Waukesha Water Utility awards $19.4 million operations center contract, approves inspection and change‑order spending

The Waukesha Water Utility Commission on May 15 approved a $19,400,000 construction contract with Myron for a new Water Utility Operations Center and also authorized several related project expenditures, including $54,000 for staking and inspection services, a $28,760.76 payment to the City of Waukesha for water main offsets tied to an Area 7 flood mitigation project, and a $44,465.56 change order for contract package 33A.

The operations center contract, recommended by utility staff and the project architect, includes selected alternates (an EDPM roof rather than a metal roof, a pond liner using HDPE, additional covered storage bins and a bulk water fill station) and is financed within the utility’s previously approved Public Service Commission (PSC) authorization. Staff said the award and chosen alternates keep the projected total below the PSC‑approved maximum of $25,360,000 and that WIFIA loan proceeds are part of the funding plan.

The commission packet showed nine bidders at the May 6 opening; when base bids plus chosen alternates were tallied Myron became the lowest responsible bidder at $19.4 million. Project staff and the commission described a 576‑day construction schedule in Myron’s bid; staff noted lead times on items such as switchgear and precast panels and said Myron’s timeline reflects current supply projections.

Commissioners also approved a $54,000 payment to Rugert Milke (as part of the City of Waukesha Public Works contract) to cover staking and inspection services for the Gascoyne project; staff said the amount is being split with stormwater and sanitary work and that similar approvals will follow for other projects. The commission ratified a $28,760.76 payment to the city to cover water main offsets and lowering of services needed for the Area 7 flood mitigation work; staff said this payment exceeded the general manager’s approval limit and therefore required commission ratification.

Separately the commission approved Change Order 007 for contract package 33A (the booster pump station and water tower), increasing that contract by $44,465.56 with no added days. Staff said the change order covered additional sampling and materials plus an adjustment to the security allowance to cover doors that were missed on the plans; the utility’s presenters described most change orders on the project as owner‑driven and said the cumulative change orders remain a small percentage of the contract.

Commissioners asked about typical change‑order levels and protections in contracts; staff said the utility tracks change orders closely, consultant engineers review requests, and that state bid rules and contract language limit the amount a contract may be increased before re‑bidding (staff referenced a roughly 15% threshold). Staff also noted they budget for a contingency (presented at about 6% in packet tables) and historically have considered 10–15% a reasonable planning range for larger projects.

Votes at the meeting were unanimous on the items presented. The commission indicated it will present the Myron contract to the Common Council for final action next week, and staff said commissioners will receive additional procurement and contract backup in upcoming informational materials.