Board approves nearly $99,407 in concrete change orders for Titan Hill and Lewis Central High School

The Lewis Central Community School District Board of Directors on June 30 approved change orders with Mackie Construction totaling $99,406.99 to add concrete and related site work at Titan Hill and Lewis Central High School.

Staff said the Titan Hill work includes finishing an island at the bus drop-off, replacing ADA walk panels and completing a sidewalk that will connect to the pool entrance and a loading gate; the high-school work includes a sidewalk between the main and secondary parking lots and a walk-in gate to provide controlled community access. The Titan Hill quote shown to the board listed $54,070.76 for that site; the combined change orders for both locations were approved as presented.

Board discussion centered on safety, timing and cost. Several directors noted trip hazards and high pedestrian use at the bus-dropoff sidewalk; others warned that adding the work now would trigger additional mobilization fees because the contractor had already demobilized. One director said they would oppose approving the work now because they preferred to hold funds for upcoming larger projects and to avoid repeated mobilization costs. Director Sturm cast the sole recorded no vote on the motion; the measure otherwise passed by roll-call vote.

Staff told the board they are about $3.1 million under budget across projects, which gives the district latitude to add work now while the contractor can schedule it. Staff also said the contractor honored prices from the original bid for the added work but will charge mobilization fees because crews and equipment must be brought back to site for the change order work. Staff offered to seek separate change orders later for additional curb replacement if the board preferred to phase the work; staff also said they can approve change orders under $20,000 without returning to the board.

The work will include replacement of specified ADA panels and localized sidewalk sections; staff noted longer-term curbing repairs and full-curve replacements could be considered as smaller maintenance projects or as part of future capital projects. The board approved the change orders as item 6.02.