Onley council approves up to $12,800 to address debris found at public works garage site

Mayor Finney called a special meeting of the Onley Town Council to order at 6:00 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Onley Town Office to address an unexpected construction issue at the Public Works garage site. Vice‑Mayor Bill Ferguson gave the invocation and Councilman Rodney Lang led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Brandon Patterson of JHP Construction told councilors that workers discovered bricks, glass, tires and metal while removing topsoil and approaching the subgrade for the 35'×50' garage. Patterson said crews also uncovered an old concrete footer that extended roughly 14 feet across the building footprint and about 40 feet toward an abandoned roadway, which prevented pouring concrete directly over the area and required undercutting the entire building footprint an additional two feet.

Patterson said he informed Town Manager Susan Rillo when the condition was discovered and provided an initial ballpark quote of about $10,000 to address the added work. "As of today, the cost is at about $10,475.00 but I assure Council that the entire estimate for the work should be no more than $12,800.00," Patterson said. He added that the center drain and toilet drain had been completed and that crews planned to finish water and electrical sub‑outs the following day; the concrete pour with Chaney was scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.

Councilman Brian Corbin pressed Patterson and town staff on why the unexpected material had not been identified earlier and questioned whether bidders should have prepared for such conditions in their bids. Patterson said that had the town known a building previously occupied the site, bids would have included test borings and recommended test holes every 50 square feet on future projects.

Corbin also objected to work continuing before a council meeting to authorize additional spending. "The Council must authorize a $10,000.00 expense and I would like to know who authorized this company to continue working," Corbin said. Town Attorney Carl Bundick agreed with Corbin's position that council authorization is required for such expenditures; councilors discussed setting clearer spending limits and notification protocols.

Clerk/Treasurer Jamye Salazar said she had been out of the office on Thursday for a medical procedure but that Town Manager Susan Rillo contacted the mayor and that the special meeting was advertised on Friday after Salazar returned to work. Resident Billye D. Custis and Salazar both disputed that debris came from the former flower shop, saying that building had been demolished and materials recycled previously; John Dennis said engineering firm GMB had drilled test holes twice and that copies of those reports should be in town files, while Corbin said his reading indicated earlier borings were shallow.

Following discussion, Vice‑Mayor Bill Ferguson moved and Councilman Daniel Bloxom seconded a motion to accept the contractor's estimate not to exceed $12,800 to complete the undercut and associated work. The council approved the motion by roll call vote: Bloxom, Corbin, Ferguson, Lang, Zember were recorded as yes/no as follows — Bloxom yes; Corbin no; Ferguson yes; Hill absent; Lang yes; Zember yes — resulting in the motion passing. Councilman Bloxom requested that council be notified immediately and reconvene if any additional funds are required.

The council adjourned at 6:30 p.m. after a motion by Vice‑Mayor Ferguson and second by Councilman Lang.

Details recorded in the meeting minutes show: the contractor reported a required undercut of two feet of the building footprint, a planned concrete pour with Chaney at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, and that a DEQ inspection had occurred with no reported violations. The council voted to pay up to $12,800 to complete the work; staff were directed to notify council if costs rise further.