Virginia City committee approves construction change orders, personnel actions and moves to seek municipal cannabis license; travel policy and waste fund review

The Virginia City Committee of the Whole on March 4 approved several construction change orders for the new Virginia Public Safety Center, finalized routine agreements and personnel appointments, and directed staff to pursue a municipal cannabis license application while also asking staff to return with more detail on a revised travel policy and the solid‑waste enterprise fund.

The most time‑sensitive agenda item was an update from Sean Lewis, project representative with Cross Anderson, on the Virginia Public Safety Center. Lewis asked the committee to approve eight small change orders and two owner‑added enhancements to the project and said the building remains “within the budget” and is targeting a substantial completion in late July with furniture delivered in August and occupancy in September. He told the committee there is “a little over $768,000 remaining in contingency” to cover the recommended change orders.

Why it matters: The public safety facility is one of the city’s largest active capital projects; approvals of the listed change orders allow on‑site work to continue and set expectations for construction milestones and remaining contingency spending.

What the committee approved and discussed (highlights) - Public Safety Center change orders: Council approved a set of change order requests from Cross Anderson that included minor insulation and hardware work, relocation of a unit heater, heat trace to protect plumbing lines ($5,692.42), electrical work and outlets for welding in a workroom (owner added, $9,771.49), wall panels ($17,495.89) and an owner‑added plume vent system for a fifth apparatus bay ($28,776.32). Lewis said the project has experienced earlier weather delays but is not recommending a contract extension at this time.

- Rotary Park sanitary sewer /…