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Council approves $300,000 transfer to cover unexpected police parking-lot repairs
Summary
Council authorized a $300,000 increase to JMS Cement Contractors' contract after crews uncovered unstable clay, corroded utilities and damaged storm drains under the Police Department parking lot. Staff said the fixes represent a long-term stabilization; council approved the transfer from capital reserves.
Seaside City Council on Aug. 7 approved a $300,000 transfer from capital reserves to cover added repairs to the Police Department parking lot, bringing the contract total with JMS Cement Contractors to about $1.448 million.
Public Works Director Thomas Corbin told the council excavation beginning July 17 exposed 650 tons of unsuitable clay and saturated subgrade under the lower parking lot adjacent to City Hall. Geotechnical recommendations required off-hauling the unsuitable material, importing gabion (rock) fill and reconstructing a failed storm-drain system; crews also replaced a corroded gas line. Corbin described the recommended solution as a long-term fix.
The additional work exceeded an on-contract contingency of roughly $100,000; the repair estimate was $312,831 and the contingency shortfall about $212,807. Council approved a $300,000 increase “to leave a cushion” and cover remaining unknowns, and authorized transferring funds from the city’s capital reserve. Finance Director Jessica Riley said the city has an unassigned fund balance of about $317,000 and capital reserves of approximately $2.4 million; using the reserves is allowable.
Councilmembers pressed for details about soil testing, how deep the clay extended and whether the fixes would be permanent. Corbin said the clay layer averaged about 18–24 inches at the exposed locations and that the engineered rock and soil stabilization would create a long-term pavement section. Corbin also said the unsuitable material will go to a landfill rather than a clean-fill site.
Public commenters asked whether soil testing for contaminants had been performed; Corbin said testing had been done and the removed soil is not classified as hazardous in the way Fort Ord or Superfund sites are handled.
Ending: Council voted unanimously to approve the increase and transfer. Staff said they will continue construction and report on completion and cost reconciliation.
