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Murrieta council OKs larger contingency for Glen Arbor dog park after unexpected change orders
Summary
The Murrieta City Council unanimously approved increasing the construction contingency for the Glen Arbor dog park from 15% to 25% after staff described $217,555 in change orders tied to slope, expansive soils and missing design elements; the contractor proceeded at his own risk and staff said the project remains on schedule.
The Murrieta City Council voted unanimously July 15 to increase the construction contingency for the Glen Arbor dog park project from 15% to 25% after staff reported substantial change orders.
Brian Crawford, municipal services director, told the council the construction contract awarded on March 18, 2025, to Voltaire Engineering was $924,277 with a 15% contingency. He said change orders have totaled $217,555 — roughly 23.5% of the original contract — because of a challenging slope, expansive soils, and missing elements in the bid documents. Crawford said the requested change increases the approved contingency level to 25%, described in the staff report as "231,000, $69.25" for the total contingency figure as presented to council.
Crawford said the contractor, Peter Delgado of Voltaire Engineering, has worked with staff to minimize costs and in some cases proceeded without requesting additional compensation. "We are absolutely on time," Crawford told the council, adding the contractor "proceeded with the construction" at his own risk to avoid remobilization delays.
Council members asked whether the added costs had delayed the project and whether the work remains on track. Crawford answered that sidewalks have been poured, most of the park constructed, and the parking lot and landscaping were underway. After brief discussion, Council Member Lisa DeForest moved to approve the increased contingency and Council Member Holliday seconded; the motion carried unanimously, 5-0.
The approval was processed as consent calendar item 12. Council Member Lori Stone recused herself from a different consent item (item 16) due to property proximity; no public protests or objections were recorded on the dog-park contingency during the meeting.
The council did not set a new completion date at the meeting; staff indicated the project is nearing substantial completion and remain available for follow-up questions.
