Chester council probes change orders, contamination and consultant costs on Public Works Building project
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Summary
Council questioned multiple change orders for the Public Works Building, including removal of contaminated soil (manganese) and a $9,886 change order increasing Davis Construction’s contract; staff said Colliers identified contaminants but the city ratified MG Engineering for oversight because of cost and timing concerns.
During the Nov. 10 deliberative meeting, Council and Controller Joy Taylor pressed city staff about recent change orders and consultant engagements tied to the Public Works Building project.
Staff explained two discrete change orders: the first addressed removal of spoiled soil and underground storage tanks (including an isolated area with elevated manganese), and a second change order (Resolution 129) increased the Davis Construction contract by $9,886 to a new total of $4,918,253 to combine construction trailers into a larger unit. “The first one was for the removal of some spoiled soil and the removal of the underground storage tanks,” staff said; the second “was for combining into a larger trailer,” which altered site logistics.
Controller Joy Taylor and other councilmembers asked why the city was ratifying an engagement with MG Engineering Associates LLC (Resolution 128) for environmental consulting when Colliers had been the original engineer on the project. Staff said Colliers will remain involved—reviewing submittals and signing payment certificates because they prepared the bid specifications—but MG Engineering was engaged specifically to provide oversight related to change order work because their proposal was substantially less expensive and the work had to be done before the meeting. “Colliers would be more than capable, but at this particular point... I looked at another proposal, which was significantly less,” staff said.
Council members voiced concern about potential duplication of services and cost oversight; one councilmember urged review of a responsible contracting ordinance given the number of change orders. Staff acknowledged the project will likely require additional change orders as excavation reveals unknowns under the site and emphasized efforts to control costs. All items were on the meeting agenda; the transcript does not record final votes or approvals during the Nov. 10 session.
