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Council approves $470,089 change order to replace aging water main in Timberlane Green sewer project
Summary
Beachwood council approved change order No. 1 for Timberlane Green Sanitary Relief Sewer Phase 2 to replace a leaking 1927 water main (estimated $470,089.52), waiving competitive bidding and declaring it urgent; staff said the city applied to Cleveland Water District for potential 100% reimbursement and expects results after Labor Day.
Beachwood officials told the City Council on Aug. 4 that repeated breaks in a water main dating to 1927 were occurring as crews installed the Timberlane Green Sanitary Relief Sewer Phase 2 and recommended replacing the line now rather than paving over a failing main.
Project staff said the water main has leaked multiple times during construction and that continued breaks would jeopardize a newly paved roadway; the requested change order — $470,089.52 — would fund a water‑main replacement and associated service work. Staff said they applied to the Cleveland Water District (CWD) for reimbursement under the Suburban Water Community agreement and submitted the application after missing an earlier deadline; results are expected in early September and the application is competitive.
Council members asked about contingency funds and timing. Finance representatives said transfers from the general fund to the capital projects fund remain available and the city could transfer $500,000 to cover costs while preserving a contingency balance. Staff said the water‑main replacement work itself would take about 60 days and Trimor/Trimore (the contractor on site) would continue with other project tasks while the water work is staged.
Council moved, seconded and voted to authorize change order No. 1, waive competitive bidding and declare the measure urgent. Council members thanked public‑works staff and noted that the completion of the larger five‑year sewer program reduces flooding complaints in affected neighborhoods.
Staff cautioned that CWD reimbursement is not guaranteed; if the district declines funding the city could elect to fund the work from local capital funds or allow CWD to make repairs in the future, which could result in additional patching of the newly paved roadway.
Action: Council approved the change order at the Aug. 4 meeting; staff will notify affected residents, update the project schedule and pursue reimbursement from Cleveland Water District.
