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Council ratifies $82,684 change order for Ruggles block wall after council and public criticism over oversight
Summary
Council ratified a $82,683.73 amendment for the T‑117 public works block wall project after staff said poor soil conditions and additional site needs required deeper footings, extra materials and equipment. Several council members and residents raised concerns about after‑the‑fact approvals and project supervision.
The Town of Florence Town Council on Jan. 21 ratified Amendment No. 1 to the Signature Projects contract for the T‑117 public works block wall project in the amount of $82,683.73, a measure staff said was required after unforeseen site conditions were discovered during construction.
Public comment and several council members during the meeting criticized the timing and oversight of the project. Staff explained the change order covers deeper footings and additional concrete and rebar after encountering worse soil than anticipated, two extra courses of block to meet aesthetic expectations, and an added RFID reader and motorized gate requested to support utility and emergency access. Public commenters and three council members said the project exceeded earlier cost expectations and that council should be notified prior to expenditures that would exceed manager authorization.
Staff response and next steps Town staff and the town manager said they have directed department heads to adhere to council authorization thresholds and to return to council for ratification whenever approved manager expenditures exceed the council’s authorization. Staff said the block‑wall work is near completion and the remaining task is final implementation of the RFID/MyQ access system; staff estimated completion and activation within weeks once a commercial account is configured.
Why it matters Council expressed frustration that the wall demolition or work began before council approved the final dollar amount and asked for clearer internal controls and earlier notice on scope changes that could push projects above previously approved amounts. Multiple council members said the scale of recent wall projects and related costs had attracted public attention, and they asked staff to follow policy going forward.
Context and amounts - Ratified Amendment No. 1: $82,683.73 (additional footing, concrete, rebar, two additional courses of block, and RFID access system components). - Council discussion referenced previous wall projects and earlier approvals that cumulatively represented larger capital spending; several council members asked for stronger pre‑approval processes and clearer explanations of why the additional work could not wait for council review.
Ending The council approved ratification by voice vote. Staff committed to strengthening notification procedures when project costs approach or exceed council authorization limits and to returning future change orders for council approval before expenditure where practicable.
