Board reviews $231,000 change-order authority for concrete removal on State Line Road; $23,811.78 interim order issued

County wastewater staff told the Board they need a contract change-order authority of up to $231,000 to remove unexpected concrete pavement discovered beneath the southbound lane of State Line Road during construction of the State Line Force Main, and asked that the wastewater general manager be authorized to sign related change orders up to that amount. Aaron Witt said the contractor had to be kept working while the Board considered the request; staff issued an interim change order for $23,811.78 to allow work to continue.

The Nut Graf: The work is part of the State Line Pump Station and force main project that will construct two new pump stations and a common force main to convey flow to the new Tomahawk treatment facility. Witt told the Board the project is already budgeted (Board-approved on Oct. 31, 2024), that remaining contingency of about $2,000,000 can cover the requested authority, and that purchasing policy requires Board approval for any change order or series of related change orders exceeding $150,000 (purchasing policy 110.1505).

Witt explained the need for additional concrete removal cost stems from subsurface materials not identified in the original plans and that the City of Leawood assisted by taking additional core samples along the corridor to clarify the extent of the concrete pavement. He said the contractor provided unit pricing and that final payment will be based on actual measured quantities. Commissioner Brewer and Commissioner Ashcraft asked about delivery methods, contractor experience and testing; Witt said the contractor Rodriguez Mechanical Contractors has worked with the utility before and that the discovery was an unknown condition not evident in as-builts.

Discussion vs. Decision: Staff said no additional project funding beyond the approved project budget is needed; the Board placed the change-order authority item on the consent calendar. Staff will execute change orders up to $231,000 as authorized by the Board when the consent calendar is approved.

Ending: The Board put the change-order authority on consent; staff noted they will manage the change orders per purchasing policy and within the remaining project contingency.