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Commission approves $1.415M change order to finish design on critical waterline project
Summary
City staff asked the commission to complete a purchase order for Wilson & Company — approving an additional $1,415,774.75 to finish 100% design and construction management for a critical waterline tied to HUD funding and previous grant support; commissioners pressed for disruption planning for schools, hospital and wastewater.
Truth or Consequences — Commissioners authorized a $1,415,774.75 change order and amended engineering agreement for Wilson & Company to finish design and construction management on a critical waterline project that staff described as part of a larger $17.5M to $20M effort funded in part by HUD and legislative grants.
City Manager Whitehead told the commission the original contract and partial purchase order covered only part of the design work; the HUD application and a Senator Heinrich grant previously secured planning funds but the purchase order had not been completed to cover the full Wilson & Company proposal. Whitehead said the additional $1,415,774.75 will complete the three‑year scope so the city can move into bidding and construction management.
Commissioners asked how the project will avoid disrupting essential services. One commissioner noted the city previously experienced a water break that shut schools and pushed staff to increase coordination; staff said engineers and the contractor will develop mitigation plans, that school maintenance staff are on the city email chain, and that an "Instaval" emergency measure and a $60,000 shovel‑ready contingency are in place to respond quickly to breaks. Whitehead also said roughly $750,000 of the project budget will be reserved for construction rather than immediate design spending.
A motion to approve the change order and engineering amendment was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
