The joint city–tribal board on Nov. 21 approved payment for the bulk of construction invoices tied to two wastewater-related projects but withheld large retention amounts until outstanding reimbursements and consultant charges can be reconciled.

City staff member Javier told the board the tertiary treatment project’s compiled invoices initially totaled $1,031,442.03 in construction charges and $116,645.80 in soft costs, for a combined $1,148,087.83; he said the tribe’s contractor had been paid and the tribe sought city reimbursement. “For a total reimbursement of $1,148,087.83,” Javier said.

Board discussion focused on the meaning of releasing retention. One member noted that release of retention typically signals project completion and formal acceptance; staff and tribal representatives said the project is complete but that a few invoices might still arrive. To allow final reconciliation, Member Waldo moved to approve invoices 30–35 now and leave the retention (invoice 36) for a later meeting. The board approved the motion, authorizing payment of invoices 30–35 for $894,266.22 and tabling the retention invoice (later cited at $137,175.81) for follow-up.

Separately, the board considered the storm-drain recharge retention-basin contract with contractor Mitch Brown. Staff recommended withholding the retention invoice 14 and paying invoice 13 only. The board approved payment of invoice 13 for $2,962.71 and held invoice 14 ($478,965.20) and related consultant costs pending verification.

Staff flagged additional items that were not yet in the packet — including a Midtown pay application for $15,914.03 and other contractor invoices — and asked for an opportunity to submit them for reimbursement. The board directed staff to compile the full package and return the withheld items to the agenda at a future meeting, with Dec. 5 cited as the next opportunity and Dec. 19 as the next regular meeting where larger follow-up items may be scheduled.

The board recorded the payments and tabling actions as formal motions and approved them by unanimous voice votes (recorded as 4–0–0).