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Board awards Horab Springs retaining-wall contract; project cost rise traced to design and site conditions
Summary
The Board of Public Works approved a $488,906 base-bid award to Always Contractors for repairs to retaining walls at Horab Springs, noting an increase over earlier budget estimates due to unanticipated excavation and geogrid requirements; funding will come from PRF carryover funds.
The Waukesha City Board of Public Works on June 19 approved the base-bid award for Horab Springs retaining-wall improvements to Always Contractors for $488,906, and accepted staff explanation that updated construction methods and site conditions increased costs relative to earlier estimates.
Why it matters: The project repair scope changed after spot failures revealed there was no geogrid behind some existing keystone walls; reconstructing the walls with appropriate geogrid and drainage requires deeper excavation. Staff recommended a Ready Rock system used successfully at another park to reduce excavation and labor even though materials are more expensive.
Staff presentation and cost change Staff said the original estimate for the wall dates to 2021 with additional planning in 2022. Recent spot failures and the discovery that geogrid was missing behind the wall increased the required work — including up to 5 to 6 feet of excavation to install geogrid and drain tile — which raised costs.
A staff member said the Ready Rock alternative reduces excavation and labor risk, though materials cost more. The presenter explained that contractors expressed a preference for the Ready Rock approach because it lowers excavation risk near pool foundations and complex slopes.
Funding and budget details Board members asked where the additional $300,000 would come from. Staff and the finance director said the overage would be covered with PRF carryover fund balance. A board member noted that continuing to carry forward borrowed funds carries an arbitrage risk if bonds are not spent in an expected timeframe.
Outcome A motion to award the project to Always Contractors for $488,906 carried. Staff and finance signaled the use of PRF carryover funds to cover the increase and said they had discussed using carryover for accomplishable projects rather than continuing to carry the balance forward.
Ending Staff will proceed with contract administration and work scheduling; the board recorded the award and funding source.
