The Piedmont City Council on Aug. 4 approved amendments to the Piedmont Community Pool contracts to add $100,000 for additional special inspections and testing and $229,020 for extended architectural services, and staff said the pools are tiled and the contractor expects to fill them in August.
Public Works Director Daniel Gonzalez and project contractor representatives described the special inspections as required, time-and-materials safety checks (concrete sampling, welding and rebar inspection) that respond to contractors’ means and methods during construction. ELS architecture said construction-administration services had extended beyond earlier estimates and required additional fees to carry through to anticipated completion.
Project team members reported the competition and activity pools have been shotcrete shells and tile-lined; the pools, they said, are ready to be filled pending completion of site fencing, decks, alarms and other items that must be finished before filling. City staff said the contractor plans to fill the pools in August; once filled the pool chemistry and a controlled commissioning period for the all-electric heating/circulation systems will take roughly six to eight weeks.
Council members and residents pressed whether additional cost or schedule overruns remain likely. The geotechnical inspector said he expects to use little or none of the additional $100,000. Architect and construction managers described concentrated recent progress after prolonged underground and sequencing challenges; staff said they are advertising to hire maintenance staff and planning multiyear service contracts for controls, chemical supply and janitorial services once the site is accepted from the contractor.
On motions from Vice Mayor Connor McCarthy (Griffin amendment) and a second motion to approve the ELS amendment, the council voted unanimously to approve both contract amendments. Residents urged speed to restore pool access for fall sports and youth programs; staff cautioned the commissioning period is essential to ensure the innovative all-electric systems function reliably.