Board reviews contractor alternates for foundation excavation and site grading; district hears deduct options

During the July 20 meeting, the board reviewed construction proposals including alternate options related to basement foundation removal, slab handling and site grading. Staff said Betteridge Construction submitted a base proposal with an alternate to leave the basement foundation in place (alternate 1) and voluntary deduct options including using crushed aggregate instead of pit run material.

District presenters described alternate 1 as leaving the basement foundation in place while removing basement walls and breaking the slab for drainage, then backfilling and compacting the site. The contractor proposed crushed aggregate as a less-expensive substitute for pit run; both materials would be compacted and tested by a geotechnical engineer (Patriot Engineering) as part of the scope.

Why it matters: the alternates affect near-term cost and future site work. Board members asked whether leaving part of the foundation would limit future development; staff said there is nothing in current plans that would require removing that remaining foundation in the near term. The board approved the deduct alternate and voluntary alternate in the meeting record.

Supporting details: staff said Patriot Engineering will monitor compaction testing and provide reports. Another alternate (alternate number 2) would include excavation and grading to make the site level and to reuse on-site material to reduce import/export of soils. The transcript records the board moving and seconding to accept the deduct alternate and voluntary alternate, and the motion carried.

Discussion vs. decision: the board approved the contractor's deduct alternate and voluntary alternate by voice vote; no final construction contract language or dollar amounts were recorded in the transcript.

Ending: staff said Patriot Engineering will be involved in compaction testing; board votes recorded approval of the alternates.