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Council approves $100,682 change order for BIC project after prevailing-wage review
Summary
The Colstrip City Council approved Change Order No. 3 for the Business Innovation Center construction contract with TW Ridley, adding $100,682.24 to the project after staff said the amendment was needed to ensure compliance with EDA and Montana prevailing-wage rules and would not create a net city cost.
The Colstrip City Council voted to approve Change Order No. 3 for the Business Innovation Center (BIC) construction contract with TW Ridley, adding $100,682.24 to the contract. Mayor opened the item and described the change order as necessary to bring the project into compliance with federal and state prevailing-wage requirements; staff told the council the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has reviewed the matter and is comfortable with the proposed approach.
Council discussion focused on whether any back wages were owed to workers and on the mechanics of the pay adjustments. A council member asked explicitly whether any back wages would be required; staff responded that workers had been paid "at the correct amount" and that the change order is intended to align the contract documentation and payments with prevailing-wage rules. City staff said the funding mechanisms for the facility would not be affected and that there would be no net financial obligation to city general revenues.
The motion to approve the change order was made and seconded; the recorded responses during the vote were Council member Dudley: Aye; Council member Kutser: No; Council member Rosander: Aye. The motion passed and staff said they would finalize the paperwork the next morning.
The council also discussed related project administration questions: the mayor noted the issue was flagged by Rosebud County and required coordination among the contractor, architect and state and federal reviewers. Councilors expressed a desire to limit future change orders on the roughly $4 million project but accepted the staff rationale that the matter was complex and needed correction now to keep construction moving.
Next steps: staff will complete the administrative approval and ensure the contractor and architect documentation reflect the wage adjustments and compliance steps agreed to at council. The council did not direct additional study or conditions as part of the approval.
