Columbia council approves construction payments, credits and a police-station heating replacement

Columbia Borough Council on Dec. 23 authorized several construction-related payments and a heating-unit replacement as part of its action agenda.

Council approved payment No. 3 to H & P Construction for Maple Park Phase 1 in the amount of $39,634.26. Staff said final contractor invoices were expected in the coming weeks and that grant closeout documentation must be submitted within 60 days of project close. Council clarified that the bathroom work and electrical contractor payments were separate and that some items remain to be tied up.

On the McGinnis Phase 1 soil remediation project, the council approved contract change order No. 3 — recorded as a $37,510.98 negative change (a credit for deleted or reduced quantities) — and application for payment No. 8 to Iron Eagle Excavating in the amount of $201,140.50. Staff described the change order as a quantities adjustment and told council that the project is largely finished with a few small outstanding items.

Council also authorized replacement of a 26-year-old rooftop heating unit on the police-station side at a cost of $13,772, to be paid from capital funds. Facilities manager Wilson said the unit is not functioning; repair would cost an estimated $8,000 but replacement was recommended because parts are scarce for the older unit and future repairs could exceed the price differential.

All three motions passed by voice vote. Council noted grant closeout deadlines and that engineering and final inspections remain part of the follow-up work.