San Francisco's first LEED-EB hotel

SAN FRANCISCO — The Orchard Hotel has become the first in San Francisco to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) certification, according to Green Building Elements.

The owner of the Orchard Hotel, Mrs. S.C. Huang, has pressed for more environmentally friendly elements in her hotel ever since the cancer-related deaths of three family members, the story stated.

The Orchard Hotel is Energy Star rated and is 90 percent more energy efficient than a comparable, non-rated hotel, the story noted.

Some of the hotel's sustainable aspects are a plate and frame heat exchanger on the rooftop that reduces heating and cooling costs, organic and naturally anti-microbial bed linens and restaurant menu items that incorporate local ingredients, the story added.

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Mold forces school to relocate

BENICIA, CA — Kindergarten students from St. Dominic's School may finish their school year at Mills Elementary School after the discovery of mold in the ceiling, walls and floor forced school officials to seek an alternate location to hold classes, according to the Vallejo Times Herald.

Mills Elementary School, which is slated to be turned into a community center, was quickly remodeled to accommodate the incoming kindergarten students; city officials replaced the carpet, repaired the heating and air conditioning unit and repaired both restrooms, the story stated.

The $7,400 price tag for the remodeling and rent for the remainder of the school year will be split between St. Dominic's School and the City of Benicia, the story noted.

The Benicia City Council will make a final decision tomorrow to approve or deny the move, which school officials hope will allow them to move in Wednesday, the story added.

According to the story, St. Dominic's School students are on spring break this week.

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District may outsource 23 custodial positions

PORTAGE, MI — Portage Public School custodians were surprised to learn that 23 second- and third-shift positions could be eliminated if the district follows through with plans to outsource afterhours custodial work, according to the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Pamela Roman, a custodian at Angling Elementary School, worries that she it may be almost impossible for her to get another job that includes medical insurance and a wage high enough to keep her family financially secure if she loses her job, the story stated.

Bids for private custodial services in the district are due May 12, and only after that will the district make a final decision whether or not they will outsource the work, the story noted.

The district can save considerable amounts of money by outsourcing because private companies generally do the work for less due to the fact that their employees' salaries and benefits are lower than that of district employees, the story added.

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City's proposed green building policy

EAST LANSING, MI — The City of East Lansing has proposed legislation to create a green building policy that would require new businesses that receive funding from economic development programs to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards, according to the State News.

Buildings would be required to meet various levels of LEED certification depending on the amount of funding they receive from development programs, the story stated.

Dave Smith, an environmental specialist for East Lansing, said: "The benefits for tenants are a better-quality work environment, and energy efficiency means the long-term costs of tenants would be less."

If the legislation is passed, East Lansing will become the first city in the state to tie economic incentives to sustainable construction, the story noted.

The legislation applies only to buildings with site plans that have not yet been approved and will be voted on by the East Lansing City Council later this week, the story added.

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Southern California's first ultra-luxury LEED-certified hotel

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Montage Beverly Hills has earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it the first ultra-luxury hotel in Southern California to each such a designation, according to a press release.

The Montage Beverly Hills is one of only four hotel worldwide to have earned the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED-Gold certification for new construction, the release stated.

Mark Slymen, director of sustainability for Montage Hotels & Resorts, said: "All future projects are being designed and constructed with the sustainable commitment that Montage has towards the environment and surrounding communities. We will continue to lean on the USGBC and the LEED rating system in order to benchmark our success."

The 201-room Montage Beverly Hills Hotel opened in November 2008 and was developed by The Athens Group and designed by HKS Hill Glazier Studio, the release noted.

To qualify for LEED certification, a property must meet the LEED rating system's requirements for water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality, the release added.

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Man beats 834 applicants for janitor position

MASSILLON, OH — After beating more than 800 other applicants, David Patron has been offered the coveted janitor position at Edison Junior High School, according to the Canton Repository.

The Perry Local Board of Education will vote to approve or deny the one-year contract April 28; Patron's appointment is expected to gain the Board's approval, the story stated.

Previously, Patron worked as an independent contractor for the U.S. Postal Service, a job that came with no benefits and no pension program, the story noted.

According to the story, the Edison Junior High School janitor position pays between $15 and $16 an hour and includes benefits.

Patron, who has a child attending Edison Junior High School, was selected in part for his effective communication skills and previous experience working with the public, the story added.

Patron said: "The hiring process was very structured. With each step or platform, it was another opportunity to present yourself better than the time before. I’m fortunate that I met those requirements. My references spoke highly of me. And I believe God had a big hand in it, too."

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Jamestown Civic Center cleaned after flood relief efforts

JAMESTOWN, ND — After sangbagging efforts to aid in flood prevention ended, the Jamestown Civic Center has been thoroughly cleaned by Munters, according to the Jamestown Sun.

There were at least 25 workers in the labor crew cleaning at any given time, along with a supervisor and project manager, the story stated.

The total cost of the project was $181,150, including $137,950 for general cleaning and $43,200 for air duct cleaning, the story noted.

According to the story, Munters had until April 20 to finish the project, but because of their dedication and expertise, they were able to finish the project early.

Pam Fosse, Jamestown Civic Center director, said: "We’re hoping it will bring back a sense of normalcy to the city. It’s not difficult to drive down the street and realize the situation we’re in … We’re hoping to give people a break and take their minds off the situation."

It is unknown where the money to pay for the cleaning will come from, but the Civic Center hopes the majority will be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the story added.

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