Meeting Date
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
MINUTES of the Emergency Boiler meeting of the Pitkin County Library Board of Trustees on October 29, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 11:01 AM in the Hot Pick Room.
Roll Call:
Trustees Present:
Pres. John Wilkinson (JW)
V.P. Elizabeth Nix (EN)
Sec. Anna Lookabill Scott (ALS) (via zoom)
Tres. Audrey Ellis (AE)
Austine Stitt (AS)
Elizabeth Stewart-Severy (ES-S)
Alternate Present:
Chris Keleher (CK) – (via zoom)
Staff Present:
Genevieve Smith (GS), PC Librarian
Anna Steinberg, Assistant to PC Librarian
Jody Grady Smith, PC Assets Director (via zoom)
Public Comment:
-
None
Trustees Comments & Librarian’s Report:
- Trustee Comments-
- None
- Librarian’s Report-
- None
Old Business-
- Electrification Update: Presented by Jody Grady, PC Assets Director
- Presented a spreadsheet of options for boiler replacement and costs
- Options & Proposals moving forward for electrification will be presented to the BOCC on November 6th. The original Hybrid option versus the Value E Hybrid were presented with a breakdown of the costs and detailed scope. Including the full cost, which the County covers. That could change.
- By reducing the electricity needs in the VE option, the transformer would not need to be replaced, thereby eliminating a significant cost. This was accomplished by reducing the number of heat pumps from 9 to 5, resulting in only a 10% drop in electricity efficiency. This change also reduces the need for structural roof improvements and a reduction in the sound barrier size. It still requires a membrane added to the area of the roof utilized for the heat pumps. And still includes the redundant electrical hookup for a generator as a backup.
- Regarding the fix or replace question of boilers, BOCC approved the “fix” of all three boilers as the replacement ones would not have been available immediately, nor be the most efficient. Parts are still on their way to fix the two boilers while one is currently working. Genevieve did remind Jody this has been a repeat need to “fix” the heavily aged boilers and that it always takes longer to get the parts than expected. They will hopefully last through the winter.
- Timing: If approved by the BOCC, the plans will need to be drawn, go through permitting and hopefully will be installed in March-May. A contingency is as soon as this is approved, to order the replacement boilers so that if they do break down again, the new ones will be on their way. Because of the new design, there should be less disruption to Library operations, though they will need to shut down the water and electricity for a few hours or a day. This could possibly be timed to overlap with the lining of the sewer lines so that there are fewer closed days overall.
- John Wilkinson asked why put up a sound barrier if not required and it might not be enough? Jody responded that they were seeing what the sound would be at only 5 units rather than 9 and what was needed. But it was better to put it up with the project, so the roof doesn’t need to be altered for a second time.
- Elizabeth Stewart-Severy asked about the boilers that were canceled… and how long it is anticipated that they will take to get here? Jody responded while it is unknown exactly, it is estimated at 8-12 weeks and won’t know until the order is placed.
- Motion: to endorse the VE Hybrid option as presented to the PCLBOT
- Motioned by Austine Stitt 2nd by Elizabeth Stewart-Severy
- Passed by the Board, unanimously
Adjourned @ 11:32 PM
Moved by Austine Stitt 2nd by Audrey Ellis