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Council approves additional construction-administration services for Well 1 after debate over scope creep
Summary
After discussion about scope creep and future savings on later wells, the Heath City Council approved an amendment to Kimley-Horn & Associates’ professional services agreement to add construction-administration services for Well 1, not to exceed $44,200; the measure passed with one dissenting vote.
The Heath City Council approved an amendment Oct. 28 to the professional services agreement with Kimley-Horn & Associates Inc. to add construction-administration services for Well 1, with a not-to-exceed cost of $44,200.
Public Works staff presented the requested amendment as a response to oversight needs during drilling, electrical procurement and other construction activities. The added scope includes six additional observation site visits, review of up to 12 pay applications, scheduling assistance and facilitation of monthly construction meetings over an approximately 22-week schedule with pauses for long-lead electrical components.
City staff and councilmembers discussed project management and the risk of incremental change orders. Councilman Dodson and others urged the city and consultant to capture lessons from Well 1 to reduce oversight and fees on subsequent wells 2–4 if Kimley-Horn is awarded those design contracts. City Manager Alexander said the consultant work is intended as a “force multiplier” to assist limited staff capacity and to ensure pay applications and the drilling work are reviewed consistently.
The council first took and lost a motion for the amendment (the initial motion received no second and died). After further discussion and clarifications from staff and the city manager, Councilman Dodson moved again; the second motion passed with a recorded nay from Councilman Mormon (the transcript identifies one opposing vote). The motion authorizes the city manager to execute the contract amendment.
Kimley-Horn personnel present included Tanner Henson and Anthony Samaripas.
Councilmembers asked staff to seek economies of scale on later wells and to return recommendations on how to capture lessons learned so future construction-administration costs can be reduced.
