Council approves library construction pay application and change orders, awards landscaping contract amid drive‑up concerns

Cascade City Council on Feb. 3 approved pay application No. 12 and multiple change orders for the new Cascade Public Library project and voted to award the library landscaping contract to Dagwoods Lawn and Landscape.

Council members voted to approve resolution No. 9-25 (pay application No. 12) by roll call; the motion passed unanimously. The council later approved change orders to the Garland Construction contract; the motion to approve the change orders passed with one dissenting vote. Separately, the council approved resolution No. 13-25 to award a landscaping quote for the Cascade Public Library to Dagwoods Lawn and Landscape after reviewing two submitted bids.

Why it matters: the construction project remains active and the change orders reflect additional work tied to utility adjustments and finishing items on the library site. Some council members and other speakers said the library’s intended curbside/drive‑up return configuration is awkward or unusable for certain vehicles, an issue the council left open for further inspection and contractor follow‑up.

Most important facts: resolution No. 9-25 (pay application No. 12) for the Cascade Public Library project was approved by roll call (ayes recorded for Delaney, Weber, Hush and Gale). A later motion to approve change orders to Garland Construction’s contract also passed (motion by Gail; second by Delaney) with Gale, Delaney and Weber voting yes and Hush recorded as the sole nay. The landscaping award (resolution No. 13-25) was approved after council review of two returned bids.

Council discussion and public remarks focused on two topics. First, multiple speakers described problems using the library’s drive‑up book drop: some residents said they could not use the first drop slot without opening their vehicle door; others said they were able to reach the second slot with a partially opened window. The council did not adopt a remedy at the meeting but left the item open so staff and the contractor can follow up. Second, councilmembers discussed a change order tied to alley work and utility adjustments needed after sub-surface utility work; staff said the additional scope arose from utility prep and unforeseen adjustments.

Contractor and volunteer comments: during the landscaping discussion, a contractor identified as Jake (representing one bidder) told the council he had “about 5, 6 ton on hand” of decorative rock and offered to sell it at cost, saying that would “save yourself $900.” Monica Raker, who also spoke during the construction discussion, described attempting to use the drive‑up and said she was “3 and a half feet away” from the dropbox opening in her van and that use required jockeying the vehicle.

Background: the pay application and change orders are part of the city’s ongoing construction contract with Garland Construction for the Cascade Public Library. The landscaping award will fund final site planting and decorative rock at areas immediately adjacent to the new building. Council members said the project carries a two‑year warranty bond; some members described further warranty or punch‑list follow‑up with the contractor for items such as asphalt performance and bollards.

What’s next: staff will continue punch‑list work with Garland Construction and pursue follow up on the drive‑up configuration. The landscaping award will be finalized and the selected vendor will schedule work with city staff and the library team.

Votes at a glance: Pay application No. 12 (resolution No. 9-25) — approved (Delaney: aye; Weber: aye; Hush: aye; Gale: aye). Change orders (resolution No. 10-25 / described in meeting as change orders from Garland Construction) — approved (Gale: aye; Delaney: aye; Weber: aye; Hush: nay). Landscaping award (resolution No. 13-25) — approved (Weber: aye; Hush: aye; Gale: aye; Delaney: aye).