Notice of Special Congregational Meeting
When: Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 12 noon.
Purpose: Approve a resolution to replace our current lift.
BACKGROUND
The current lift was installed in 1981 (45 years ago), with an expected life of about 25 years; thus we are long past the expected life. Spare parts for the current lift are unavailable, thus the lift cannot be repaired if a part wears out.
The Buildings & Ground team have pursued developing a plan for replacing the lift. The project goals are: improve speed, reduce operational noise, and address repairability issues with current lift. The B&G team received multiple bids, and proposes to move forward with a new lift from 101 Mobility of Coralville.
Significant advantages with the proposed new lift over the current:
Faster operation (16 feet per minute vs 8.5 feet per minute)
Much quieter operation (due to hydraulic drive)
Greater load capacity (750 lbs vs 450 lbs)
Battery supplement operation (for possible power outages)
Option to improve aesthetics (aluminum doors with windows)
Safer (24 hr. emergency call phone service)
Platform size and number of stops (3) to be maintained as is
New lift comes with 36-month warranty
LIFT REPLACEMENT PROJECT COST CONSIDERATIONS
PROJECT COSTS:
101 Mobility Quote: $67,729.96 (lift equipment + installation labor)
Hawkeye Communications (estimate) for required analog phone line: $400.00
5% Contingency: $3406.50
TOTAL PROJECTED COST: $71,536.46
ASSOCIATED RECURRING COSTS:
101 Mobility: $450/yr, annual lift certification (current we spend $526/yr)
State Certification: unchanged from current $165/yr
Hawkeye Communications: $60/month (24-hr emergency live person answering service)
FUNDING
We have received a special gift of $50,000 towards this project. Additional gifts have been received. With these donations and the existing funds in our Accessibility Projects Capital Fund, we currently have in excess of $78,000 available. Therefore, we have sufficient funds to proceed with the project. We welcome additional donations to support additional projects to improve accessibility around the building.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During First Hour on September 20, the Board, Building & Grounds, and Finance will be presenting more information about this project and answer any questions. First Hour starts at 9:45 a.m. in the Ely Room. Or email B&G co-chair, Steve Hershner at shershner56@gmail.com.
WHY ARE WE HAVING A CONGREGATIONAL VOTE?
Our bylaws stipulate that the Board of Trustees cannot authorize spending on a project outside the current approved budget if it exceeds 25% of our annual budget (Section VII.4). The congregation needs to provide 75% approval for the project to proceed. This project is about 26% of our current budget. Previous projects, like the ramps and solar panels, were less than the 25% threshold.
PROPOSED MOTION:
The congregation authorizes the PCUU Board of Trustees to contract with 101 Mobility to replace the lift in our building, with an estimated cost of $71,536.46.
TO VOTE BY PROXY
If you are a voting member of Peoples Church UU and cannot attend the September 20, 2026 Congregational Meeting, you may arrange for another member to vote on your behalf and then submit your proxy through this form which is due by 12:00 PM on Friday, September 18, 2026.: https://forms.gle/VCQZYqsjJNEkg8yy5
Graphic designed by Erin Wilde