Several change orders for fire and police station construction were approved by the Wadena City Council, which has left little money in the contingency fund. Changes to the original plans for renovation and construction of the building have been requested by the architect for items that weren't in the original plans. Examples of change orders included removing and replacing existing water meter and valves, removing and replacing existing mop sink drain to obtain proper slope and function and insulating all walls in an interrogation room.
City Administrator Brad Swenson said $54,100 had been placed in contingency for possible change orders in the project and there is about $11,000 left in the contingency. If the contingency amount is used up, the council will need to figure out where the money comes from, he said.
Councilman Pete Phillips said many of the change orders seemed like foreseeable problems that should have been anticipated.
The architect for the project went by the original specifications for the building and didn't realize the specifications didn't match up with the building, Swenson said. There were issues with the height in the building, he said.
There could be a possibility of recourse and mediation at the end of the project, Swenson said. He has been talking with the city's attorney.
