Additional repairs will be required at Fire Station 2, requiring a $7,480 change order that almost puts the project over budget, city commissioners learned at their regular meeting on Wednesday.
The project, currently underway, involves significant repairs, including replacing the concrete slab in the apparatus bay, replacing portions of the heating and cooling system and replacing and regrading pavement to improve drainage around the building.
In addition, the city’s construction overseer, Sabatini Architects, said additional repairs are needed after a roof moisture survey detected wet insulation. According to the report, approximately 1,630 square feet of insulation is damaged and should be replaced.
The $470,000 cost of the project is in danger of running over budget because bids came so close to the city engineer’s estimate, city manager Matt Zimmerman said.
Commissioners approved the change order, and repairs to the roof will move forward.
Commissioners also approved a contract with Fire District 4 for services based on a formula that includes $3 per square foot for storage of equipment and vehicles and the average annual salary of three firefighter-paramedics, adjusted for annual increases.
The fire district has agreed to pay $125,000 per year for three years, with renegotiation after the third year.
In other business, commissioners approved:
• A resolution authorizing connection to the city water system and waiving annexation for Rex Williams’ property near Cottonwood Park south of Emporia.
• An ordinance eliminating two-hour parking on the north side of Eighth Avenue by ESB Financial.
• An ordinance amending a conditional use permit regarding the hours of operation at 1328 Exchange St.
• Ordinances raising water rates 19 percent and solid waste collection rates 16 percent.
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Hmm, one big complaint about the firehouse was a leaking roof and they never thought about wet insulation before the bid? Brilliant. Any repair project is going to run into stuff like this. I thought they built some wiggle room into bids just for that reason. Then everyone is happy when it comes in under. But that's just me, I guess.
October 8, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JustWondering (anonymous) says...
I agree that the insulation replacement should have been anticipated when there were roof leaks.
However, since the project is "almost over budget" I read that to mean that it is still within the budgeted amount. With that in mind, I wonder what makes this change order newsworthy?
A $7,000 change order on a $470,000 project is uncommon only because there are usually many more change orders on this size project.
October 8, 2009 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
my question is why the city never went back on the original builders or designers back years ago when they first knew the problems existed? most business construction has some kind of warranty doesn't it?
October 8, 2009 at 8:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
biscuitboy (anonymous) says...
dhcc66.....I've often had the same questions...and remember this is not the first city structure to show serious problems after construction....and at least one of them was built by the same company as I recall.
Of course some of the problems may stem from the very concept of competitive bidding. Although intended to get the work done at the lowest possible cost....competitive bidding also then can lead to corner-cutting.....using lower quality materials....inferior workmanship and collusion. between the builder and city engineers. Not saying any of this happens here in Euphoria....but where there is smoke........?
October 9, 2009 at 6:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MisterO (anonymous) says...
"Fire Station repairs almost over budget"
I guess an honest statement such as "Fire Station Repairs Still Within Budget" just doesn't sell newspapers
October 9, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )