Westchase board limits pool contractor's change order, approves up to $6,980 for extra labor

The Westchase Community Association Board on Sept. 18 negotiated limits on a contractor change order for the West Park village pool and approved up to $6,980 to cover extra labor related to plaster removal while rejecting a $3,490 charge for demoing tile.

Michiel Oostenbrink, president of the Westchase Community Association, opened the special meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the association office to address concerns about the pool resurfacing project and a contractor change order. Kathleen Reres, an attorney with Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, advised the board on options for negotiating with Pool Patrol.

At 6:54 p.m. the board attempted to reach Pool Patrol representative Ronny Snows by phone; the call was not answered. Director Terry Boyd then moved that the board send Pool Patrol a set of options: remove pre-existing and newly applied tile (including the kiddie pool); remove plaster as necessary to inspect a crack and install torque locks while acknowledging that full plaster removal was not required; demand inspection and repair of hollow spots and delaminations; and reject the change order while offering up to $6,980 to cover extra labor to chip or grind existing plaster to accommodate tile installation. Rick Goldstein seconded the motion, which passed unanimously, 7-0.

Pool Patrol returned the board's call at 7:22 p.m. and described the contractor's rationale for the change order and the condition of the pool; board members held a question-and-answer session that concluded about 7:43 p.m.

Boyd then moved a revised offer to Pool Patrol that the board formally approved: authorize removal of plaster as necessary to inspect the crack and install torque locks without requiring full plaster removal; demand full inspection and repair of hollow spots and delaminations; decline to pay the $3,490 charge for demoing tile while accepting the other portions of the change order; and ask Pool Patrol for a separate quote to install new ladders and to replace pool lights or gaskets. Rick Goldstein seconded; the motion carried, 6-1, with Director Jack Maurer recorded as the sole dissenting vote.

The board called Pool Patrol back to present the revised offer; Pool Patrol accepted the terms and agreed to notify the association once the plaster/marcite at the crack is removed so board members and the project's engineer can inspect the exposed area before any torque locks are installed. The contractor also agreed to provide photos during the removal process.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Nancy Sells, the association secretary, signed the minutes.

Next steps: the board expects Pool Patrol to notify the association and share photos when plaster removal begins so the board and engineer can visually confirm the condition under the plaster prior to installation of torque locks.