Council approves $19,345.25 change order for 2026 resurfacing project

Public Works Director Paul Sandy told the council that change order No. 1 for improvement 2506 covers two items encountered during the 2026 resurfacing work. During excavation for an upsized storm sewer on Spruce Drive, staff found a 6-inch fire suppression line directly under the storm sewer and installed a 2-inch insulation board to protect it; the transcript lists the cost for that installation as $175.25. Sandy also described variable roadway widths on Delmar Drive that required topsoil shouldering and hydroseed to eliminate a vertical drop at the pavement edge; the change order lists $19,000 for that work.

Sandy said Knife River performed the topsoil work and Doucet Landscaping handled turf restoration; Knife River charged an additional mobilization for bringing a shouldering unit. He told the council the total change order amount is $19,345.25, with the larger $19,000 charged to the construction fund and the small insulation cost attributed to the water fund (the transcript contains a conflicting $170.25 figure in one exchange; that discrepancy is noted and requires staff confirmation). Councilman Yeager questioned why mobilization was nearly 10% and asked about unit pricing for turf establishment; Sandy said turf work has historically been a lump-sum item but staff is moving toward explicit unit prices for seed, fertilizer, topsoil and water in future contracts.

Councilman Chesnick moved to approve the change order and Councilman Yeager seconded; the chair called the voice vote and the motion carried.