Council approves community center change orders after mold, waterline and electrical work discovered

Soledad’s council voted Nov. 6 to approve additional change orders for the SODAC Community Center modernization project after contractors uncovered mold, wood rot and a missing inverter during demolition and exploratory work. Assistant Engineer Alex Ramos explained crews found conditions not evident in bid documents and described several corrective measures now included in change orders: mold remediation, electrical rewiring for emergency lighting, battery packs to meet Title 24 lighting requirements, new master‑keyed doors and gym/stage lighting upgrades.

Financials and scope: Staff reported multiple change orders have increased the project cost; councilmembers tallied the cumulative additions at roughly $400,000 in follow‑on work and asked staff to provide a clear one‑page summary of funding sources and expenditures (Measure S, ARPA, grants and contract amounts). A separate change order before council covered additional electrical infrastructure in the gym and replacement of emergency exit wiring so emergency lights operate on hot feed circuits.

Council direction: Council supported a master key system, ADA push‑pad upgrades and completing essential electrical and safety corrections. Staff noted some alternative enhancements (decorative crosswalk art, additional lighting upgrades) are being considered separately and the city will seek opportunities to schedule ribbon cutting once work is complete. The council approved Resolution 6173 by voice vote (recorded as 3‑0).

Why it matters: The community center functions as programming space, a cooling center and an emergency shelter; council members emphasized the investments’ value for seniors, community programming and emergency preparedness and asked staff to explain funding sources publicly.