By Kim McDarison
The Fort Atkinson City Council approved an expenditure of $10,090 submitted by Keller, the construction company working on the city’s fire station, for work encountered during completion of Phases 2 and 3 of the project.
Fort Atkinson Fire Chief Daryl Rausch told council Tuesday that the money, requested by the company through submittal of a “change order,” was required to cover unforeseen construction-related changes.
Included within the total was $8,946 to cover the cost within Phase 3 of the project to apply a primer underneath an epoxy floor coating. Rausch told council similar products were used during Phase 1 and 2 of the project.
Other costs included $302 to add an electrical outlet, and $1,875 to relocate two air compressors. Rausch said the units were initially planned for placement on a mezzanine, which was only accessible by a ladder. A new location is accessible by a stairway, he said.
Also included within the change order was a refund from Keller of $1,033. The refund was extended after it was discovered that a hose hoist did not cost the full budgeted amount of $20,000, Rausch noted.
“These changes are somewhat expected and will make the building more functional and efficient,” Rausch said, adding that he believed the change order, labeled No. 7, would be the last to be received by the city in advance of the project’s completion. The fire department is planning an open house at the fire station on Sept. 11, he added.
The full fire station project was budgeted at $5.499 million, according to information suppled by Keller.
Information provided by Keller further stated that costs associated with the project have been discussed with the fire department and an agreement was reached that costs requested through change orders were “outside of the control of Keller or additional city-requested items.”
After submitting change order No. 7, the company stated that the updated contract between Keller and the city is for $5.428 million.
Several council members thanked Rausch for his role in bringing the project to completion under budget.
Council approved Keller’s bid for the fire station project in March of 2020.
According to the fire department’s Facebook page, the full fire station project came in three phases.
Phase 1 included new construction of administrative offices and living quarters.
Phase 2 included demolition of existing administrative and living quarters and replacement with apparatus storage areas.
Phase 3 includes the remodeling and updating of apparatus and equipment storage bays.
Completion dates were anticipated as follow: Phase 1, fall of 2020; Phase 2, spring of 2021, and Phase 3, fall of 2021.
This post has already been read 1239 times!
