Board approves change orders, hears construction updates and schedules two June hearings

The Hamilton County Drainage Board on May 11 approved two change orders for ongoing construction and accepted multiple construction updates before setting hearings for two reconstruction projects on June 22.

A staff member presented change order number 2 for the Clear Knot (Clear Knot/"Clear and knot") project, describing added tree removal, roughly 10 additional feet of 18‑inch high‑performance pipe at $115 per foot, and extra stone. The staff member stated a change order cost of $45,104.22, recommended approval, and the board approved the change order by voice vote. The staff presentation included contract figures and a revised contract total of $1,485,104.22; the transcript also contains conflicting numeric lines for the change order in one place, which staff will clarify in the official change‑order paperwork.

The board also approved change order number 3 for the Ingram (reconstruction) project, which staff described as a net increase of $52.72 (additional riprap, stone, and deducts for items not required). The motion to approve was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.

In construction updates, staff reported that the Clear Knot project is waiting for water‑main relocations and that Carmel Water Utility has allowed contractor Morphy to perform relocations under time‑and‑materials to accelerate work. Mary Wilson (Oak Park) and Ayer Fingerhut projects were described as substantially complete with punch lists remaining; Hortonville reconstruction will be cancelled and its ARPA funds reallocated to J.S. McCarty Phase 2; West Arcadia Miller arm reconstruction will be canceled and funds redirected; and the contractor United Construction will sequence to Anchorage before Emily Vestal.

Staff also reported negotiations with Meridian Corporate Plaza on an easement; the board authorized pursuing condemnation if negotiations fail. Additionally, staff requested and the board set hearings for June 22 for reconstruction of the J.S. McCarty Phase 2 drain and for the Bridal Carson Drain related to the Estridge development; staff said notices must be sent by May 21 to meet legal notice deadlines for a 52 hearing when off‑site acreage is involved.

The record: the board took voice votes on the change orders, approved the condemnation authority request conditionally, and set the two hearings for June 22. Staff will finalize change‑order paperwork and circulate hearing notices.