04] » Okay. >> Okay. I'd like to commend staff and our
[9:08] engineers and our contractors on the job they've done in identifying the problems
[9:15] and also identifying the solutions. And I know uh staff has worked overtime on
[9:20] this and I certainly appreciate your work, Mr. Terms.
[9:24] » Thank you. >> And rec staff and both. Thank you. Okay.
[9:28] Anyone else? >> And I just want to um say that I
[9:31] appreciate the updates that we have gotten and I know you'll keep us updated
[9:34] on this. I know the six to eight weeks is fluid, I guess, for lack of a better
[9:39] description. And I'm sure you're going to try to attain that all the uh parties
[9:44] involved. And I think everybody of course overall wants it to be safe and
[9:49] ready for use when it is open. So I think that's
[9:52] » we have uh all part all the stakeholders know this is a important project that
[9:58] has to be completed. >> Anyone else? Okay council I have a
[10:03] motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying yes and raising your
[10:07] right hand. >> Yes.
[10:09] » Seeing none opposed motion carries. I will now entertain a motion to adjurnn.
[10:14] So move >> second.
[10:17] » Have a motion and a second. Those in favor signify by saying yes and raising
[10:20] your right hand. >> Yes.
[10:21] » Motion carries. >> Thank you, St. Be safe.