Greetings First Presbyterian Family,
The Session and the Board of Deacons met last night for an update on Wilbanks Hall. We covered what had happened over the weekend of February 19-21. We reviewed the initial clean up and where we stood as of March 3, 2021. We covered the next steps going forward.
February 19-I get a call that the water pipes around the sprinkler system in Wilbanks Hall had broken. Jesudas Thanaraj was with Fire Department. Water and power were cut off to all the buildings as a precaution.
Saturday morning, I met with Renee Stormer and David Howard (Chair of Property Committee) to survey the damage. Along the way we also contacted Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. All were on the property at some point during the weekend. These individuals had worked with an earlier Task Force.
We looked, assessed, and made phone calls. Karen Ebling, Property Manager for Grace Presbytery, contacted me while we walked the grounds. Presbytery is aware of our situation. I will go ahead and say that I have attended a Zoom meeting with the Presbytery Response Team. I have leads to follow for possible assistance. Currently they know of 29 churches that have sustained some damage.
Sunday evening, I got a phone call that we had water running from the building out to the parking lot. I contacted David Howard. I met him at Wilbanks Hall. In the end we learned that the valve to the Fire Sprinkler had broken and the water came from the dedicated water main to the system. Dave Edling called a friend and the friend called a friend. In the end the main was turned off.
Renee has begun the conversation with Insurance Board, our insurers. To date an adjuster has made an initial survey. We are meeting with the adjuster, another adjuster, and a contents specialist this Saturday.
Brandon contacted Restoration Solutions. Over the past ten days Water Out, a company that Restoration Solutions uses, has taken out the sheet-rock, insulation, and boards destroyed by the water. They have removed the carpet. They have packed up debris. The process includes dehumidification followed by drying. They will also spray the building with an anti-microbial solution to prevent mold.
We are still getting all of the facts together as the property is cleaned. The Session, with the support of the Board of Deacons, formally authorized a the Wilbanks Hall 2021 Repair Task Force. It is comprised of: Renee Stormer, David Howard, Eric Schwartz, John Kusewitt, Brandon Hall, and Dave Edling. They are authorized to act on behalf of the church to engage the best people with the task ahead of us. They will regularly report back to Session. This will be part of the agenda for the Stated March 17 meeting. We will keep the congregation updated at regular intervals.
Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement. ~Jones Doughton
