HomeMy WebLinkAboutRe: eagle sxout project Melanie Curtis
From: Melanie Curtis
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 11:13 AM
To: 'Derek Meyer'
Cc: Lyle Oman
Subject: RE: This is an Eagle Scout Project
Derek
After reviewing the information you provided, it does not appear that any permits or approvals will be required from the
City. Because City permits are not required we will not comment on the construction methods. However to address
your question about freeze/thaw cycles, frost footings would be the best assurance of stabilization.
Thanks for the opportunity to review. Good luck with your project.
Melanie
Melanie Curtis
Planning & Zoning Coordinator
City of Orono
2750 Kelley Parkway
Orono, MN 55356
Direct Dial: 952.249.4627
Fax: 952.249.4616
Planning &Zoning Office 952.249.4620
Email: mcurtisaci.orono.mn.us
Website: www.ci.orono.mn.us
From: Derek Meyer [mailto:ddmeyerl2@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:51 PM
To: Melanie Curtis
Subject: This is an Eagle Scout Project
Hi, this is a boy scout about to become an eagle. I presented my Project idea to the parent committee and they
wouldn't sign off on it because they weren't sure if it was stable enough for Minnesota. Attached is an overview
of how it is constructed. If you are not sure, I can send you more in-depth information.
You do not need to read the whole thing, looking at pages 5-7 will tell you pretty much if it will be strong
enough. Also, pages 10 and 11 will show you detailed pictures of the tower. The main questions are, will it be
able to stand up to kids pushing on it and will it be strong enough to survive the ground freezing and thawing.
If you don't think so, please give me ideas on how to make it stronger.
Thanks,
Derek
1
Melanie Curtis
From: Derek Meyer[ddmeyer12@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:51 PM
To: Melanie Curtis
Subject: This is an Eagle Scout Project
Attachments: Derek Eagle Project for approval.pdf
Hi,this is a boy scout about to become an eagle. I presented my Project idea to the parent committee and they
wouldn't sign off on it because they weren't sure if it was stable enough for Minnesota. Attached is an overview
of how it is constructed. If you are not sure, I can send you more in-depth information.
You do not need to read the whole thing, looking at pages 5-7 will tell you pretty much if it will be strong
enough. Also,pages 10 and 11 will show you detailed pictures of the tower. The main questions are,will it be
able to stand up to kids pushing on it and will it be strong enough to survive the gro�freez and thawing.
If you don't think so,please give me ideas on how to make it stronger.
Thanks,
Derek
i
Table of contents:
Project Description and how it will benefit the school: .........................................................................................2
TowerExamples......................................................................................................................................................3
ProjectDetails:................................................................................................................................................................4
MaterialsList:...........................................................................................................................................................5
TimeSchedule..........................................................................................................................................................6
Method......................................................................................................................................................................6
Safety.........................................................................................................................................................................6
Estimated work schedule/Timeline............................................................................................................................7
Tools.................................................................................................................................................................................7
AlternativesConsidered................................................................................................................................................8
Detailed Drawings
Kiosk.........................................................................................................................................................................10
Tower........................................................................................................................................................................11
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 1
Project Name: Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School
Project Description and How the School will Benefit:
The summer of 2009,during school renovation,it was discovered that a school chimney scheduled for removal
was a nesting and roosting habitat for almost 300 Chimney Swifts. The school district was contacted by a
community member with ties to Audubon Minnesota and asked to try to preserve Swift habitat. After learning
that the Chimney Swift population has declined by 50%in the last 40 years and that their appetite of insects is
important for a balanced ecosystem and to reduce the mosquito population on the school grounds,the school
district was interested in educating their students and community about Cbimney Swifts and creating a new
habitat to replace the chimney that would be removed. The goal was to find a way to construct a substitute
tower as a community service learning project,and educate the community with an informational kiosk built
around the tower.This tower is an ideal fit for a Boy Scout Eagle Project I will lead the design and construction
of the tower and get other scouts and community volunteers involved.Audubon Minnesota offered to play a key
role by providing educational teaching materials to the school district and expertise needed for the design of the
tower. Also,Audubon Minnesota will document the project through photos and videos to use this chimney
replacement as a teaching model statewide of how individuals and organizations can work together to sustain
this rapidly declining,important bird species. Teachable moments and hands-on learning are primary focuses
for the Orono School District's elementary environmental learning program.
Nothing impacts learning more than tying it to real world problems that students can observe and impact The
Chimney Swift tower and kiosk provides a perfect opportunity to make environmental education real and
meaningful. Students will understand the ecological system that supports the Swift and learn how human
actions have inadvertently destroyed their habitat Then,importantly,students will learn how to restore habitat
and help educate the community about the need to protect habitat for this diminishing species.
All of the Orono School District students benefit from having a school nature center on their school grounds.
Students and all visitors to the school grounds will be able to observe the Swifts and learn more about them
from the tower's kiosk. Many people statewide will learn more about protecting Chimney Swift habitat from the
Audubon's documentation of our project.
In the nature center,the school tries to get students educated. Through this project,students will learn that they
can make a difference in the ecosystem. The Swifts are dependent upon man-made chimneys for their habitat
and man depends upon the voracious insect appetite of the Swift to balance our ecosystem.Students will learn
about a real world example of where human actions have damaged habitat and caused declining Swift
population.Then,importantly,they will learn how to reverse that damage and restore needed habitat.
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 2
Examples of Chimney Swift towers:
Chimney swift tower castle: Tower with kiosk wooden tower
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itat
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Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 3
Project Details:
To help plan this project,I contacted Ron Widingstad from the Minnesota Audubon Society. Mr.Widingstad
gave me ideas and suggested that we use the book"Chimney Swift Towers: New Habitat for America's
Mysterious Birds"to plan the project. I got a copy and read the book. It includes examples all of the materials
and steps needed for completing the tower and the kiosk.
Right now,there is a grass field where we want to build the tower. I will figure out the exact location after Mr.
Widingstad comes back from vacation and we walk around the school grounds together.
After studying the options and talking to Mrs.DeLuca and Mr.Widingstad,we decided that the classic wooden
12'tower would be the best option. We can build this project with helpers from our Boy Scout Troop and some
parents to help with power tools. Also,some community volunteers have offered to help.
I considered putting in a webcam,but the School Board decided that an informational kiosk going around the
tower would be the best option.
The estimated cost for the project is $400 for the tower,and$450 for the kiosk. The total cost will be between
$850 and$950. The project already has an$800 donation. If that money is not sufficient,the donor might add
more money to her original donation,but if that is still not enough,I will set up a donation link on the school's
website with the help of Mrs.Deluca,who has done things like that before. I am also planning on asking some
local businesses for material donations.
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Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 4
Materials:
Tower
• 4 x 8 ft x 5/8"Textured T1 Siding(nesting chamber) -2 sheets
• 1 1/4"exterior Deck Screws (nesting chamber assembly)—2 lbs.
2"deck screws (sun collar&cleat attachment)—30
• 3"deck screws (form box assembly&bracing)—30
• #10 x 3/4"hex washer self-drilling metal screws(tower leg attachment)—40
• 2 x 10"x 8'construction lumber(concrete foundation form)—2
• 2 x 4"x 8'construction lumber(temporary brace boards)—2
• 2 x 4 x 18"stakes(form and tower base stabilizers)—6
• 40"pieces 3/8"rebar and tie wire(foundation)— 16
• 12"pieces 3/8"rebar and tie wire(foundation)—8
3/4"pressure treated, exterior plywood
0 15"x 15" (tower bottom)— l
0 17 1/4"x 17 1/4" (tower top)— 1
0 7"x 8" (sun collar)—2
0 13 1/2"x 8" (sun collar)—2
• 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"pressure treated lumber(cleats for tower top&bottom)—8'
• 1 1/2"x 1 1/2"angle steel measuring 5 feet long(tower legs)—4
• 80 lb bags of gravel mix concrete(foundation)—20
• 1 x 4"x 12'pressure teated lumber(corner braces/spaces)— 11
• spray primer(enamel)(tower legs)— 1 can
• spray paint(enamel) (tower legs)— 1 can
• 3/4"foil backed rigid foam insulation board—2 sheets
• siding and trim/edge flashing/predator guard flashing— 1 roll
Kiosk
• 4"x 4"x 8 ft pressure treated lumber(posts)—4
• 2"x 6"x 8 ft pressure treated lumber(roof framing)—5
• 2"x 4"x 12 ft pressure treated lumber(fascia)—2
• 4'x 8'x 3/4"plywood pressure treated lumber(rooedecking)—2
• 30 lb roofing felt—25 sq ft
• asphalt shingles—25 sq ft
• 2"x 2"x 10 ft edge flashing(outside edge of roof)—2
• 3"x 4"x 10 ft edge flashing(inside edge of roof)— 1
• 1/4"x 6" lag bolt(foundation)—8
• 15/8"deck screws(attach plywood decking to frame) - %z pound
• 3"deck screws (general assembly and bracking)— 1 pound
• 3/4"roofing nails- 'A pound
• 4'x 8'x 5/8"T1-11 siding(display panels)—2
• 2"x 2"x 8'pressure treated lumber(display panel frames)—8
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 5
Time Schedule:
I will do most of the construction in Window and Door Resource's shop while there is still snow
outside. I will do this with scouts and parents on a Saturday before April 3rd. This will solve the
problem of not having power on site and waiting for the frozen, snow covered ground to thaw. When
the ground does thaw,I will start right away to create the foundation and put the sections of tower and
kiosk we created in the shop together. This will be on either April 3rd or l Od'because the swifts come
back in early May and the troop has events planned the other two weekends in April.
Method:
At WDR shop:
Create three sections of 4'tall pieces of the tower.
Build frame for roof of kiosk,
construct kiosk display panels
Measure and cut all other wood
On location -Foundation:
Construct foundation form,
set corner posts for the kiosk,
install tower bottom section,
pour in concrete,
On location—Rest of Tower:
install section#2,
install kiosk roof.
Install section#3,
install tower top,
install insulation and sheathing,
install predator guard,
install kiosk display panels.
Possible safety hazards:
Ladder fall—We will put together most of the tower at the shop,to reduce onsite ladder use. Adults
will be climbing ladders for installation.
Incident with power tools—Only adults and trusted scouts will use the power tools. I will make sure
that every individual operating a power tool knows how to use it and/or has adult supervision.
Circular Saw and Hacksaw—Close adult supervision required for these tools.
There will be a first aid kit on site and at the shop
Adults will use spray paint.
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 6
ESTIMATED WORK SCHEDULE/TIMELINE
Task People Estimated Estimated
Needed Hours Date
Shop Work(Whole Team at WDR) 10 Scouts 3 Hours March 27
Group 1 (5 people):Create tower sections 3 Adults
Group 2 (2 people): Build frame for roof of kiosk
Group 3 (3 people):Construct kiosk display panels
Shop Work after break(Whole Team at WDR) 10 Scouts 2 Hours March 27
All people: Cut all other wood and organize for 3 Adults
site delivery
Foundation (on site) 5 Scouts 3 Hours April 2rd or
Build Foundation form 2 Adults 9th
Set corner posts for kiosk
Install tower bottom section
Pour concrete
Install rest of Tower(on site) 10 Scouts 5 Hours April 4h or
install section#2, 3 Adults lit,
install kiosk roof.
Install section#3,
install tower top,
install insulation and sheathing,
install predator guard,
install kiosk display panels.
TOTALS: 10 Scouts 115 Hours Scouts March 27—
3 Adults 39 Hours Adults April 11
Outside: We plan to have water and snacks available for the workers while working on the project.
Tools needed:
• hammer
• Lumber Crayon
• Carpenter's Square
• Framing Level
• Hacksaw
• Circular Saw
• Power Screwdrivers
• Table Saw
• Cement Mixer(or use wheelbarrow)
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 7
Cost Breakdown: Other Options considered
Wood tower
SWIFT TOWER PSRTB IIS
DESCRIPTION TOTAL SLAB BOTrOM FRAME MIDDLE TOP PER COST
44%8' 1S 2 1 12 1.73 25.95
418 'Exterior PI7wOod Si4ing w/4"Gmm 3 3 26.50 79.50
41A17f8"HardiPanel(Stucco) 3 3 26,88 60.64
4xie Insulation BMW 2 2 8.98 17,98
1 64x6'Cedar Fencing Boards(frim) 20 2 18 1.17 23.40
2'x211/4'Hardware Cloth�'ROO 1 0.15 ON 8.88 8.5
20'x10'Sheet Aluminum(Predator Guard) 1 1 7.69 7.69
1 W Docking Screws @ox) _ __ _ 1 1 1,8 0.2 8,69 17,39
Z 14 Deeking Screws(Box) 11 0.11 0.1 0,8 6.698.69
4l Firashing Nails Tack In WuMon) 321 1 321 1.00 32.00
Box 64 finish nails(Attach Tam) 11 1 2.00 2.00
Smag Box Y4'Wire Nags 1 1 1,00 1.00
11/d'x31B"Lag Bogs 24 8 16 0.36 8,64
Sae-
80#Bags krete' . _ 18 18 2.95 5.10
MW Rebar 4 4 1 4.40 17.60
311.1021/4'Wigle kon 09ay) 4 J 11176 43,04
Rebar Ties(plastic,wh.sin 1212 0.00 coo
Spgses for foundation Form 8 8 0.00 0.00
Tot.Cost 427.37
*Po9a�be Im then 18 go size of faundaron not attainable
Castle(concrete tower)
item How many Price estimate Total price
8x8xI6in hollow cilinder 167 1.30
blocks $217.10
8x8x8in hollow cilinder 10 1.25
blocks $12.50
5ft x 3/8in rebar 12 1.25 $15.00
6x46 %2 xl/2 in galvanized 22(5 rolls $40 each)
hardware cloth $200.00
Mortar mix and redy-mix 15 cubic feet morter 3.760.00 $160.00
concrete 25 cubic feet 100.00
Derek Meyer Eagle Project-Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 8
door 100 $100.00
48x48x3/4in treated %2 sheet 20
plywood $20.00
Margin of error 10% 651-797.6+tax
Kiosk
item How many price total
Lumber
4x4in x8ft 4 10 40
2x6inx8ft 5 8 40
2x4inx 12ft 2 8 16
other
4x8ftx3/4in plywood 2 26 32
301bs roofing felt 25 sq ft 35 35
Roofing material 25 sq ft 37 a square(100ft) 40
Win x1Oft edge flashing 2 15 30
3x4inxIOft "" 1 15 15
1/4x6in bolts 8 1 8
15/8 deck screws 1/2 lbs 10 10
3in"" 1 lbs 20 20
%in roofmg nails '/a lbs 10 10
4x8ftx5/8in t1-11 siding 2 60 120
64sgft
2x2inx8ft(frames) 8 4 32
total 448
Margin of error 400-500+tax
Web cam 50
Weather proof housing 50 Web cam total $250
Cable 150ft 25
repeater 75
Pvc pipe and connectors 30c ft $45
150 ft
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 9
Detailed Drawings: Kiosk
Cunuicy Swofi Tower
Kit Roof
Dison, a
i
Can me Foun oni--und Laval
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 10
Detailed Drawing: Tower
-t
.:: Top piece with reduced
toning an north side d Sun collar
v
z s Metal flashing for
r predator guard
a
TrlRi boards
v
E tterior sheathing
Rigid insolation bwd
a
1"x 4"spars
� 1
a!�$" leaeture8 l-1 i
Pb-*(W siding
; islrSmves facing inside and
;alio Was horizontally
U06 UH
eeooe
eseooes
oaoeseo
OOOOdOb .�
`... 00 00 000 J
t with ventibtion holes
Angle steel legs
Y
.f s
Steel-yeinforced
concrete foundatan
-k:�grmd level —�
Derek Meyer Eagle Project—Chimney Swift Tower for Orono Intermediate School 11