Commission approves CM/GC exemption to speed wastewater plant procurement

The Warrenton City Commission voted to approve draft findings authorizing use of the Construction Manager/General Contractor alternative contracting method (CM/GC) for the city's wastewater system improvements project. Staff framed the CM/GC exemption as limited to the wastewater project and intended to promote competition while allowing earlier contractor input to control escalating costs.

City staff said the project is a specialized public improvement with construction costs “over $30,000,000” and that the CM/GC approach would allow the city and contractor to pursue contractor-led value engineering and accelerated timelines. Staff cited ORS 279.335(2)(b) as the statutory basis for the exemption. After a short public comment period with no registered in-person or Zoom speakers, the motion to approve the findings and authorize CM/GC procurement passed unanimously.

Commissioners asked technical questions about how the selection process would be advertised and the steps staff and consultants would take to ensure a competitive pool. The city manager said the city will advertise in the Daily Journal of Commerce, post on the city website and online plan centers, and that consultant Kennedy/Jenks will assist with the procurement documents.