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Memo <br /> <br />To: Mayor and Council <br /> Manager Lotter <br /> <br />From: Jason Hicks, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director <br />Subject: NBCC Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning Roof <br />Top Unit Replacement Project <br />Date: March 4, 2016 <br /> <br />Per the direction of Council at the February 2 Council Work Session, staff has <br />continued researching the Roof Top Unit (RTU) replacement project using Trane <br />as a vendor through the US Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. At <br />this work session discussion, Council expressed an interest in having staff <br />explore options to present to the Council regarding energy efficiencies. Staff also <br />looked into the recently adopted Green Steps program to learn what might be <br />offered via that program as well. <br /> <br />Staff researched a program, Guaranteed Energy Savings Program through the <br />Minnesota Department of Commerce, recommended by Green Steps. This <br />program is what is referred to as a performance contract. Performance contracts <br />are viewed as less desirable because this type of contract would require changes <br />to the operations of the facility that wouldn’t take into account the demand on the <br />system by its users. If you have ever been in a large government building that <br />doesn’t seem cool enough when it is hot outside or warm enough in the winter; <br />those buildings are often using a performance based system. Staff is <br />recommending not using this program. The efficiencies that can be gained by <br />following the Trane recommendations will allow the City to maximize the comfort <br />of the environment for the building’s users while reducing payback time and <br />maximizing control of the building. <br /> <br />Trane completed a study on the performance of the current HVAC system at <br />NBCC by utilizing data logging devices that were installed at various locations <br />inside the building. The data found shows the current RTU’s are not working at <br />optimal levels. This impacts the comfort level of NBCC visitors and doesn’t allow <br />the NBCC to operate at peak efficiency. It is also demanding on the RTU’s as <br />they are forced to work harder to overcompensate for the various swings in