Council delays vote on $247,281 Parametrix amendment after heated discussion over shaft repairs and contingency

Orting — The City Council on Wednesday pushed a proposed $247,280.98 amendment to Parametrix’s contract for construction management of the new pedestrian bridge to its Sept. 24 regular meeting after more than an hour of discussion about responsibility for drilled-shaft problems, pending change orders and the city’s remaining contingency.

The amendment covers additional engineering and construction-management work, including shaft repair evaluation, changes to the east stair/pathway and related design effort. Public works committee materials show the requested amount would increase the Parametrix-related total charges to roughly $500,732.99 against the project contingency, leaving about $308,000 remaining in the contingency bucket if the council approves the amendment.

Council members described the item as urgent because construction is underway and Parametrix has performed work to keep the project moving, but several members pressed for more documentation and for staff to pursue cost recovery from the prime contractor where fault exists. “Parametrix does deserve to get paid for the work, but my argument is who’s at fault for the cost,” Council member…