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Council approves updated engineering contract for Estacada wastewater project after scope and cost changes
Summary
Council approved a $2,539,582 construction‑engineering contract for the wastewater facility. Staff said the project is awaiting final environmental approvals, preconstruction meetings are underway and a tentative groundbreaking is scheduled for August 11; structural engineering and inspection scope changes increased the contract from the packet's
The Estacada City Council approved an amended engineering‑during‑construction contract for the city’s wastewater facility, adjusting the total construction‑phase engineering cost to $2,539,582 to reflect scope changes and inspection planning.
Lede: contract, schedule and approvals
City staff told the council the wastewater project is nearing final environmental approvals and loan underwriting and that weekly construction team meetings have begun. Staff said the Department of Environmental Quality air‑quality review was entering a comment stage and that the city expects the last environmental approval in mid‑August. The preconstruction kickoff was scheduled for July 24; staff proposed a tentative ceremonial groundbreaking near the August council meeting on August 11.
Why the contract changed
Staff explained two main reasons for the increase from the figure in the original packet: first, a decision to stick‑build the administration building rather than using a prebuilt structure and to change the digester tank material from metal to concrete required additional structural engineering; second, the project reduced resident inspector time on site (saving cost in one line item) and reallocated inspection and on‑site engineering support to subcontracted structural engineering, which increased its scope. Staff described the net result as still cost‑effective compared with alternate inspection staffing models but requiring an upward adjustment to the engineering contract.
Council action and vote
Council voted to approve the adjusted contract amount for Kennedy Jenks for construction‑phase engineering services in the amount of $2,539,582. The motion passed without recorded opposition in a roll‑call vote: Councilors Blevins, Dolezal, Hill, McElroy, Metcalfe, Tenbush and Mayor Drinkwine each voted yes.
Project timeline and next steps
Staff said the project remains on track for remaining approvals and that the loan process will move forward after the environmental clearance. Weekly construction team meetings had been elevated from “preconstruction” status and the project team planned to begin construction activities after the final environmental step; staff asked council to consider an August 11 date for a groundbreaking event.
Budget and community context
The staff presentation noted a roughly $150,000 increase in the contract relative to the original packet number; staff attributed about $50,000 to structural changes for the admin building and digester and about $100,000 to changes in inspection and on‑site support allocation. Staff said the change reflected a net cost‑saving compared with a full‑time resident inspector model but increased the engineering subcontractor scope.
Ending
Council approved the revised contract and asked staff to continue reporting schedule and permitting updates back to council as the project enters construction.
