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Council authorizes $484,509 amendment to emergency Digester 1 repair contract
Summary
City staff told the council a failed valve earlier this year damaged Digester 1 at the wastewater treatment plant, prompting emergency contracts. Council authorized a $484,509 amendment to the construction contract so repairs can finish before winter.
City Council on Oct. 28 authorized an amendment to an emergency construction contract to complete repairs on Digester 1 at The Dalles wastewater treatment plant.
Mister Anderson, presenting the item, said a valve failure in February overpressurized the digester and damaged the metal cover. Jacobs Engineering was retained for design ($50,000) and Record Steel and Construction Inc. (RSCI) received an initial emergency construction contract for $200,000. Anderson said removing the cover required additional work and a larger crane; about $100,000 of the original RSCI amount was consumed in that effort and further inspection revealed broken concrete, damaged anchors and bracing that must be replaced. "Itis due to all of those factors combined that there's a need to amend the construction contract with RSCI by adding $484,509 to the original $200,000 contract price," Anderson said.
Anderson described scope changes that include rotating the metal cover so it can be anchored into undamaged concrete, replacing damaged bracing, reconfiguring piping, and recoating the entire cover rather than spot repairs. He said staff is working with the city's insurance carrier to determine whether some costs are reimbursable, and noted the city's wastewater plant construction and debt fund has adequate budget for the work.
Councilors asked whether delaying the work would risk permit violations; Anderson warned the plant would not be able to operate within permit limits through winter and could face fines under DEQ rules. Councilor McLaughlin moved to authorize the amendment; Councilor Long seconded and the motion carried.
The council's authorization increases the RSCI construction contract by $484,509, bringing the total contract amount to $684,509, according to staff. Anderson said crews accelerated the schedule so winter weather would not require additional protective measures.
The council did not request additional follow‑up reporting beyond standard project tracking. The amendment was approved during the meeting; staff will continue coordination with the city's insurance carrier to pursue potential reimbursement.
