TRUSTEE “TIDBITS”

October 2023 project updates:

  1. The County is continuing to pursue zoning changes for the property on Buckwalter.  They are working with a consultant to expedite the process. All sides are excited to see this happen.  We are still looking at a First quarter 2024 settlement date.
  2. The air conditioning system for the left side of the Sanctuary is scheduled to be installed during the week of 10/23.   The contractor will be setting up a crane in the parking lot and a lift in the sanctuary for this work.  The sanctuary will not be available during that week but will be ready for Sunday. We will work with the staff on details as final preparations continue.
  3. The trustees completed work on an Investment Fund Policy for the funds we expect to receive from the sale of the Bluffton property.  It will be presented to the Church Council on 10/16.
  4. Johnson Controls is scheduled to complete the installation of the new fire department standpipe connections for the Epworth Building and Celebration Center on 10/19.
  5. MAJ has been contracted to repair the pothole in the parking lot.  They will also be doing a total review of the paved areas so we can plan for future repairs and replacement.

August 2023 project updates:

  • A drop ceiling has been installed in the celebration center foyer. A couple punch list items remain to be completed.
  • The replacement water heater for the celebration center has been installed.
  • The County is continuing to pursue zoning changes for the property on Buckwalter. They are working with a consultant to expedite the process. Our lawyer has sent a purchase agreement to the county for the Buckwalter property.  We are still looking at a First quarter 2024 settlement date.
  •  A small group met with several sign companies to discuss on a new sign for the front of the church along Pope Avenue and building signs for the campus. Work is continuing while we pursue funding for this project.
  • The air conditioning system for the left side of the Sanctuary will be replaced and is on order. Installation is expected in late September. We continue to cool the sanctuary with the one and a half systems working currently.

May 2023 project updates:

  • Beaufort County and the Town of Bluffton have agreed to have the zoning on the Buckwalter property changed to allow Workforce Housing. Unfortunately, this is a long bureaucratic process.  We are trying to obtain information on the milestones of progress so we can be an active participant in this activity.
  • The mobility platform lift is complete and operational.  It cannot be used until it is inspected by the state.  Once the inspection is completed, church personnel including the head ushers will be trained.
  • All the fire suppression electronic monitoring systems have been replaced and are operational.   Some of the piping in the celebration center foyer will be replaced and it will all be inspected prior to the ceiling being replaced.
  • The mini-split air conditioning system for the Wesley room installation is complete.
  • Gutter work on the Epworth building and Celebration Center is complete.  A new drain has been installed in the main parking lot to eliminate the large puddle that appears when it rains. This completes the current drainage work at the church.  
  • Four large pine trees will be removed following approval of the town. Three of the trees are between the Sanctuary and Admin building. The fourth tree is in front of the church and has a large, decayed section at the base.
  • Closing on the parsonage was on May 15. After some minor repairs it will be ready for Pastor Jonathan and family to arrive in mid-June.

April 2023 project updates:

  • The Trustees are continuing to work with the county to finalize the sale of the Bluffton Parkway property.  The property sale was unanimously approved by the county.  The county is working with the town pf Bluffton on the zoning. Once that is resolved we expect to get a formal offer.  
  • Final work on the platform lift should be completed during the week of April 17.  Once it is completed, we need to have the installation inspected prior to use.
  • Much work has been happening on the sprinkler and fire alarm system for the campus.  We still have a few more steps to complete. When it is complete, we will have replaced many, if not all, the components of the system.  The components that are being replaced are original to the system that was installed when the building was built in 2003.
  • The mini-split air conditioning system for the Wesley Room is expected to be completed during the week of April 17. There was a delay from the manufacturer.
  • Gutter work on the Epworth building and Celebration Center is expected to be completed the week of April 17.  A new drain will be installed before the end of the month in the main parking lot to eliminate the large puddle that appears when it rains. 
  • A large pine tree between the sanctuary and the admin building has been removed. This tree caused the water line for the two buildings to fail and needed to be removed prior to fixing the water line. We hope to have the water line fixed by April 19.

March 2023 project updates:

  • The trustees are continuing to work with the county to finalize the sale of the Buckwalter Parkway property in Bluffton.  Final reading of the proposal is scheduled for the March 27 council meeting, and we expect to have a written offer at that time.
  • The platform lift has been received and work is continuing  on the enclosure and the lift. Completion is scheduled prior to Easter.
  • The Chapel was repainted the week of 1-16-23 and the popcorn ceiling was removed.
  • Much work has been happening on the Sprinkler and Fire Alarm system for the campus.  We still have a few more steps to complete. When it is complete, we will have replaced many, if not all, of the components of the system.  The components that are being replaced are original to system that was installed when the building was built in 2003.
  • The facility use agreement was updated and approved by the Trustees.
  • A meeting is planned in late March between the Starbucks management team and some church leaders to review the final plans and startup concerns regarding access to the business and church.



November 2022 project updates:

  • Two new air handlers for the sandbox building have been installed.  The current air handlers for those systems were not working.
  • The Air Conditioning system for the Chapel was reinstalled and modifications were completed to the current system to restore the air conditioning to the original specifications.  In 2013 the decision was made to remove this system. After some research and discussion with Howell Chase, it was decided by the trustees to restore the system to provide better heating and cooling of the chapel which should help the humidity problem we were having in this area.
  • In an email from the town drainage engineer, he indicated that the town has completed a temporary drainage repair effecting the property, but they are waiting on the final repair from the state since the problem is in their right of way.
  • StageFront has completed installation of the new upgraded sound system for the sanctuary. 
  • Installation of a platform lift for the sanctuary started the week of October 31. The lift and enclosure should be installed in the next few weeks.
  • A new lease has been negotiated for the Persimmon Road properties.

September 2022 project updates:

  • Drainage work on the Hilton Head Campus has been completed. The drainage pipes from our property to the Town drainage system are apparently clogged. We have been working with the Town Drainage Personnel for a solution. Unfortunately, it appears that the solution is in the State right of way so we may need patience as we move forward.
  • New gutters with screening and downspouts have been installed on the Admin Building. New gutters are also needed on the Sanctuary and Celebration Center. Due to financial considerations, his work will be postponed until 2023.
  • A significant amount of work has been completed on identifying issues with the Air Conditioning systems. We currently have a very good handle on status of the campus wide A/C systems. A group is making plans moving forward for replacement of several systems this year and an additional number in 2023. We received a gift of $6,000 from the district for use on A/C systems.
  • The Trustees have begun evaluating installation of a platform lift next to the steps leading from the Admin Building to the Sanctuary for individuals with mobility issues. This expenditure was approved at the last Trustee Meeting so we will be moving forward with installation. There is no installation date currently.
  • The Trustees continue to work on upgrading the Sanctuary sound system. A meeting was held with StageFront and a team from SABTS to finalize plans.
  • The Celebration Center carpet and the seating areas in the Sanctuary have been cleaned.   
  • With all the work going on around the Admin Building, we uncovered an old propane tank that was buried behind the building. The tank was apparently for the original kitchen in the building. Suburban Propane has removed the tank and giving us credit for the remaining propane. The tank was in very poor condition, so it was very good that it was removed.

August 2022 updates:

  • Drainage work on the Hilton Head campus has been completed. All the drainage pipes were cleaned and culverts were cleaned and lined with rock. In addition, new drainage lines were installed around the admin building. Follow up work related to drainage will be new gutters with screening and downspouts on the admin building. This expenditure was approved and will start in the next two weeks. New gutters are also needed on the Sanctuary and Celebration Center. Due to budgeting considerations, this work will be postponed until 2023.
  • With the completion of the roofing, the final payment from the Insurance company was received.
  • A significant amount of work has been completed on identifying issues with the air conditioning systems. Howell-Chase has completed their annual inspection of all systems and we hope to have a comprehensive inventory and unit status within the next two weeks so we can move forward with needed repairs.
  • The technology upgrade of the Sanctuary organ was basically completed.
    The contractor had to install a temporary computer board since the required board is not currently available due to supply chain problems. The organ is working well, and we are looking forward to the final repairs.
  • The Trustees have begun evaluating installation of a platform lift next to the steps leading from the Admin Building to the Sanctuary for individuals with mobility issues.
  • The Trustees continue to work on upgrading the Sanctuary sound system. A meeting is planned in the next two weeks with StageFront, an audio/visual company out of Savannah, and a team from SABTS to finalize plans.
  • The Trustees are reviewing options to rebuild the playground that is located behind the Admin Building.
  • We have signed a contract to clean the Celebration Center carpet and the seating areas in the Sanctuary. The work is scheduled for the week of 8/29.
  • With all the work going on around the Admin Building, we uncovered an old propane tank that was buried behind the building. The tank was apparently for the original kitchen in the building and still has propane in it. Suburban Propane will be removing the tank and giving us credit for the remaining propane.  
  • We need to do a review of our insurance policies in the next month. If anyone has this expertise and is willing to give us some time to review our current policies, please let Lois or a member of the trustees know.

July 2022 updates on several projects:

  • Monarch Roofing has completed the installation of the roofs on all the buildings at the HH campus. The replacement of the damaged ceiling tiles in the Celebration Center is also complete.
  • The Sanctuary sound system upgrades with Stage Front AV, a consultant out of Savannah has been delayed for many months by new equipment delivery issues. In the meantime we will explore alternatives.   
  • The complete technology upgrade of the Sanctuary organ is in process. The organ is playable, but it requires Bruce to work around some issues that are not currently resolved.  We hope to have the programming completed soon so all the functions are available.  
  • A new freezer has been purchased and is in place in the kitchen.
  • Work will begin this week on drainage issue at the HH Campus. Drainage pipes, culverts and drainage ditches will be cleaned out and regraded. In addition, a significant amount of work will be done at the administrative building to reroute the storm runoff to eliminate the current water problems. 
  • The Trustees have approved a request by the Soup Kitchen to install a Blessing Box (24/7 Outdoor Pantry).  It will be installed in the next couple of weeks in the area near the bike rack between the Celebration Center and the Sandbox Building at the HH campus.
  • We need to do a review of our insurance policies in the next several months. If anyone has this expertise and is willing to give us some time to review our current policies, please let Lois or a member of the trustees know.

May 2022 Updates on current projects

  • Monarch roofing has basically completed the installation of the roofs on all the buildings at the Hilton Head campus. The only thing remaining is the replacement of some decking on the canopy between the Admin. Building and the Sanctuary.  It is scheduled to be completed with a final walkthrough is to be completed in the next several days. There was a significant amount of decking that had to be replaced on each of the four buildings. With the 40-year warranty, we expect that this job will serve the church well for a long time. The last part of this job will be replacement of the damaged ceiling tiles in the Celebration Center. The tiles are on order and should be replaced in the next several weeks.
  • We are still waiting on an installation date for the Sanctuary sound system with Stage Front AV, a consultant out of Savannah. The contract has been signed but getting on their schedule has been difficult.
  • The complete technology upgrade of the Sanctuary organ has begun. The electronic portion for the main organ has been completed but we are still waiting for the electronic upgrade for the pipes. Equipment for this portion of the upgrade is on back order and is scheduled for installation in late June or July.  
  • The dishwasher in the kitchen has been repaired.
  • We need to do a review of our insurance policies in the next several months. If anyone has this expertise and is willing to give us some time to review our current policies, please let Lois or a member of the Trustees know.

April 2022 updates on several projects:

  • The tree work at Hilton Head campus has been completed.  Nine trees were removed, the canopy was raised on trees and the trees were dead wooded.
  • A contract has been signed with Monarch Roofing to replace the roof on all four buildings on the Hilton Head campus. Work will begin on April 25.  They expect it to take 10-14 days to complete the project.  There will be parking restrictions during the project.  They hope to have everything cleaned up by Sunday each week to eliminate problems during worship services. Approximately 50% of this project is being paid by our insurance company due to hail damage on the roofs.
  • The Trustees authorized an upgrade of the Sanctuary sound system with Stage Front AV, a consultant out of Savannah.  They hope to have the work completed within the next 30 days.
  • The Trustees also authorized a complete technology upgrade of the Sanctuary organ with a consultant out of North Carolina. This work should be complete in the next 2-3 weeks.
  • We have 23 air conditioning units at Hilton Head campus. Twelve of those are over 10 years old.  We are developing a long-term plan for those systems with our AC provider.
  • We need to do a review of our insurance policies in the next several months. If anyone has this expertise and is willing to give us some time to review our current policies, please let Lois or a member of the trustees know.

The Trustees for 2022:
Floyd McKeag – Co Chair floyd.mckeag@gmail.com
Bob Gentzler – Co Chair regentzler2@gmail.com
Rhonda Barry – Secretary barry.rhonda@outlook.com
Adam Flores adam.flow@gmail.com
Kerry Alexander kadiamondsun@gmail.com
Michael Tucker mtucker@mtapartners.com
Graham Silcox ggsilcox@hargray.com

If you have any concerns that the Trustees need to be aware of, please contact one of these individuals or contact Lois Chandler, Director of Admin. in the church office at loischhiumc@gmail.com


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

St. Andrew By-The-Sea wants members and friends of the church to be able to put their faith into practice. We call that “Living It!”

As a part of our 2022 theme of “Living a 5G Life” currently with an emphasis on gifts, each member along with any interested person in the community, may fill out a LIVING IT COMMITMENT, which lists all the ways you can serve in ministry at St. Andrew. Our goal is to match your gifts and talents with a place to serve Christ and others.