College Place Council OKs $180,000 contingency boost for Lions Park

Rickard, a city staff member overseeing Lions Park project closeout, told the City Council that the project is nearing completion but requires an additional contingency of about $180,000 to pay for elements added during construction. "We are asking for a contingency increase of $180,000," Rickard said, and he corrected a previously posted figure, saying the project total should be $6,538,000 rather than $6,523,000.

Rickard said the increase reflects added features — including pruning, a concrete pathway in place of asphalt and other changes — and that the budgeted source for the extra dollars is REIT funds, not the city’s current expense account. He summarized the project as ‘‘a huge success’’ and estimated the construction cost increase at roughly 16% over the originally approved construction amount.

Council members asked brief questions; one member noted children still using the playground in November as evidence of public benefit. Council Member Williams moved to increase the Lions Park Improvement Project contingency amount by $180,000 for a total construction amount not to exceed $6,583,000; Council Member Sherman seconded the motion. The council voted by voice and the motion passed.

The record contains two related numerical references: Rickard’s corrected amount of $6,538,000 and the motion’s not-to-exceed figure of $6,583,000. The council approved the motion as presented on the floor (not-to-exceed $6,583,000). The council did not record an itemized roll-call vote in the transcript; the approval was by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will finalize the last pay application and process the contingency increase as the project closes out.