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Liaison Council Meeting Minutes Draft WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ms. Hedetniemi welcomed members and guests. HANDOUTS: NIH Consolidated Laboratory Facility (Building 50) Additional Floor US Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training
Children's Art at NIH Playshade Kompany catalogue page and maps of children's play area ANNOUNCEMENTS: Small Business Conference Ms. Hedetniemi said that the Small Business Conference held at the Wm. H. Natcher Center on May 20 and 21, 1999, was a success. She contrasted the first conference, at which several hundred people arrived not knowing what to do, with this conference, which had an attendance of 280, all of whom had registered and been instructed how to bid electronically. The aim of the conference was to demystify doing business with NIH. The participants had the opportunity to bid on-site electronically, and assistants from the contracting office were on hand to answer bidding questions. In addition, there were workshops and tutorials on a variety of topics of concern to small businesses. Trucks All companies involved in construction at NIH have been sent letters reminding them of regulations for speed, covering loads, and hours of operation. Ms. Hedetniemi asked the neighbors to call her office and identify trucks engaged in infractions of the rules. Tree Award Ms. Hedetniemi recently accepted an award for NIH's Japanese zelcova tree located behind Building 1. This tree was planted more than 30 years ago as an alternative to elms, since it has the same appearance as an elm but is not subject to disease and decay. This particular tree is the largest zelcova in Montgomery County. Path Lighting Six test lights have been installed on the new pathway. Ms. Hedetniemi invited the CLC to inspect their effect in the evening and call her office with reactions. Bethesda Unlimited Progress (UP) Donates Art At the artist's request, Bethesda UP is planning to donate the Rockne Krebs sculpture presently located on Wisconsin Avenue next to the Farmer's Market in Bethesda to NIH. Ms. Hedetniemi told the Council that NIH is considering placing it on Center Drive. Steam Shutdown The steam system on campus will be shut down on June 4 and 5 for an annual inspection. Notable Quotations Solicited The design for the atrium that will serve as the entrance to the Clinical Research Center has been approved with a helix-shaped staircase going up 90 feet, or seven stories. Dr. Gallin and Dr. Gottesman plan to place a notable quotation on each of the ten landings. Ms. Hedetniemi said there will be a competition to select the quotations, and she will provide details for the Council. PRESENTATIONS Infant Day Care Center Shade Proposal: Stella Serras-Fiotes, ORS, NIH: Ms. Serras-Fiotes stated that shade is needed in the infant day care play area. She presented a photo of a proposed shade structure and a map showing where it would be constructed. She explained that this structure would be needed until the Day Care Center moved to its permanent location. Ms. Rankin, an NIH employee and parent of a child in the center, also spoke of the need for shade. Mr. Schofer asked whether wind resistance might be a problem. He was told the covering is mesh, so it should not be a problem. The consensus of the group was that the shade structure should be constructed. Children's Art at NIH: Stella Serras-Fiotes, ORS, NIH At the April meeting, Ms. Serras-Fiotes described the origin of the four fence panels decorated with art from the children at the Children's Inn and the Pathfinder School. These four panels were sponsored by the Division of Engineering Services. Ms. Serras-Fiotes announced that the panels had been dedicated on April 30 at a small ceremony. The panels have been so well received that Bethesda UP is considering soliciting children's art and placing it on fencing to cover the construction sites in downtown Bethesda. Ms. Serras-Fiotes said she has a commitment from the Office of Community Liaison to sponsor a panel at $1,500 and is hoping to get funding from corporations that work with NIH to make more panels for the campus. Animal Welfare at Laboratories: Dr. Louis R. Sibal, Director, Office of Laboratory Animal Research, OD, NIH Dr. Sibal explained the regulations under which animals are used at NIH. He first assured the group that all animals at NIH are purpose-bred for research. It is illegal in the State of Maryland to use strays or animals from shelters in protocols. He assured the Council that NIH meets the highest standards of animal care. The use of all vertebrate animals except rats, mice, and birds is governed by three laws:
NIH also follows voluntary guidelines and is accredited by the Association of Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. To incorporate animals into research at NIH, scientists must follow a series of guidelines that are subject to overview by a committee composed of scientists, veterinarians, physicians, and private citizens. At each step of a project, there is thorough oversight and review of animal use. Dr. Sibal gave the following as general principles by which animal use is guided:
He said the number of dogs and cats used for research is dropping. When asked by Mr. Schofer about the total number in use at NIH, Dr. Sibal said he would have to ask the office that administers this to send a report. His office specifically handles welfare questions rather than logistical issues. Dr. Sibal said there were a couple of chimpanzees on the campus and that horses, goats and sheep, were located in Poolesville. When asked by Ms. Miller whether the chimps were used mainly for behavioral work, Dr. Sibal said that was part of their use, the other being the study of simian HIV, which is similar to human HIV but rarely fatal. He said sheep hearts are frequently studied because they are near the size of a human heart. Mr. Schofer asked about plans to replace the animal center with a new structure. Mr. Clifford responded that his office is putting together statistics to determine the exact requirements of such a facility. His office hopes to make more efficient use of the land, since the present facility housing animals in Building 14 has a very extensive footprint. He said there would continue to be an animal center at Poolesville. Mr. Williams added that preliminary study indicates the new building will be slightly larger with a smaller footprint. The Master Plan calls for design work to begin in the year 2000. Dr. Sibal said that animal care facilities are very sophisticated structures with the prescribed number of air exchanges required by law, as well as proper light changes to accommodate nocturnal animals. Operating facilities must be as clean and well supplied as those for humans. When asked, he said all procedures involving animals are conducted by veterinarians or physicians. He said the Navy can use NIH animals if they follow the proper protocols. Construction Update: Anthony Clifford and George Williams, ORS, NIH Mr. Clifford opened the presentation by announcing that Center Drive has been lined with trees, and pink geraniums have been planted at their bases. Mr. Williams followed by saying that Center Drive is now restored and the tunnel project is completely finished. He pointed out an additional floor that was added to Building 50. This was made possible financially because of the savings from a low inflation rate, and physically because NIH always builds to the maximum load level. The new floor, which makes only a slight exterior difference in appearance, will be configured the same as floor three of Building 50. This will change the completion time from July 2000 to October 2000. Building 2, which was a laboratory facility, is reopening as offices in October. Building 6 has funding to begin design for renovation, with construction planned for 2001. The Clinical Research Center will be opened some time in the late fall or early winter of 2002. Convent Drive closed on May 1 and will reopen August 1; South Drive has reopened. The Vaccine Research Center is expected to be completed in the summer of 2000. The June 9th dedication to Senator Dale Bumpers and his wife Betty will be quite prestigious. Renovation of Building 37, an NCI facility, has begun. A crane at work on this site recently fell over, but thanks to the skill of the operator, no person or property was damaged. The excavation of the power plant is almost finished. Power plant construction is scheduled to be finished in the fall of 2001. Negotiations are still continuing on the feasibility of constructing a co-generation plant. Mr. Williams said NIH is waiting to hear from PEPCO on this. If it is constructed, all power generated would be used on campus. The co-generation building would be constructed with noise abatement measures. All power at NIH will be natural gas, with clean-burning #2 diesel fuel as a back-up. Mr. Nossal asked about Building 35 and was told it may be demolished and a laboratory constructed in its place; this is in the feasibility stage now. He also pointed out that noise from the power plant seems to come and go and had been particularly loud before dying down recently. Mr. Williams said if neighbors would call him and document exactly when the noise occurs, his office might be able to figure out how to stop this occurrence by correlating the noise with equipment in use at the time. Reports from the Members Mr. Schofer said he had witnessed the NIH police work in tandem with the Montgomery County police to clear a wreck in front of the Naval Hospital and direct traffic around it. He commended them for a job well done. Mr. O'Rourke said that the Whitehall Association is ready to build a path on its side of the fence and will soon be ready for NIH to make changes in the opening of the fence to correspond to the new path. Ms. Hedetniemi said that Whitehall needs to write an official letter to NIH requesting this change. She said NIH must have this request in writing before action can be taken. Mr. Schools reported on a number of activities from the Recreation and Welfare Association. He said that the golf tournament in April raised $60,000 for NIH charities. There is an R & W barbeque on June 15 at Building 31 to benefit Camp Fantastic. The Farmer's Market is open. When asked about joining R & W, Mr. Schools said it is for employees, contractors, and those who have an association with NIH. He is checking the by-laws to determine whether neighbors can be considered for membership. NEXT MEETING: THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE ON THURSDAY, JUNE 17 AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE NATCHER CONFERENCE CENTER, ROOM D. Attendees: Janyce Hedetniemi, OCL, NIH |
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