Council Communication Office of the City Manager	Date	January 28, 2008
	Agenda Item No. 40 Roll Call No. 08- Communication No. 08-039 Submitted by: Jeb E. Brewer, P.E. City Engineer

AGENDA HEADING:

Approval of Des Moines Public Schools request to use Skywalk System as Fire Exit for Walnut Street School.

SYNOPSIS:

Approval of the Urban Design Review Board recommendation to approve the request from the Des Moines Public Schools to allow use of a portion of the Skywalk System as a fire exit for the Walnut Street School Building at 901 Walnut Street.

FISCAL IMPACT: NONE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Des Moines Public Schools, owner of the Walnut Street School at 901 Walnut Street, have requested that the City Council, pursuant to Des Moines Municipal Code Section 102-329(k), authorize the use of the Skywalk System adjacent to the Walnut Street School Building as part of the fire exit system for the building. Section 102-329(k) of the City Code regarding Skywalks states: “Those skywalk bridges, skywalk corridors and vertical access facilities which are designated by the city council as fire exits or paths to fire exits must be open in accordance with the applicable city fire ordinances, as may be from time to time amended, and all fire prevention code requirements as to the construction of skywalk corridors to a point of access to the outside must be observed. Private property interests may not use skywalk bridges or skywalk corridors as fire exits without specific permission from the city council.”

The Des Moines Public Schools have received approval from the State Fire Marshall to allow the existing skywalk connection to the building to be considered as an on-grade exit for use by the school. This approval allows kindergarten and first grade students to have classes on the second floor of the building. The School District is also preparing plans to convert the fourth floor of the building to classrooms for grades 4-5, a library and a music room. The City’s Building Official has indicated that through their permitting process, this egress will comply with the building code.

City staff has recommended approval of the request to use the Skywalk System adjacent to the Walnut Street School Building as part of the fire exit system for the building, and the Urban Design Review Board at its regular meeting on December 18, 2007, recommended approval of such recommendation by a vote of 7-0.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S): NONE

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S): URBAN DESIGN REVIEW BOARD

Date: December 18, 2007

Roll Call Number: N.A.

Action: The Urban Design Review Board approved the request from the Des Moines Public Schools to allow use of a portion of the Skywalk System as a fire exit for the Walnut Street School Building at 901 Walnut Street.

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS: NONE