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Council approves construction contingency for biofilter and solids-hopper improvements
Summary
Council authorized a construction contingency for the water reclamation facility biofilter odor-control and solids-hopper work to allow staff to approve limited change orders without returning to council; utilities staff said the project uses chipped Douglas fir bark media to extend media life.
The Post Falls City Council on Dec. 3 approved a construction contingency for continuing work on the water reclamation facility’s biofilter odor-control and solids-hopper modifications. Utilities manager Craig Morpiel told the council the biofilter media is being replaced and piping is being adjusted to improve airflow; the contractor has placed most of the new media and the team is about halfway through construction.
Morpiel said the city selected a denser chipped Douglas fir bark product to extend service life toward seven years rather than the shorter lifespan of alternative materials. "We found a little bit more dense material based on our consultants' recommendations. It is a Douglas fir that we're using," Morpiel said when asked about the media.
Morpiel asked the council to approve a construction contingency to cover relatively small change orders and unforeseen conditions—such as liner tears encountered during removal—so that project progress would not be delayed by stopping to return to council for every minor repair. Public works director John Beacham told council that in his 10 years the city has not had a project without at least one change order; staff said contingencies can shorten pause-and-return cycles and, in some instances, save money by avoiding project stoppage.
A councilor moved and the council approved the contingency by roll call. Council asked staff to continue using change-order controls and to return to council for significant contract modifications.
