Dracup pond exceeds budget

The cost of the first storm water collection pond on Dracup Avenue has exceeded its budget by a significant margin.

"Tulik & Son Trenching & Excavating commenced the project in late July. The progress to date consists of rough landscaping of the storm channel and pond, installation of culverts and bridges and connections to the existing storm water pipe network," detailed a report circulated to the regular meeting of City Council Monday.

The cost for the work through to the week of Dec. 26, 2011 is $1,185,419.

"The outstanding work under this contract includes grading to a landscape finish, placement of top soil, road widening and installation of base and sub-base for the bridges. This outstanding work will be completed in 2012 when weather conditions are favorable," stated the report.

It was estimated the remaining work would be $731,531.

Bullee Consulting Ltd. estimated in early 2011, the construction cost to be $1,170,000.

"The difference between the earlier estimate and the actual and estimated cost is attributed to the quality of the soils experienced in this area. These soils were found to be weak to very weak in their ability to be compacted to the standard required by engineering practices. As a result, soil material was imported to ensure proper compaction along the storm channel. There was also additional granular material utilized under the culverts given the weak condition of these soils. The extent of poor soil conditions was an unknown when the estimate was prepared," detailed the report.

"The soils simply did not compact," said Gord Shaw, Director of Planning & Engineering with the City, adding that resulted in the need of "importing a fair amount of soil from outside the site."

The cost over runs brought up the question of what research was done on the site prior to work being carried out.

Councillor Larry Pearen questioned "why soil samples weren't taken before the project started?"

"There were soil samples taken," said Shaw, adding the results were so varied it was impossible to gauge how the soil might compact.

Coun. Richard Okrainec said on a project of such scale, soil tests should have been from all over the site to determine soil density.

"That really concerns me," he said.

Okrainec was also not impressed with the escalated price.

"This project is hugely over budget," he said, adding he couldn't support the additional costs as presented.

Coun. Chris Wyatt offered a way to reduce the costs, suggesting the $387,000 for landscaping and pathways be put on hold.

The report to Council stated, "The landscaping changes the appearance of the drainage ditch to a more aesthetically pleasing view corridor. This corridor is also part of the pathway network. It will provide a valuable link between the downtown and the residential areas north of Darlington Street. Doing the work all at once is cost effective rather than incrementally. The investment the city makes in this corridor will enhance the value of the adjacent properties and appeal to developers."

But Okrainec said Council has "got to start counting our beans," and determine where money is coming from for projects.

Coun. Ross Fisher said "obviously we have to go ahead with the project," but he too was supportive of delaying the landscaping costs.

Council approved the additional funding without the landscaping costs, with no details as to when that work might be addressed.