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Soledad approves Community Center change order as ARPA and impact fees shifted to cover mold, utility and structural repairs
Summary
Council approved a third change order for the Community Center modernization after contractors uncovered mold, a broken kitchen utility line, wood rot and a grease‑interceptor conflict; the city reallocated ARPA funds and fire impact fees to cover the additional $253,957 change order and authorized related design work.
The City Council voted to approve Change Order No. 3 for the Soledad Community Center modernization after staff described a string of unforeseen construction issues that necessitated additional work and contingency funding.
City Manager Megan and public‑works staff told the council crews uncovered water damage and wall mold behind baseboards, a kitchen sewer utility conflict that requires relocating the grease interceptor, exterior wood rot requiring structural repairs, and a sinkhole in the parking lot that must be repaired. Staff said many of the problems predated the current contract and were revealed only when demolition began. “When you start rehabilitation projects on older structures, you find a lot of surprises,” the city manager said.
What the council approved: Change Order No. 3 (approximately $253,957) for construction work plus additional design and construction management authority for the consultant; the council also accepted staff recommendations to shift federal ARPA funds and a portion of the fire development impact fee balance to cover the increase without tapping the city’s general fund. Staff said the ARPA allocation and available impact‑fee balance together will keep the fire apparatus bay funding intact while funding the Community Center contingency and required remediation.
Budget context: The original construction contract was roughly $749,685. The third change order lifts total project commitments toward about $1.29 million–$1.3 million to date; staff said the project initially estimated at $2.4 million still has components (HVAC, generator, exterior lighting, EV charging) planned for future funding or grant applications.
Next steps: Staff will return with a consolidated, up‑to‑date project budget and an itemized list of remaining phases for council consideration and outside grant pursuit. Council also requested clear, line‑itemed budget reporting so it can help pursue applicable regional and state grant opportunities.
