Boyne City tables $27,000 marina change order after commissioners demand itemized costs; waiting-list reform discussed

Boyne City commissioners on Tuesday delayed action on a consultant request to increase the Boyne City Marina construction‑administration budget by $27,000, asking staff and the consultant for an itemized accounting before taking a vote.

The request, presented as agenda item 9A, said $14,392.50 of the sum covered value‑engineering and grant‑coordination work completed earlier in the project and the remainder (about $12,675.50) would fund extended construction‑administration tasks including progress meetings, punch‑list development and electrical commissioning. Alyssa (consultant) and Martin (consultant) answered commissioners’ questions remotely and said the additional hours largely reflected extra time spent coordinating value‑engineering options and extended water‑main inspection days that increased subconsultant inspection fees.

“Why are we getting this now?” Commissioner Sandy Pritchard asked, saying the commission had not been provided the detailed backup earlier. Pritchard and others pressed the consultant to provide a line‑item breakdown of hours, the mix of project‑manager vs. engineer time and documentation showing which days were delayed by weather.

Consultant Alyssa said the scope modification had been discussed at progress meetings and that the firm would limit travel and reduce hours where possible. “We are planning to attend the next progress meeting virtually and only charge mileage for a punch‑list visit,” she said.

Commissioner Moody said he was skeptical of a large, late request and asked why electrical commissioning or inspection time was not included in earlier tabulations. Municipal staff and the consultant said that extended inspection time and work related to value‑engineering were not fully anticipated when the original estimates were prepared.

After discussion, the commission voted to table the change‑order request until the next meeting and asked staff and the consultant to deliver an itemized expense sheet that separates work performed during the July–October value‑engineering window from time charged for weather‑related water‑main inspection extensions.

Separately under agenda item 9B, the commission held an extended conversation about the marina’s seasonal slip waiting list. Staff presented a memo showing the marina has 31 total seasonal slips (14 small, 17 large) and that the large‑dock wait list contains 74 applicants, with some top positions dating to 2011. Current policy requires a $30 initial fee and $30 annual renewal for each list and allows applicants to remain on the list after one refusal (they drop to the bottom after a second refusal).

Multiple commissioners said the present system gives long‑term nonresidents effectively permanent control of scarce public slips and urged more public outreach and policy options, including residency preference, time limits on continuous rentals and a lottery or point system. Commissioner Pritchard urged staff to conduct public input sessions over the summer and to set a decision deadline ahead of next year’s reservation mailing.

No policy changes were adopted Tuesday; commissioners asked staff to prepare options, public‑engagement plans and a clear deadline so any reform could be implemented before the next reservation cycle.

What’s next: The marina change‑order request will return with a written, line‑item expense sheet and documentation of weather‑delay impacts. The commission requested public outreach materials and draft policy options on the waiting‑list rules before making a formal decision.