Electric Vehicle Charging at CUF!  [Withdrawn from Consideration]  04/10/2024

By installing a dual-port Level 2 Electric Vehicle charging station in front of the three parking
spaces at the south end of the CUF parking lot, this project will promote the use of clean vehicle
technology, connect our congregation to the climate-conscious community, and generate a
modest contribution toward the Fellowship’s utility costs (depending on how much we “charge”
users). We have a proposal from Burke Electric to provide and install 1 dual-port Level 2 EV
charger, with a concrete base and all wiring and electrical elements, priced at $22,000. An
additional $3,000 is budgeted for lighting and sidewalk expansion, bringing the total to $25,000;
of this total, at least 80% should be reimbursable. A 5-year commercial service plan to control
the charger and process credit card payments would cost $2,000. With congregational approval
by May, we should be charging cars by the end of August!

See the details of the proposal at:  Electric Vehicle Charging at CUF 

Heating and Air Conditioning at CUF

HVAC is essential for the day-to-day life of the Fellowship. We propose replacement of Air
Conditioner/ Furnace for Sanctuary. Replacement is scheduled to be done as soon as possible
by Heartland Mechanical Contractors. CUF will also upgrade all 5 thermostats to state of the art.
We expect this to be completed no later than July 30, 2023. CUF also needs to set an additional
amount aside for the replacement of another HVAC unit. Estimate provided by Heartland
Mechanical Consultants: ($9780). The next HVAC system would be about $10,000. Therefore
the request for this proposal is $19,780.

See the details of the proposal at:  Heating and Air Conditioning at CUF

Permanent A/V Equipment Upgrades

Hybrid services will be expected and normal moving forward into perpetuity. This equipment will
make it easier to provide seamless A/V hosting for Sunday services and other events in the
fellowship hopefully only requiring one A/V host per event. This proposal ties into our Mission
and Vision statement of being a vibrant, diverse, loving community since it provides access to
those who may not otherwise be able to attend in person. It also ties into the Strategic Plan to
increase opportunities for connection and spiritual and personal growth. We propose to upgrade
A/V equipment for more permanent usage solutions. May include, but not limited to, cameras,
microphones, and work space. Estimated completion date would be dependent on if and when
equipment is available, installed, and tested for use. We will endeavor to complete it as quickly
as possible. Cost: $15,000

See the details of the proposal at:  Permanent A/V Equipment Upgrades

Creation of a single-occupancy "Safe Space Bathroom"

It is our belief that in order for CUF to effectively champion the social justice issue of gender
expression, ALL spaces must be welcoming and inclusive. Creating bathroom facilities that are
open to people of any gender, or “gender neutral,” is an important and critical way to provide full
welcome and inclusion. We propose to convert the existing storage room currently used by RE
into a single stall bathroom. Plumbing already exists in an adjoining wall from the nursery
bathroom. This is a low cost, low impact INTERIM solution to offer a gender neutral bathroom at
CUF. Completion date would be approximately 4 weeks from start date. Cost: $14,000

See the details of the proposal at:  Creation of single-occupancy "Safe Space Bathroom"

Roof Replacement

We will be replacing the roof with 30-year shingles, ensuring a roof for years to come. Provides
a sound roof, maintains a beautiful building and assists with fiscal sustainability. CUF has
contracted with J&L Robinson to manage this project.It will take 6-7 months to go from bids to
final roof.
Cost: No more than $102, 800. The congregation has raised $81,000 which is in the Building
Maintenance Fund, so our request is for $21,800.

Solar Panels for CUF!

Installing a solar panel installation at CUF demonstrates environmental stewardship,
encourages local adoption of clean energy technology, connects our congregation more
closely to the climate-conscious community, and reduces CUF energy costs. We have
received formal proposals for installation of both roof-mounted and ground-mounted
solar arrays, providing approximately 14kW in capacity, from three established vendors.
The lowest-priced proposal (Southern Illinois Solar) costs about $38,000; the initial cost
of the proposal with the lowest net cost (from StraightUp Solar) is $41,500. These are
both roof-based systems, and costs of up to 75% can be reimbursed. With approval by
May, the solar panels can be operational within 4 months after the roof has been
replaced.

See the details of the proposal at:  Solar Panels for CUF