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Finance committee approves $52,836 contract modification for Christiansen Road after brief, contested exchange
Summary
The committee recommended a $52,836 contract modification for Christiansen Road design work; a committee member voted no after pressing the city engineer for a public explanation of why work was necessary after the project's acceptance and warranty period.
The Cheyenne Finance Committee on March 18 recommended approval of contract modification No. 1 for Christiansen Road design work, authorizing $52,836 for additional engineering services related to lighting upgrades, curb and gutter, drainage improvements and right-of-way planning in advance of annexation.
Tom Cobb, city engineer, said the modification covers additional design work including lighting, curb and gutter, storm sewer inlets and drainage work to address erosion in a cut area. “This includes planning the right of way for future annexation,” Cobb told the committee.
During questions, Committee member Mr. Layborn asked why the modification was coming after project acceptance and after warranty expiration. Cobb declined to answer the question in public and asked to discuss specifics separately. Layborn repeatedly pressed for a public explanation; Cobb replied he would meet separately and said he preferred not to “incriminate professionals” in open session. Layborn said he believed the discussion should be public.
The motion to approve the $52,836 not-to-exceed contract modification was moved by Esquivel and seconded by Roy Ball. The committee recommendation to the City Council passed with two votes in favor and one against; Mr. Moody recorded the lone negative vote on the motion.
Cobb told the committee the contract modification funds will be used up to a planned signal project at Christiansen and U.S. 30, and that the contract that will construct improvements would be separate from the engineering modification being considered.
Clarifying details in the record include the modification amount ($52,836), the stated uses (lighting upgrades, curb and gutter, drainage improvements, right-of-way planning), and that funding comes from the 2017 specific purpose option tax fund. Cobb reported the 2017 specific-purpose-tax fund balance and said some funds would be held for a future signal; the transcript contained an unclear numeric reading of the balance and that amount is not specified here beyond Cobb’s statement that sufficient funds remain.
Votes and next steps: The committee recommended the contract modification for Council consideration; the item will be placed on the upcoming City Council agenda.
