Council ratifies change orders, authorizes slip‑lining contract for Liberty Grove sewer emergency; project ahead of schedule

Christophe Bauer (speaker 26) updated council on the Liberty Grove Sewer Line Replacement emergency project and requested ratification of change orders to Circle H Contractors (approximately $361,599.01) and authority to enter a contract with Vortex for slip‑lining and related Phase 2 work not to exceed $643,510. Bauer said the original broad estimate of $10–$14 million has been refined and the updated total is approximately $6.1 million due to a mix of replacement, slip‑lining and in‑house pavement work.

Bauer explained the technical approach: a limited replacement of roughly 100 linear feet where a break occurred, installation of a new manhole and then slip‑lining the remainder (a pipe‑in‑pipe technique that can extend service life 40–50 years). City crews took on additional paving and overlay work, generating a credit in the contract and accelerating timelines. Bauer said intersections at Chiesa/Homestead/Liberty Grove should be reopened in the coming days and the full project is expected to be substantially complete by the end of September, a month ahead of prior expectations.

Council thanked public works crews and contractors. A motion to ratify the change orders and authorize the Vortex contract was approved unanimously.