Council approves final change order and closeout for Johnson Woods sewer and drainage project

The Paris City Council approved a final change order of $57,955.54 and authorized final payment of $79,899.31 to RBIS LLC, closing out the Johnson Woods Sewer and Drainage Improvements contract and accepting the work.

Miss Easton, the project presenter, said the project replaced sanitary sewer between Lamar Avenue and Clark Lane and included drainage and erosion control work in Johnson Woods Creek. RBIS was awarded the contract in April 2019 and the original contract was just under $1.5 million with a $1.6 million not‑to‑exceed. Easton said unforeseen existing conditions required additional sewer linear footage, two added manholes and an extended gabion wall to prevent erosion; those overruns produced the final reconciliation change order of $57,955.54 and a final contract amount of $1,597,986.14.

Councilmembers questioned why a prior $40,000 change order was administratively approved rather than brought to council as required by policy; a staff member said the previous city manager directed that approach and acknowledged it appeared to have been a policy violation. Council clarified that funds were available from the 2016 bond issuance (the project was initially part of the 2013 bond program but the balance was issued in 2016) and asked about final inspections. Easton said final inspections were completed in December with a follow‑up in January and staff will hold $5,000 until spring to confirm grass establishment in the restored channel.

A councilmember moved to accept the additional overrun and close out the project; the motion was seconded and the chair called the vote in favor. The council approved final payment and project acceptance.

Next steps: staff will finalize contract closeout paperwork and retain the $5,000 hold until spring follow‑up.