Base residents gathered at the Tinker Event Center on Tuesday evening for updates from 72nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Paul Filcek and Balfour Beatty Communities management regarding the progress of base housing repairs and issues.
Residents were also welcome to state concerns to BBC management and ask questions about the improvement process.
“We recruit Airmen, Sailors and Soldiers, but we retain families,” Filcek said. “We’re on the first step on a path. Trust gaps can only be repaired with progress over time.”
Since the last town hall to discuss housing issues, 100% of the commander’s review over base housing and repair of the deficiencies found have been completed along with the replacement of 100% of the PEX lines. The Military Housing Office has hired four more employees and the Air Force Civil Engineering Center hired a Residential Construction Manager to help meet the needs of residents. BBC also hired a Quality Control Specialist for the work being done within housing.
Management from BBC announced that they have implemented quarterly pest control preventative services and launched a preventative maintenance partnership for HVAC systems which includes certified HVAC experts, semi-annual inspections of HVAC systems and water heaters, routine maintenance, and identification and completion of any required HVAC work. The Tinker AFB Homes team will also conduct a visual inspection of exterior mechanical closets quarterly.
Blackmon Mooring had been contracted to handle moisture concerns and mold remediation in base housing, however that has been handed over to Balfor Property Restoration.
In attempts to work through communication and transparency issues, the Air Force Civil Engineering Center will also be hiring a resident’s advocate that will be under the Airman & Family Readiness Center.
“Communication is the only key to long term success,” Filcek said. “Unless we have transparency we won’t succeed.”
Another step being made toward more open communication with residents is the implementation of a Commander’s Residents Council. The council will be comprised of 12 resident volunteers, two from each neighborhood on base who will meet strictly with Col. Filcek on a monthly basis and as needed in order to bring their concerns to the forefront.
Courtney Bruner with BBC encouraged residents to join the online residents portal in order to submit and track work orders as services, aside from emergency work orders which can still be called in, will be online only beginning on July 31.
Bruner also announced community improvement projects they will be implementing including asphalt, sidewalk and gutter repairs throughout the community; curb repair and bus expansion on McNarney Avenue; LED light conversion throughout the community; and tree removal and replacement.
BBC will also be making updates to the homes in McNarney Manor including roof replacement, exterior painting, window replacement, siding repair/replacement and HVAC updates.
It was also suggested that military housing residents take a look at the BBC Resident Bill of Rights by visiting tinkerafbhomes.com. This list includes the right to a well-maintained and comfortable home, a clean and attractive community with well-maintained amenity spaces and convenient methods of communication with BBC management.
If any resident experiences health and safety issues in base housing they should contact BBC’s local management or maintenance team without delay, and keep all records of communication regarding the issue. They should also contact the MHO. MHO will follow a step-by-step process to get the issue resolved. If there is still no resolution after contacting MHO, residents should contact USAF Housing Call Center.
It was also stressed that residents can reach out to their chain of command with any housing concerns at any time.