MONROE - Decades-old City Hall HVAC equipment may finally get an automation and mechanical upgrade if Monroe Common Council approves the project in September as proposed by automation and energy company Schneider Electric.
Board of Public Works members met in the currently closed City Hall on Monday to discuss the $1.4 million project. After a tour of the affected facilities, aldermen Rob Schilt, Jeff Newcomer and Charles Koch agreed to consider the work during a Monroe Common Council proceeding.
"I think with a project this size, and with this dollar amount, it should be forwarded to full council," Newcomer said as he moved to recommend the project to fellow council members.
Schneider Electric was hired to evaluate the building, as well as the Monroe Police Department, the downtown fire station, Behring Senior Center and the Wastewater Treatment Facility, for possible energy efficiency upgrades as a part of the Capital and Energy Improvement and Reinvestment Program.
City Hall was built in 1965. Ty Miller, senior project director with Schneider Electric, pointed to the "antiquated" compression system meant to be adjusted by hand cranks in the basement as an example of its age.
"There's been a lot of work done to this building, but now to the air system," Miller said. "These should go away; they're using air to control something that should be run by electricity."
Automation throughout each building would be part of the update. A thermostat could control all temperatures and alleviate common problems among the office spaces. Technology can also regulate carbon dioxide levels, requiring less outside air to be pumped into the building.
City Administrator Phil Rath said much of the building is constantly in a "battle between keeping the humidity out and keeping it cool, which is usually lost." A noticeable fan system in council chambers runs too high, but Rath said if brought down to a lower level, the fan stops working. Humidity in the engineering space requires the system to run at such a low temperature that administrative workers keep space heaters in their offices, Rath added.
A large system nearly 50 years in age meant to run on hot water is inoperable and does not work properly in the cold months. The fire department training room and after-school recreation area also has an "antiquated" system, Miller said, adding that the heater and conditioner are "fighting." Controls also can't be regulated, so the systems are running at all times.
Miller said synced automation is a benefit of completing all work at once, which he estimated would last nine months. He added that construction would happen while workers occupied the space. Life expectancy for the mechanics and systems is roughly 20 years, though software would likely need an update in a decade.
Rath advocated for a backup pump to be installed at Behring Senior Center and for LED lighting to be installed throughout the downtown Square as cost-savings measures. If the plan is approved, the city is projected to receive a 15.5-year payback in energy savings.
Board of Public Works members met in the currently closed City Hall on Monday to discuss the $1.4 million project. After a tour of the affected facilities, aldermen Rob Schilt, Jeff Newcomer and Charles Koch agreed to consider the work during a Monroe Common Council proceeding.
"I think with a project this size, and with this dollar amount, it should be forwarded to full council," Newcomer said as he moved to recommend the project to fellow council members.
Schneider Electric was hired to evaluate the building, as well as the Monroe Police Department, the downtown fire station, Behring Senior Center and the Wastewater Treatment Facility, for possible energy efficiency upgrades as a part of the Capital and Energy Improvement and Reinvestment Program.
City Hall was built in 1965. Ty Miller, senior project director with Schneider Electric, pointed to the "antiquated" compression system meant to be adjusted by hand cranks in the basement as an example of its age.
"There's been a lot of work done to this building, but now to the air system," Miller said. "These should go away; they're using air to control something that should be run by electricity."
Automation throughout each building would be part of the update. A thermostat could control all temperatures and alleviate common problems among the office spaces. Technology can also regulate carbon dioxide levels, requiring less outside air to be pumped into the building.
City Administrator Phil Rath said much of the building is constantly in a "battle between keeping the humidity out and keeping it cool, which is usually lost." A noticeable fan system in council chambers runs too high, but Rath said if brought down to a lower level, the fan stops working. Humidity in the engineering space requires the system to run at such a low temperature that administrative workers keep space heaters in their offices, Rath added.
A large system nearly 50 years in age meant to run on hot water is inoperable and does not work properly in the cold months. The fire department training room and after-school recreation area also has an "antiquated" system, Miller said, adding that the heater and conditioner are "fighting." Controls also can't be regulated, so the systems are running at all times.
Miller said synced automation is a benefit of completing all work at once, which he estimated would last nine months. He added that construction would happen while workers occupied the space. Life expectancy for the mechanics and systems is roughly 20 years, though software would likely need an update in a decade.
Rath advocated for a backup pump to be installed at Behring Senior Center and for LED lighting to be installed throughout the downtown Square as cost-savings measures. If the plan is approved, the city is projected to receive a 15.5-year payback in energy savings.