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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 5.I.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 07/13/2026
Agenda Item:
Report on project and change orders 5 & 6 for Capital Improvement Project 11001; Land of Memories Trail.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Motion approving Change Order 6. No action, informational only for Change Order 5.
Summary:
In accordance with Section 2-8 of the Mankato City Code, the City Manager is to report as soon as practicable on change orders approved under $100,000 or up to 5% of construction cost for projects above $2,500,000. For projects less than $2,500,000, Council approval is required for change orders exceeding 10% of construction costs.
11101 – Land of Memories Trail – Change Order 5 (Informational Only)
The Engineer has determined that subsurface soil corrections need to be completed in order to proceed with retaining wall construction. The Engineer has coordinated with a Geotechnical Expert who has recommended a soil correction for a portion of the retaining wall area. The purpose of the soil correction is to create a structurally sound footing to construct the modular block retaining wall upon.
11101 – Land of Memories Trail – Change Order 6 (Council Approval)
The Engineer has determined that the overall weight of the retaining wall backfill material needs to be reduced to achieve an acceptable factor of safety for global stability of the wall. Without an acceptable factor of safety, there is a risk of the retaining wall overturning. The geotechnical expert and Engineer have determined the weight of backfill material can be reduced by methods of a lightweight backfill material.
The Engineer halted retaining wall construction because the results of the geotechnical evaluation were such that construction of the retaining wall could not proceed as designed. The Engineer and Contractor have agreed to an extended substantial and final completion date for the contract. Substantial completion is extended to August 28, 2026 – defined as the complete erection of the block retaining wall, backfill material, and turf establishment adjacent to the retaining wall. Final completion is extended to June 4, 2027 – defined as the construction of the concrete trail and fencing constructed above the retaining wall. The Engineer has determined that construction of the concrete trail and fencing shall be delayed until the 2027 construction season to allow for natural settlement of the retaining wall backfill material to occur over the winter prior to construction of the concrete trail and fencing.
11101 – Land of Memories Trail – Change Order 5 (Informational Only)
The Engineer has determined that subsurface soil corrections need to be completed in order to proceed with retaining wall construction. The Engineer has coordinated with a Geotechnical Expert who has recommended a soil correction for a portion of the retaining wall area. The purpose of the soil correction is to create a structurally sound footing to construct the modular block retaining wall upon.
11101 – Land of Memories Trail – Change Order 6 (Council Approval)
The Engineer has determined that the overall weight of the retaining wall backfill material needs to be reduced to achieve an acceptable factor of safety for global stability of the wall. Without an acceptable factor of safety, there is a risk of the retaining wall overturning. The geotechnical expert and Engineer have determined the weight of backfill material can be reduced by methods of a lightweight backfill material.
The Engineer halted retaining wall construction because the results of the geotechnical evaluation were such that construction of the retaining wall could not proceed as designed. The Engineer and Contractor have agreed to an extended substantial and final completion date for the contract. Substantial completion is extended to August 28, 2026 – defined as the complete erection of the block retaining wall, backfill material, and turf establishment adjacent to the retaining wall. Final completion is extended to June 4, 2027 – defined as the construction of the concrete trail and fencing constructed above the retaining wall. The Engineer has determined that construction of the concrete trail and fencing shall be delayed until the 2027 construction season to allow for natural settlement of the retaining wall backfill material to occur over the winter prior to construction of the concrete trail and fencing.