East Ridge approves $176,000 roofing change order for community center expansion after structural issues surfaced

The East Ridge City Council voted to approve a $176,004.73 change order to install a PVC membrane roofing system over the community center expansion after contractors and engineers identified structural and moisture problems during demolition and assessment. Council members raised concerns about why the extra costs were not identified before construction bids were awarded.

The change order covers a roof approach recommended by the metal‑building subcontractor and the change was required because the existing pre‑engineered metal building roof was found to be a structural element; adding the new membrane required additional structural reinforcement and associated work to meet the engineer’s requirements.

City Manager Miller and the project architect (H&K Architects) told council that the pre‑engineered metal building contractor declined to sign off on the originally specified approach and proposed the membrane solution. That approach required additional structural reinforcements because the existing roof contributes to the building’s structural system. Miller said the immediate vote covered only the PVC membrane roof system (change order 002B) for $176,004.73; staff also described five other change orders totaling roughly $85,641 that will be considered at a later meeting because they were not on the agenda for this session.

The council’s discussion focused on procurement and scope oversight. Several council members asked why the structural issue had not been discovered in the design phase and said the city should seek lessons learned to avoid similar overruns. The administration explained that pre‑engineered metal buildings involve third‑party manufacturer engineering, and that the manufacturer’s in‑house engineer would not sign off on the original plan after a site review; that required a change in approach and additional reinforcement.

Council approved the $176,004.73 change order by roll call vote (yes 5, no 0). City staff said the roofing work and associated structural work will be paid from the city’s capital improvement fund balance and that the remaining change orders will be returned to council for formal approval at a later date once advertised and placed on the agenda.

Ending — next steps

Staff will bring the remaining change orders and related contract amendments back to a future council meeting. Council requested a review of contracting and design oversight procedures to reduce the chance of similar cost increases on future capital projects.