Finance committee approves change order for Appleton Water Treatment Facility generator controls

The Appleton City Finance Committee approved a change order to Fabric Power Systems on Dec. 17 to repair emergency generator control equipment at the Appleton Water Treatment Facility after contractor testing uncovered ungrounded legacy wiring that damaged components.

Director Simpa, who explained the work to the committee, said contractors discovered "remnant original wiring" and that "the grounding wasn't there," and that testing under the contractor's commissioning process damaged large, expensive control equipment. Because the contractor has scheduled large benchmarking equipment and crews, the director said the repairs are time sensitive and require a change order to keep the project on schedule.

Alder Hartstein asked whether the work covered only damaged goods or also corrective actions and where funds would come from. Director Simpa said the city will reallocate carryover funds from a prior chemical systems project—specifically money set aside for bulk hypochlorite tank work—and is not requesting additional appropriation for the change order.

The chair called for a voice vote and the committee approved the change order 5-0. No mover or seconder was named in the transcript; committee members recorded a unanimous voice vote on the motion.

The meeting adjourned after the vote. The committee did not identify any additional information items during the special meeting.