El Campo council approves $45,000 amendment for water-plant generator engineering work

The El Campo City Council approved Resolution R2026-33 to amend a professional services agreement with Strand Associates Incorporated for additional engineering work on the water-plant generator project.

City staff explained the amendment covers extra work and meetings associated with extended submittal reviews and other tasks not included in the original contract, adding $45,000 for a new total of $146,000 and extending the project timeline to March 31, 2027. Staff said the extra costs resulted from delays in submittal approvals and that the city has requested a grant extension from the grantor. The staff presentation noted the city is hopeful the hazard-mitigation grant will reimburse approximately 90 percent of the added costs but that final reimbursement depends on receiving the grantor’s final check.

Council members asked whether the schedule extension aligns with related work and whether a "Plan B" exists if grant reimbursement is less than expected. Staff said the utility fund could appropriate the balance if reimbursement falls short and that the contract extension should allow for the final walkthroughs and grant closeout work. After discussion a council member moved to approve Resolution R2026-33; the motion received a second and the council voted to approve the amendment.

The resolution authorizes the city manager to execute the amendment; staff will return to council with final contract documents as required by the procurement process.