Lessons from the Diaglogue on the Construction Course

Over the course of the past six months, in the dialogue on the Construction Course for the high school, some important things have come out for all Evansville citizens.

First-----the homes on the westside are mostly at zero grade, which means that the contractor has to elevate the home to the proper elevation to avoid groundwater problems. The elevation is specifically on the plat----This was done at the time of the approval of the Westfield Meadows, so there would be documented notice to all buyers of the elevation of the home--and notice to the contractor building the home.

The contractor has to make the correct computation of elevation, or have an independent engineer make it----and any error is not the fault of the seller of the land.

Specifically in the case of the lot at 6th and Badger, Dave Sauer recommended such an independent verification of elevation BEFORE the basement was dug, NOT after by the city inspector.

I have published my correspondence on this matter so all could know that I was assured during my race for the school board, that the proper calculation would be made so in the very first home built, of this important construction course, that no error by the basement contractor was made.

I have attached the letter from Supr. Heidi Carvin to the Board as well as my letter for the file;



Subject: FW: Dave Sauer ----consult re 6th and Badger lot and recommendation
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 2007 11:05:58 -0600
From: "Carvin, Heidi" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "Koustroun, Robert"
CC: "Pierick, Michael" , "Larson, Michael" , "Hatfield, Dennis" , woulfe98@yahoo.com
Rob,

There was a question raised at Monday’s finance meeting about potential water issues on the lot being considered for the Advanced Building Trades class. I remember that you and I briefly discussed the issue and that you were taking those factors into account as the house was being designed. Please read the information below. I would assume that you and the developers will be following the process discussed below. Could you share the draft of the plans at the March 19 finance meeting? Even if the plans are not ready, we will have some questions about how and when the construction loan would be sought. If you can’t make the meeting, please fill Deb Olsen and I in ahead of the meeting and we will share the information.



Heidi J. Carvin

608-882-3386

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From: Richard Woulfe [mailto:woulfe98@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2007 10:33 AM
To: Carvin, Heidi
Subject: Re: Dave Sauer ----consult re 6th and Badger lot and recommendation




Heidi----



Dave Sauer with Foth and VanDyle called me this morn and reviewed the lot at 6th and Badger and my concern about the proximity to problems nearby.



He recommended that the contractor be required to have a surveyor verify that the proper elevation was prepared and that each plat had the elevation necessary for that lot printed on it. The city has the procedure for getting the benchmarks necessary. This requirement would ensure than an error was not made in the construction of the basement.



Mr. Sauer recommended this procedure for each house being built and not just at this lot. If this procedure was insisted on I have no concerns about the site proposed and have indicated so to Mr. Berg. This surveyor verification is over and above any city inspection by Mr. Wartenmueller. That inspection occurs after the fact and too late to remedy an error.





best regards,



Richard Woulfe
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