Mission 2050
| Estimated Cost | Annual Savings | |
1. A New Heating System |
||
|
$124,000 |
$16,400 |
|
$92,000 |
|
|
$308,000 |
$3,300 |
2. The Building Exterior |
||
|
$226,000 |
$1,200 |
|
$113,000 |
$5,300 |
|
$139,000 |
$5,500 |
3. A Photovoltaic Solar Electric System |
||
|
$257,000 |
$1,700 |
$33,400 |
||
4. A New Organ Console |
||
|
$108,200 |
|
4. An Accessible Restroom |
||
|
$15,000 |
|
6. Major Maintenance Fund |
||
|
$100,000 |
|
TOTAL |
$1,482,200 |
|
Less S105,000 in rebates & incentives |
($105,000) |
|
Less $257,000 in investments |
($257,000) |
|
Plus contingency fund |
$200,000 |
|
Plus $20,000 for fundraising |
$20,000 |
|
ESTIMATED GRAND TOTAL |
$1,340,200 |
Why are we recommending these improvements?
- In 2012, steam will no longer be available from EWEB so we must change our heating system. As we make these changes, we must upgrade our now 40+ year old heat delivery system.
- As we install a new heating system, fixing the “leaks” in the exterior of the building makes sense. We will not have to spend nearly as much money on heat if we have sealed the envelop of the building.
- We believe that God calls us to be good stewards of Creation. These improvements will reduce our carbon footprint by 60% from 2009 level. Saving energy also means saving money that we spend on energy – $33,400 annually.
- One way to publicly show our commitment to God’s Creation is to join with many others in our community who have installed photovoltaic solar electricity generating systems.
- When the organ was updated in the late 1990’s there wasn’t enough money to replace the console. The computer system in the console communicates with the organ pipes. It is now completely outdated and electrical shortages cause the console to send out smoke. Adding this into a capital campaign seems like the wise choice instead of coming back to the congregation in a year or two when the console permanently quits working.
- There is currently no accessible restroom for men on the main floor of our building. It is interesting that there is an accessible restroom in the youth center in the basement!
- Our annual budget cannot sustain an emergency maintenance need to our facility. Establishing a fund that we can draw upon when necessary just makes sense.
How will we pay for these necessary improvements?
- Over the past six months, we have interviewed four fundraising organizations and have selected Klein and Roth Consulting.
- We will begin a fundraising campaign to secure three-year pledges and advance cash donations.
- In addition to pledges and advance cash donations, we will pursue no-interest and low-interest loans on those energy saving portions of the project. We are working to secure a construction loan from a local bank. Our own Foundation has made $100,000 loan money available for the project.
- If necessary, we will seek the congregation’s approval to sell the parsonage (which is currently rented) and borrow these funds to help pay for these necessary improvements.
- We will continue to solicit investors in the 27K photovoltaic solar energy system. These investors will own the system while receiving tax credits and rebates until the system has paid for itself. It will then become the property of FUMC.
- Depending on the outcome of our 2010 fundraising efforts, we may need another fundraising campaign in 2012 to pay off construction loans.
MISSION 2050, A New Energy for a New Time
FAQ Sheet
HEATING SYSTEM
The recommendation is to install high efficiency gas condensing water boilers and rehabilitate the existing pipes, controls, air-exchangers, etc.
Q: When will EWEB turn off the steam?
A: We have been told that 2012 is the year when producing steam will no longer be a viable option for EWEB.
Q: Will there be a span of time we are without heat during the boiler installation?
A: The new heating system will be installed during the summer months when we are not using the heating system.
BUILDING EXTERIOR
The recommendation is to repair and insulate the sanctuary roof, apply clear thermal covering to the onyx windows, and replace the windows throughout the building with double-pane low E glass.
Q: Would it be more efficient to replace some internal windows with walls?
A: The windows are an integral part of the architectural design of the building. While there would be some energy savings the committee felt that it would be best to retain the windows.
Q: Will they change the size of the windows to a more efficient one?
A: The design of the windows will change but the overall size of the windows will not. Smaller windows will be installed in the area below the current chair rail with larger windows above.
Q: If we do not cover the onyx, what would be the percent of loss?
A: By insulating the sanctuary and sealing the onyx windows, the benefit in heat retention is four times greater than if we just insulated the roof. It is like insulating your home and then leaving the front door open. Not to mention that the windows leak.
PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR GENERATING SYSTEM
The recommendation is to solicit investors and install a 27K photovoltaic solar electricity generating system and parking canopy.
Q: How was the location of the solar panels chosen?
A: The location was chosen in consultation with Solar Energy Design. We had originally hoped to put the solar panels on the roof but the roof structure will not accommodate the weight and if we try to reinforce the structure in order to attach the racks to the roof, asbestos is a problem. There were two places in the parking lot that were optimal. We chose to put the parking canopy next to the building so that it would be of more benefit on rainy days and so no trees would be lost.
Q: What will the rate of return be to investors on the solar panels and who pays back the solar investors?
A: The estimated rate of return is 10% spread over a six-year period with most coming in the initial year. The payback comes from Federal and State tax credits; EWEB rebates; and from the generation of electricity.
PRIORITIES
There are 6 recommendations: install a new heating system, repair the building exterior, install a 27K photovoltaic solar electric generating system, replace the failing organ console, make the parlor restroom accessible, and create a major maintenance fund.
Q: Should there be some priority to projects, so if we cannot fund the entire project now, which would go first?
A: The heating system must come first. By 2012 there will be no steam generated by EWEB. The sanctuary roof leaks. It must come second. But the Capital Improvement Committee believes that all of the projects work together. When we make sure that the building is well insulated and heat is not escaping through the roof and the windows, the heating system we choose to install can be sized differently. We began with a list of 18 possible projects and recommended six priorities.
FINANCES
The total projected cost of these projects is $1,340,000 with expected annual savings of $33,000.
Q: Are gifts to the capital campaign tax-deductible?
A: Yes, any gift to the church is tax-deductible.
Q: When do we begin to realize savings on the cost of our EWEB bill?
A: We will begin realizing savings from EWEB as soon as the heating system is changed. We currently budget $55,000 a year for EWEB. When all the work is completed, we should be able to reduce the budgeted amount to $22,000 with annual savings of $33,000 at 2009 costs.
Q: Will EWEB have money to loan in addition to the state and federal funds?
A: We are working with EWEB to determine if they will have money to loan.
Q: Will there be a time to pledge for the capital campaign, and how much money needs to be raised up front?
A: Yes, there will be a major fundraising campaign. We are working with Klein and Roth Consultants to help us with a campaign coming after Easter. We are working with Pacific Continental Bank to insure that we have sufficient money to get the project going. The amount we will borrow will be determined by how much cash we receive combined with the pledges.
Q: How long will the fundraising last and when will the project(s) begin?
A: The initial fundraising phase will be a three-year pledge cycle with the intensive part of the campaign coming after Easter. The projects will begin this summer.
Q: Relative to what we usually raise for the annual budget, what would be the additional dollar amount to raise for these projects?
A: We have been advised by fundraising professionals that it is possible to raise 2 to 3 times the annual pledges for three year capital campaigns. Our current pledges are $425,000 so the goal of $1,340,000 over a three-year period seems within reach, especially with the expected annual savings. We are aware that we may need to have another fundraising campaign in 2013 to pay off loans.
Q: How much would each person expect to pledge to the campaign, over and above his or her annual general fund pledge? Is it possible to give people an estimate of how much more per pledging unit would be required to raise the funds?
A: We have not calculated a “per person” amount because our ability to give differs widely. We hope that each person will prayerfully consider what he or she can give beyond his or her annual pledge to the ministry of the church. Some will give a one-time gift of cash or stock, some will make pledges over the three years, some will do both. As those who founded the congregation in 1854 and those who have funded the construction of four different facilities, we believe that it is now our responsibility to give this gift to future generations.
TIMELINE
Q: How long will it take to do all the projects ~ what is the timeline and order?
A: At this point the plan will be to complete the new heating system and the photovoltaic solar electricity generating system during the summer of 2010. The work on the sanctuary roof and onyx windows will come in the summer of 2011. The replacement of the windows and the organ console will happen as soon as possible as will the accessible restroom. It is our hope that all of the projects will be completed by September/October of 2011.
