Council hears change order for 200 & Eleventh Place water-main relocation; archaeological finds delay paving

City staff described Change Order No. 2 on the 200 and Eleventh Place improvement project as a modification to a planned water-main relocation and explained the work was done to keep the contractor on schedule while utilities and poles were relocated.

Jim Kelly, city staff, told the council the change order covers moving the water main “away from the PUD poles that were not relocated yet” and repositioning the water main farther from sanitary sewers so the force main could be moved into the street. Kelly said the additional work allowed the contractor to remain productive and avoid standby charges: “we had to keep the contractor busy so, otherwise we would have just been charged with a delay of you know delay of work.”

Heather Logan, council member, questioned whether the change order reflected unforeseen conditions in the original scope; Kelly explained the relocation was partly coordinated with delayed pole resetting by the PUD and was needed to preserve schedule and avoid paying for idle crews. Kelly estimated the project will be completed in June.

Kelly also reported project phase status: Phase 1 is complete from SR 530 to Ronning Road; Phase 2 is between Ronning Road and 60 Seventh Drive. He said Phase 3 was to start during the week of the meeting but was delayed after crews discovered archaeological artifacts, specifically arrowheads, that required consultation with the tribal scribe and state authorities. Kelly said staff are meeting with the scribe and the state and do not anticipate a violation or fine because the city has been responsive to concerns.

No formal motion or vote on Change Order No. 2 is recorded in the transcript excerpt. The matter was presented during the workshop and discussed between Kelly and council members with questions and clarifications recorded.