Murrieta council approves larger contingency for Glen Arbor Dog Park after construction challenges

The Murrieta City Council on July 15 approved an increase in the construction contingency for the Glen Arbor Dog Park project after staff described unforeseen conditions and multiple change orders.

Brian Crawford, Municipal Services Director, told the council the construction contract had been awarded on March 18, 2025 to Voltaire Engineering for $924,277 with a 15% contingency. He asked the council to increase the approved contingency to 25% to cover ongoing change orders; Crawford said the project has encountered “significant challenges” — including steep slope conditions, expansive soils and gaps in the bid scope and design — that produced change orders totaling $217,555, about 23.5% of the original award. Crawford also praised contractor Peter Delgado of Voltaire Engineering for working with staff to minimize costs and for proceeding at his own risk to avoid schedule delays.

Council members asked whether the work remains on schedule. Crawford said the project is on time and that sidewalks have been poured, much of the park constructed, and parking and landscaping work is underway.

Council member DeForest moved to approve the contingency increase; Council member Holliday seconded. The council’s motion carried unanimously 5–0.

Staff did not provide a single unambiguous consolidated dollar total for the revised contract in the hearing transcript; staff’s presentation included the original contract amount ($924,277), the change orders ($217,555) and the requested contingency increase from 15% to 25%. The city manager and municipal services department will complete final contract reconciliation and notify the council if further adjustments are necessary.