Some Auburn officials are still trying to figure out why the city is being asked to pay extra for a project to expand the city landfill. And even if the money is approved, similar requests by contractors in the future will likely face added scrutiny.
The change order, a $60,000 request by Barton & Loguidice, is scheduled for a vote Thursday at the Auburn City Council meeting. This will be the third council agenda that includes the item, as the council has tabled the resolution at prior meetings.
Councilor William Graney was outspoken last month about his concern over the money and he said Monday that he is still waiting for some questions to be answered before he decides.
“My thought on it was the original scope of the contract was pretty clear,” Graney said.
The contract covers engineering services for a project to add a new cell to the city landfill. The original contract, approved in 2005, stated the services should cost no more than $486,000.
The added costs stem from permitting issues, according to officials. The firm originally requested more than $85,000, but that sum was negotiated down.
Councilor Matthew Smith said he believes some of the items in the change order are within the scope of the original contract. He said he would like to see more city oversight over these issues.
“We're getting these change orders the week before we're voting on them,” Smith said.
In recent months, members of city staff have endured questioning from council over other requests for change orders. And members of council have recently requested that they be supplied with the original contract and a detailed explanation for every change order request from here on out.
Smith said it is the responsibility of the city officials and staff to hold firms accountable to the original contracts.
“Maybe if we take just a little time and show council is adamantly looking over every change order, it might prompt future contractors or department heads to be a little more skeptical before requesting them.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
Councilor William Graney was outspoken last month about his concern over the money and he said Monday that he is still waiting for some questions to be answered before he decides.
“My thought on it was the original scope of the contract was pretty clear,” Graney said.
The contract covers engineering services for a project to add a new cell to the city landfill. The original contract, approved in 2005, stated the services should cost no more than $486,000.
The added costs stem from permitting issues, according to officials. The firm originally requested more than $85,000, but that sum was negotiated down.
Councilor Matthew Smith said he believes some of the items in the change order are within the scope of the original contract. He said he would like to see more city oversight over these issues.
“We're getting these change orders the week before we're voting on them,” Smith said.
In recent months, members of city staff have endured questioning from council over other requests for change orders. And members of council have recently requested that they be supplied with the original contract and a detailed explanation for every change order request from here on out.
Smith said it is the responsibility of the city officials and staff to hold firms accountable to the original contracts.
“Maybe if we take just a little time and show council is adamantly looking over every change order, it might prompt future contractors or department heads to be a little more skeptical before requesting them.”
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
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stevedallas wrote on Jan 6, 2009 8:08 AM: