PURDUE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
PHYSICAL FACILITIES COMMITTEE
JULY 7, 2021 | MINUTES
 

A special meeting of the Physical Facilities Committee of the Board of Trustees convened at 10:07 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Stewart Center, Room 326, on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

All committee members were present in person or by means of electronic communication pursuant to the Electronic Meeting Policy: Gary Lehman, chair; Sonny Beck; Theresa Carter (virtually); Mark Gee (virtually); and Michael Klipsch. Other trustees present by means of electronic communication were: Michael Berghoff; JoAnn Brouillette; Vanessa Castagna (virtually); Malcolm DeKryger; and Don Thompson (virtually).

Officers and administrators in attendance were: Mitch Daniels, president; Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity; Jim Almond, senior vice president, assistant treasurer, and assistant secretary; Steve Schultz, general counsel; and Janice Indrutz, corporate secretary and senior executive assistant to the Board.

I. ROLL CALL

Chairman Berghoff noted that all trustees were present for the meeting in person or virtually. Trustee Lehman, committee chair, welcomed Mark Gee, new student trustee, to the committee.

II. APPROVAL TO PLAN, FINANCE, CONSTRUCT AND AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR WADE UTILITY PLANT CHILLER 7 REPLACEMENT AND SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

Mr. Michael Cline, senior vice president for administrative operations, requested approval to plan, finance, construct and award construction contracts for the Wade Utility Plant Chiller 7 Replacement and System Improvements project. He informed the Committee that steam chiller 7 went into service in 1988 and was now at the end of its service life; replacing it with a new electric chiller, to be referred to as chiller 14, would allow the university to more reliably meet chilled water demand. He estimated the total cost of the project at $12,000,000, with construction from August 2022 through March 2023. Responding to questions from the committee, Mr. Cline noted that the new chiller would be more efficient and increase chilled water capacity by 11%. Upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval of the project. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

III. APPROVAL TO PURCHASE LAND FROM PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Mr. Cline requested approval to purchase land on Pierce Street and Steely Street in West Lafayette from Purdue Research Foundation. He noted the size and addresses of the properties and informed the Committee that the combined purchase price of $19,600,000 was equal to the appraised value, and the purchase would allow the university to eliminate $409,000 in annual lease payments for the properties. Mr. Cline further explained that purchasing the land would allow the university to own properties in strategic locations for future growth opportunities. Trustee Lehman expressed his understanding that there were no immediate plans for the property but purchasing it was part of the 2018 Campus Master Plan. After brief discussion, and upon proper motion duly made and seconded, the Physical Facilities Committee voted unanimously to recommend full Board approval to purchase the land. Supporting materials were filed with the minutes.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

By consent, the meeting adjourned at 10:13 a.m.

  • 7-7-21 | Physical Facilities Committee