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Committee postpones Country Manor sewer/water funding decision to get firm costs
Summary
After learning as‑built utility lines were shorter than the plans showed, the committee postponed a funding decision tied to Country Manor’s sewer and water connections until Aug. 18 so staff and the applicant can produce final excavation costs and a clearer breakdown of allowances.
Brainerd City’s Safety and Public Works Committee voted to postpone action on Country Manor’s request for city assistance with sewer and water connections after staff said field conditions did not match as‑built plans.
Public works staff told the committee that contract drawings showed mains extending to the ends of the street but that actual conditions appear to leave the mains roughly 20–30 feet short of those locations, requiring additional excavation, temporary water service for neighbors and more extensive work than anticipated. Staff said packet totals were near $56,160 before a $5,000 BPU valve credit, bringing the immediate ask to about $51,000; members emphasized those numbers need confirmation.
Committee members split on responsibility. Mr. Chzik urged compromise, suggesting shared costs because the incorrect as‑built information increased project costs for the contractor. Mr. Jagger argued construction carries risk and that builders often bid to documented conditions; he said he found the change‑order request justifiable but urged clearer accounting for allowances.
Scott, representing the contractor, said the allowances were included because excavation depth and hole size cannot be known until crews dig. Anthony Fenstead, CEO of Country Manor, said the organization wants to minimize costs for seniors and asked the committee to help offset necessary work; he emphasized the mid‑August timing for temporary‑water planning and neighbor notification.
After discussion, a motion to hold the request for further detail and return at a future meeting was made and amended: the committee set a return date of Aug. 18 to allow staff and the applicant to complete the work, produce firm cost figures and present an itemized change order. The amendment carried.
Next steps: staff and the applicant will proceed with necessary site work, compile final line‑item costs and present a revised packet to the committee on Aug. 18. The committee asked staff to separate allowances into fixed biddable items where possible and to clarify how the 6% contingency was applied to items such as the $5,000 self‑performed work.
