Melinda Park water-line project: council approves time-only change order after easement and coordination delays

The council approved a time-only change order for the Melinda Park Water and Service Line Rehabilitation project to extend the contractor's schedule without adding contract funds.

Charlie Bright, director of engineering, explained that the contract originally was scheduled to finish around the council meeting but that two primary issues delayed completion: complications coordinating required water outages (including school timing and difficulties turning off service connections) and the need to acquire additional backyard easements in an older neighborhood. Bright described additional, unanticipated homeowner issues that slowed progress and noted the contractor provided unbilled assistance, such as moving privately buried pet remains and helping adjust sheds and lines for elderly homeowners.

The council approved the time-only change order so the contractor can finish remaining work without claiming extra time-based damages; staff said the project is moving into cleanup and street restoration phases. Bright said the contractor had been a cooperative partner and that the city is coordinating road rehabilitation after utility work is complete.

Why it matters: utility rehabilitation in older neighborhoods often requires additional easements and close coordination with residents; staff told council the time extension was due to those logistical and coordination factors and that the contractor had gone beyond contract obligations to assist residents.

Source: briefing by Charlie Bright and council action on May 6, 2025.