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Pella council raises change‑order authority as recreation center construction stays on track
Summary
The Pella City Council unanimously approved a resolution to double the administrative change‑order committee's aggregate authorization for the indoor recreation aquatic center from $100,000 to $200,000. Staff said the project remains roughly on schedule, with substantial completion targeted for March 2027.
The Pella City Council on Monday unanimously approved Resolution 6947 to increase the administrative change‑order committee's aggregate authorization for the indoor recreation aquatic center project from $100,000 to $200,000.
City staff presented a progress update on the project: “The goal is to have the project substantial completion in March of 2027 and finished in July of 2027,” said Bob, a project representative. He told the council most footings and underground utilities are in place, steel delivery is expected and framing could begin the week of Nov. 10. Bob said the architect has processed roughly 375 of an estimated 425 submittals and that the work should allow key areas of the building to be closed in for winter work.
The presentation also described change‑order practice on the project. Bob said staff have consolidated 19 individual modifications into 10 change orders so far, with the combined value of the modifications about $87,000. Under the existing policy the project management committee (the city administrator, Council Member Butler and the project lead) could approve individual changes up to $20,000 with an aggregate cap of $100,000. Staff recommended and council approved increasing that aggregate cap to $200,000 to reduce meeting delays for low‑value items that arise during construction.
Mike, a city staff presenter, told council that the city budgeted a 3% contingency for the project and that, even after previously authorized change orders, the project remains within the budgeted contingency. He said the additional committee authority would allow staff to respond quickly to issues that require fast remediation, such as pockets of poor soil encountered during excavation.
The council voted to approve the resolution without discussion. Staff indicated they will continue to report change‑order activity to council and expect fewer, smaller changes as shop drawing reviews conclude.
The resolution passed unanimously; the project team will continue to monitor weather and materials deliveries as the work moves into the framing phase.
