Claremore city staff gave a detailed progress update on the design‑build water-treatment plant upgrade, a project with a contract value of roughly $28,000,000 funded through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board FAP loan program. The presentation covered work completed, allowances and change‑authorizations, and the project schedule to substantial completion in mid‑2026.

The update matters because the work is intended to improve organic removal and manganese treatment at the plant, addressing recurring discoloration events and regulatory risk. Staff said the design‑builder is Burns & McDonnell and that the city has used internal crews and contract allowances to manage costs.

City staff reported the design‑builder has completed about $16,000,000 of work and the city has paid roughly $14,300,000 to date. City‑provided work (materials, rentals, small‑crew items) totals about $231,000. Staff said owner allowances were originally about $434,000; $350,000 has been used and roughly $83,000 remained at the time of the update. The presentation listed four owner authorizations that have been charged against allowances: material for a decant line (about $236,000), an unforeseen demolition, additional masonry/asbestos abatement, and piping/modification work.

Staff said the contract was originally advertised in August 2023, notice to proceed issued April 1 (year not specified in the presentation), and the current contract completion is scheduled for October 19, 2026; substantial completion was listed as July 27, 2026. Work already installed includes below‑grade piping and concrete for the new green‑sand filtration building; the project will add redundant green‑sand pressure filters to improve manganese removal and a treatment train to reduce organics.

Officials described design‑build and value‑engineering steps that resulted in a net decrease in the contract amendment discussed earlier in the meeting. Staff noted allowances for unexpected items exist within the contract and said they are monitoring allowance balances while pursuing further value engineering where possible.

Finance staff involvement reduced near‑term debt service costs, staff said, noting recent interest handling reduced scheduled monthly payments from an earlier higher amount to a lower monthly payment (figures were provided in the presentation). Staff emphasized that doing the project now reduces future regulatory and cost risk and that waiting could make the work substantially more expensive.

The presentation closed with staff noting the project remains on schedule, contractor safety and workmanship have been satisfactory, and that remaining allowance funding is limited. No new formal council action on the water plant was recorded in the meeting transcript; the item was delivered as a staff update.

Ending: Staff said they will return with required contract approvals or amendments if/when allowances are exhausted or further change orders are needed. The council did not take specific new action on the water plant during this update.