Adopt Resolution #23-246 Approving Change Order No. 4 for Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 Widening Improvements

During construction of the 2023 Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 Widening Improvements, the contractor proposed substituting 8-inch and 10-inch PVC C900 watermain in lieu of the 8-inch and 10-inch ductile iron pipe (DIP) watermain included in the plans and specifications as bid on by the awarded contractor, North Pine Aggregate.  This material substitution was strictly proposed as a cost savings measure, which City staff supported and approved in order to allow the contractor to order the material in time to install it without delaying the project.     
 

Staff strives to present Change Orders to the City Council before the proposed work is completed.  However, from time to time Staff approves Change Orders without prior Council approval, such as when a significant cost savings can be realized without sacrificing quality and there isn't time to obtain Council approval first, when there is an emergency situation that must be addressed, or when work needs to be done to avoid costly project delays. In such instances, Staff strives to present the Change Order to Council for their after-the-fact approval in as timely a manner as possible.    

Up until roughly 10 years ago, the City only allowed DIP watermain to be used for our water supply system.  The City then gradually started allowing PVC C900 pipe tp be used for watermain in green spaces.  And in recent years, that City has allowed PVC C900 watermain to be installed under streets.  Some other cities have been using PVC C900 watermain for decades and based on the results to date staff is now confident that PVC C900 watermain is as durable as DIP watermain when properly installed.  In addition, manufacturers are now selling better fittings and saddles that  better accommodate connections of service lines and other pipe materials to PVC C900 pipe, which had been an issue in the past.   

Executing Change Order No. 4 saved the City $76,050.00.      

Staff recommends adopting Resolution #23-246 approving Change Order No. 4 for the Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 Widening Improvements.  

Adopt Resolution #23-246 approving Change Order No. 4 for the Ramsey Gateway Highway 10 Widening Improvements.