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Council approves $16.6 million Hess Reservoir improvements and Evergy agreement
Summary
The council approved Amendment No.1 to a Wildcat Construction agreement and an Evergy accommodation agreement that together revise the Hess Reservoir project budget to roughly $16.6 million and fund Evergy work at $250,000; staff said construction should finish in 2027.
Public Works Director Gary Janssen told the City Council that the Hess Reservoir system requires new inter‑reservoir piping, valves and internal baffle walls to improve flow and mixing and reduce the risk of future water‑quality advisories. Preliminary design and progressive design‑build work identified additional scope and costs since the item was initially budgeted.
Janssen said the amendment to the design‑build contract increases the project from an initial contract of just under $12,000,000 to a revised guaranteed maximum price of just under $16,000,000. He noted an additional Evergy agreement—required to temporarily lower transmission conductors during construction—costs $250,000, and staff project costs are estimated at $400,000, for a total revised project budget of $16,600,000.
Janssen told the council the work is necessary to avoid water‑quality problems and help maintain system resilience as the new water treatment plant comes online; he said construction completion is anticipated in 2027. After discussion about funding sources (staff indicated the funding gap is available in existing CIP contingency), the council voted to approve Amendment No. 1 with Wildcat Construction, the Evergy agreement and the revised budgets and resolutions (motion passed 7‑0).
No litigation or additional conditions were announced at the meeting; staff said law reviewed the amendment and agreements as to form.
