The Council Bluffs City Council approved change order No. 1 to Blackhawk Construction LLC, adding $24,574.99 to the UP Museum contract to complete window and door flashing and trim work identified after construction began.
City staff explained the work was not included in the original contract documents prepared for bidding. A staff member summarized the position: to get the contractor to perform the additional required work the city must execute a change order for work not in the original contract documents or halt the project. The council debated whether HGM, the project manager and contract-document preparer, should share responsibility for the omission.
Councilmembers expressed frustration that contract specifications did not include the flashing/trim items. Some urged the city to demand reimbursement from HGM or to split costs; others warned that stopping work or replacing the contractor midproject could raise costs and delay completion. Staff said there was no evidence yet of additional delay costs and that change-order amounts reflect work that an accurate original bid would have included.
The council approved the resolution authorizing the $24,574.99 change order (resolution 25-1-90) to allow the contractor to finish the museum work, and staff said they would follow up with HGM and report back to council about responsibility and any potential reimbursement.
Ending: Work will proceed under the change order to complete the project; councilmembers requested a report from staff and the city’s engineering services about how the omission occurred and whether the engineering firm bears financial responsibility.