BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Public Library/Collier Center is experiencing a significant drop in temperature following the installation of a new air-conditioning system last week, library officials announced.
During a special board meeting May 29, member Barry Webb provided an update from a representative of Elliott Contracting, the Pikeville-based company responsible for the installation.
“He told me, ‘If all goes well, this place will be cool on Thursday evening,’” Webb said.
The $223,500 project replaces a 2002 Trane 120-ton air-cooled screw chiller with two 60-ton LG air-cooled screw chiller units.
The upgrade became critical with the arrival of summer weather. Temperatures inside the 46,000-square-foot facility have reached uncomfortable levels, compelling staff to prop open the door of the Martin County Water District billing office and retreat to their air-conditioned cars during lunch breaks.
“It hasn’t been terrible on the first floor,” Collier Center director Kendra Fletcher said.
Regarding the fitness center on the third floor, she added, “I don’t know how they can stand to work out.”
On Monday, Fletcher reported the new cooling system was doing its job.
Bid selection
The decision to go with Elliott Contracting came after the board reviewed three proposals April 17. Despite the higher cost, Elliott’s offer was favored primarily due to its shorter lead time.
Fire & Ice submitted two proposals. Bid No. 1 was a $155,200 bid incorporating a Johnson Controls Quantech 120-ton air-cooled scrolled chiller and replacing the bad compressor in the old Trane unit ($16,000) to keep the building cool during a 20-30 week lead time. The company suggested that replacing the compressor would increase the value of the Trane for a potential sale to recoup some of the $16,000, as new chillers come with their own compressors.
Webb, mentioning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons-type refrigerants, stated the Quantech unit uses R-454B refrigerant, an emerging refrigerant that the EPA has deemed “acceptable.”
Chairman Maurice Mills said the board could reduce the bid for the Quantech chiller to $139,200 by subtracting the Trane compressor.
“If you wanted to limp it through,” said Mills.
Board member John Triplett reminded Mills that not fixing the compressor would mean going through the summer with no air conditioning.
Fire & Ice’s Bid No. 2 was $142,000 for a SYC-brand heat pump and chiller combo and to replace the old Trane compressor with a lead time of 30-90 days. The dual functionality of heating during winter months was particularly appealing to Mills and Webb but was ruled out due to its use of the phased-out refrigerant R-407C.
With bids narrowed down to two, library director Angela Begley pointed out the stark cost difference even with the $16,000 for the Trane compressor.
“That’s like a hundred thousand dollars higher,” Begley said.
Triplett weighed in on Fire & Ice’s Bid No. 1, noting the 20-30 week lead time. He also commented on the company’s suggestion that the library board could sell the old Trane chiller.
“You fellas can do what you want, but I don’t want to get in the business of peddling old equipment,” said Triplett.
“The only bid you’ve got that would have an immediate effect is from Elliott.”
Board member Sheila Maynard remarked, “You get what you pay for. I don’t see that we have any choice but Elliott. I know they’re more expensive, but that’s how I feel.”
Triplett, whose grandson runs Elliott Contracting, recused himself from the vote supporting Elliott Contracting’s proposal.
The type of refrigerant used in the new LG units has not been unequivocally confirmed. Some board members believe it is the newer type, while information on LG’s website indicates the brand’s air-cooled screw chiller comes from the factory pre-charged with R-134A refrigerant, which the EPA is phasing out.
Lease rates
Following months of discussion, the board voted to adjust rental rates for its tenants. Fletcher stated her wish to balance rates so that the total rental revenue is equivalent to $1 per square foot.
“I’ve heard the business center charges $2.50 per square foot,” said Fletcher, noting the overall revenue would be “about the same.”
Triplett asked how the $1 per square foot average would affect the overall rental revenue.
Adult Education, which currently leases 1,103 square feet at a rate of 5 cents per square foot, will see an increase to 50 cents per square foot now, then $1 in 2025.
“I would like to raise them to 50 cents this year so as not to raise them by such a great amount at once,” said Fletcher.
No Limits Fitness will see a decrease for its 1,581.59 square feet from $2.04 to $1.50.
Martin County Water District has 666 square feet at a rate of $1.27 per square foot and will see no immediate change.
HomePlace Clinic has a 120-square-foot space at 10 cents per square foot. No adjustment was stated.
Martin County Conservation has a 121.8-square-foot area and pays no rent.
After “in-kind contributions” from the Collier Center, no money changes hands for Big Sandy Area Community Action Program’s 853.26 square feet.
The board recently made a deal with Eric Mills for the 10,900-square-foot former library building plus parking lots for 14 cents per square foot of interior building space for two years. After two years, the square-foot rate will increase to 18 cents.