Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1956 [PAGE 1032]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1956]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

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ized to execute the necessary documents, including the contracts to be awarded, under the conditions specified. This motion was adopted by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Bissell, Mrs. Holt, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Megran, Mr. Swain, Mrs. Watkins; no, none; absent, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Nickell, Mr. Stratton, Mr. Williamson.

CONTRACTS FOR ABBOTT POWER PLANT ADDITION (15) T h e Director of the Physical Plant and the Comptroller recommend award of the following contracts for the construction of an addition to the Abbott Power Plant, the award in each case being to the lowest bidder. Piping system—Gallaher and Speck, Inc., Chicago $295 088 Electrical equipment—The Northern States Company, Inc., Chicago 114 749 Coal handling and transporting unit—It is recommended that all bids taken on this phase of the work be rejected. While the bids are within engineering estimates, bids received on other phases of the project indicate that its total scope must be reduced to keep it within funds available. T h e coal handling and transporting unit equipment is essential to the efficient operation of the plant but can be deferred if necessary until the 1957-1959 biennium. They also recommend that Sargent and Lundy, Chicago, consulting engineers on this project, be authorized to negotiate with the contractors for the deletion or deferral of certain phases of the installations, totaling approximately $58,500 on the piping contract and $10,000 on the electrical equipment contract, with the right of reinstatement on or about July I, 1956, at the option of the University. The extent of the work to be deferred or deleted can not be determined until bids on all remaining phases of the construction have been received. As part of bidding requirements the proposals submitted include a breakdown of cost for major items of work so that it is feasible "to award the above contracts according to the base bids and accomplish the reductions through contract change orders. Funds are available in the state appropriations to the University for 19551957 for buildings and other permanent improvements, subject to release by the governor. I concur in the above recommendations and recommend further that the Comptroller and the Secretary of the Board be authorized to execute these contracts, subject to the release of funds.

On motion of Mr. Livingston, these contracts were awarded as recommended, by the following vote: Aye, Mr. Bissell, Mrs. Holt, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Megran, Mr. Swain, Mrs. Watkins; no, none; absent, Mr. Herrick, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Nickell, Mr. Stratton, Mr. Williamson.

CONTRACT FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE IN RESIDENCE HALLS (16) The studies of the expansion of the University's student housing program over the next six years have included a survey of the present telephone system in the residence halls. Continuation of the present system will require a substantial investment in equipment in each new hall to be constructed, so that a decision should be made now as to the type of telephone service that will best serve present and future needs of occupants of the residence halls. The present system consists of a manually operated switchboard in each hall with a limited number of extensions in the corridors on each floor. Each hall is also equipped with an annunciator system operated from the switchboard to each room. After considering several plans, the conclusion has been reached that a system providing a central switchboard for all residence halls with a telephone extension to each room will best serve the needs of the occupants and at only a slight increase in the annual operating cost over the present system. T h e capital cost will be materially less than if the present type of service is installed in each new hall. Accordingly, the Director of Housing, the Director of the Physical