Council approves $45,085 change order for wastewater/water-main project after engineer outlines delays and added work

The Colstrip City Council voted to approve Change Order #1, authorizing an additional payment of $45,085.24 to COP Construction for the 12‑inch replacement water main to Cedar. The vote followed a presentation by KLJ engineer Ryan Walsh, who summarized the added work and the reconciliation of unit‑price items that produced the net change.

"Members of council, my name is Ryan Walsh. I'm with KLJ Engineering, your city contract engineer," Walsh said during his presentation. He told the council the project installed approximately 2,200 feet of pipe and that the final summation adjusts the contract to match actual quantities and to add work directed in the field. Walsh said the change order includes a work‑change directive to add a water service and fire hydrant connection ($9,917), charges for contractor standby time ($48,000) and slowdown time ($12,876), and a small coupler charge; bid‑item quantity adjustments reduced the sum by about $28,402.55, yielding the $45,085.24 net amount.

Council members asked clarifying questions about a backflow/pressure‑reducing valve that failed during the north‑end tie‑in and about parts that had to be special ordered. Walsh explained the valve issue briefly and confirmed the contractor had delivered the special parts to the city. The council also discussed permit and inspector fees related to railroad coordination and delays; city staff said they plan to pursue recovery of some railroad‑related costs.

After the discussion the council moved, seconded and voted to approve the change order. The chair thanked KLJ for the explanation and confirmed the action closed out the project accounting for the water‑main work.