Council approves after‑the‑fact $292,741 addendum for Plant 2 outfall predesign work

The Coos Bay City Council on July 1 approved an after‑the‑fact addendum to Jacobs’ predesign contract for the Plant 2 outfall replacement project totaling $292,741. Public Works staff reported the city began three major wastewater capital projects in 2024 funded from wastewater revenues: Pump Station 6, Pump Station 9 and Plant 2 outfall replacement. Midway through construction of Pump Stations 6 and 9, a wet well failure in Pump Station 6 led to a major change order that pushed staff to pause final design work on the Plant 2 outfall project. Jacobs, the city’s engineer for Plant 2 outfall predesign, recommended proceeding with geotechnical work and an underwater survey while permitting remained current because the permitting could lapse before funding and design resumed. Staff authorized the work. The video inspection of the Plant 2 outfall performed in 2023 had shown “major deficiencies with the outfall,” staff said during the meeting. During the city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit renewal process with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), DEQ raised concerns and initially did not accept the existing mixing zone study. DEQ’s conservative assumptions in the draft renewal threatened more stringent effluent limits and a compliance schedule that could raise operational costs. After performing the underwater survey, geotechnical analysis, and a new mixing zone study and meeting with DEQ, staff said DEQ ultimately approved the updated study and the draft permit’s proposed increased effluent limits were removed. The original predesign contract was about $740,000 and was 31% expended when work paused. The addendum covers $211,000 for geotechnical work and the underwater survey plus $81,000 for the mixing zone analysis and DEQ support, for a total of $292,741. Staff described the approval as "after the fact" because the work was performed before the council approved the addendum; staff said the expense was anticipated and included in the current fiscal year’s budget. Staff said the repaired Plant 2 outfall is functioning for now but the replacement project remains on hold pending funding; Charleston Sanitary District’s proportionate share of cost for this work was stated as approximately 25%. The council moved, seconded and approved the addendum by voice vote.