HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.09.2008• •
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
June 9, 2008
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Cole, Hart, Greenwood, Welper.
Members absent: Getty, Steve Schmitt, Reggie Schmitt.
Moved by Welper, seconded by Cole that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Four.
Absent: Getty, Steve Schmitt, Reggie Schmitt. Motion carried.
Doug Schindel of Earth Tech reviewed the history of the Waterloo Dam and Riverwall project.
In January 2003, the Iowa Army Corps of Engineers supplied a report that an inflatable dam was
feasible. The city applied for Vision Iowa funds for the downtown riverfront renaissance project.
The grant included funding of $1.5 million for the Grout Museum and $700,000 for the City of
Cedar Falls for a total of $9.5 million. The grant requires that the project be completed by 2009.
The grant requires maintenance of the project, and they are currently working with Leisure
Services Department on a maintenance program. In July 2005, the Vision Iowa contract was
signed. Preliminary designs for the project were authorized. On February 12, 2007, the city
accepted bids for the project and the following bids were opened:
Peterson Contractors, Inc.
Cramer & Associates
Iowa Bridge & Culvert
$5.5
$6.7
$8.7
Mr. Schindel noted that the change order would have been necessary regardless of which
contractor won the bid. Peterson Contractors, Inc. was given notice to proceed on the project on
April 9, 2007.
Mr. Schindel explained that during the course of installation of the rock anchors through the dam
and into the rock below the dam, the contractor became aware of voids under the dam. The city's
consultant, Stanley's Consultant, and the contractor discussed how to deal with the voids. It was
determined through additional coring under the dam (a couple of holes were drilled 60 feet) that
the rock anchors needed to be increased in length. Along with the additional length of rock
anchors, the type of grout injected into the voids needed to be changed from what was bid along
with the use of different equipment to do the work.
Councilperson Hart stated he has received calls from people who are against the city spending all
this money, and he asked what could we have done differently at the beginning, did we not drill
down far enough the first time, and should we have drilled 60 feet.
Mr. Schindel responded a decision was made as to how many borings we should do, and even if
more borings were done we could still have missed the voids.
Mayor Hurley commented that the city could have spent more money upfront because borings
are expensive. Mayor Hurley noted that there has had other change orders for other projects
because of borings. Mayor Hurley commented that in looking back, you could say we could
have gone deeper and drilled more borings.
Mr. Schindel stated that he feels the city would have had to pay this amount no matter what
because the contractor had quotes from the subcontractor so they would have quoted 50 foot
anchors and the city would have had to pay for the additional borings.
Mr. Schindel reviewed the background of the dam and flood events. Mr. Schindel noted that this
project will not provide flood protection.
Mr. Schindel noted that based on the additional drillings, the city asked the contractor for
additional quotes, and the Judy Company submitted the low quote and that is what is included in
the change order on tonight's council agenda.
Council Work Session
June 9, 2008
Page 2
Mayor Hurley noted that the change order will be paid using the solid waste distributions money.
Councilperson Greenwood asked if there would be additional change orders for the coffee dam
or other areas. Mr. Schindel responded the contractor has indicated they have concerns about
how long they have been in the water so there will be conversations.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Hart that the
meeting be adjourned at 5:16 p.m. Ayes: Four. Absent: Getty, Steve Schmitt, Reggie Schmitt.
Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk
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