Included in the Airport's Capital Improvement Program is the Exterior Finish Insulation System (EFIS) Repair/Replacement Project for the Airport's Terminal and Operations Buildings.  EFIS is an exterior wall covering, also known as Dryvit, and consists of a layer of high density insulation adhered to a substrate and then surface coated with a colored layer of acrylic based Portland cement, which is troweled onto the insulation board.  The service life for the EFIS is usually 10-15 years. The existing EFIS is 25 years old and performed very well until last year when the exterior of the system showed signs of movement and cracking, caused by edges of the insulation telegraphing through the outer finish layer.  The Airport had the EFIS at both buildings inspected, including test cores taken at several locations.  These tests found the insulation board installed on the Operations Building had become detached from the substrate making the whole wall system unstable.  Based on this information, the best way to proceed is to remove and replace the EFIS.  The inspection of the Airport Terminal Building indicated some of the expansion joints in the EFIS were peeling away and needed to be replaced.  Additionally, one of the walls needs to have the finish coat repaired and repainted.

This project was advertised in the Yellowstone County News on March 9,16, and 23, and was posted on the City and the Airport's Websites.  No bids were received on this project.  Staff will evaluate alternative exterior finish systems and advertise this project at a later date.

 

City Council may:

• Approve staff recommendation to delay the project, analyze alternative exterior finishes, and rebid at a later date; or
• Decline to approve staff recommendation and direct staff on how to proceed.

There is no financial impact for this project at this time, although there is $300,000 budgeted in the Airport's capital account for the new exterior finish.

Staff recommends that the City Council delay the Airport Exterior Finish Insulation System Repair and Replacement project, analyze alternative exterior finishes, and rebid at a later date.