WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager
Title
CONTRACT LANGUAGE FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Background
Council expressed concern over the City’s contract specifications after the 2016 construction season and asked for a Workshop item to discuss. Two issues that Council raised was the quality of top soil on the Hastings Street project and the heavy rain event that lifted sanitary sewer cover plates in the street and allowed storm water to enter adjacent basements.
The City’s current specifications for top soil are based on Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) standard specifications. The Engineering staff has discussed the materials delivered to our construction sites this last season. On the 91st Avenue project, the top soil delivered was 1% short on organic material and on the Hastings Street project CM Swanson reported that a neighbor found debris in the topsoil. Staff is recommending a modification to our current specifications that will require the addition of compost if native top soil is reused. If top soil is going to be brought to the project from another location, a sample must be approved by the Engineering Department prior to delivery. The imported top soil will be required to meet MNDOT specifications for boulevard top soil which should be more acceptable to adjacent property owners. The specifications will emphasize the need to have the material screened before placement.
The City’s current specifications require the contractor to protect work, property and persons. On the Hastings Street project, the contractor had left the road bed low after removal of the existing pavement and water main construction. The contractor had not yet started to place aggregate material in the street. The sanitary sewer manhole covers had been removed and temporary metal plates covered the manholes. There was a heavy storm that filled the street with water that entered the sanitary sewer system and then entered some of the adjacent basements. To try to prevent another occurrence of this event, the Engineering Department is recommending an addition to our specifications that requires all sanitary sewer manholes be sealed water tight during construction.
Both changes to the specifications may result in additional bid cost, but will have a positive impact to future projects.
Recommendation
The Engineering Department is currently revising the City specifications for the 2017 construction season.