The Capital Outlay Committee on Oct. 2 approved a series of change orders for the county animal shelter project and voted to have the county directly purchase a larger awning rather than having the contractor supply it. The committee also authorized signatures to finalize previously approved change orders.

Committee members said the shelter construction is progressing and that a recently discovered septic tank required earlier emergency work. “It was crazy, 10 foot deep,” one committee member said when describing the excavation made in the park lot area. The committee approved formal documentation for that work during the meeting.

Why it matters: The actions clear construction hurdles and authorize spending adjustments that allow the shelter contractor to proceed with slab pours and site work. Approving the awning purchase outside the prime contractor’s scope is expected to lower costs by avoiding contractor markups.

The committee recorded the contract price at $2,022,920 after change orders 1, 2 and 6. A separate approved credit for substituting galvalume roof panels for a painted finish (change order 3) reduces the contract price by $7,000 to $2,015,920. The committee voted to approve change order 4, a $9,520 increase to add two hose bibs, relocate one hose bib, and install a floor drain and catch basin in a new canopy area; the contractor’s breakdown put roughly $6,500 to the water work and about $2,000 to the drain work.

Committee discussion noted operational reasons for the drain and hose bibs: staff need to hose animals outside to avoid bringing parvovirus inside, and the surface drain will tie into the existing sewer system. The contract documents include design-sheet revisions that show the locations of the new hydrants and relocated bibs.

The committee also approved change order 7, a credit of $4,700 to remove a small side canopy shown on the plans. Members discussed three independent quotes for a new, larger aluminum awning. Estimates presented were roughly $26,000, $27,500 and $17,800; the committee chose the low quote from Gary Gannon’s Home Improvement Services and directed the county to purchase and coordinate the awning directly rather than routing the purchase through Romac (the prime contractor), to avoid added overhead and profit charges.

The committee instructed staff to obtain final signatures, including the mayor’s signature where required, to formalize the approved change orders and contract-price adjustments. All motions recorded in the meeting were approved by voice vote with no opposition noted.

The committee also reviewed site progress: sewer installed beneath the slab, inspections underway to clear for slab pours, exterior sheeting largely complete and interior framing progressing. Committee members emphasized not delaying slab pours and said they were satisfied with progress.

The meeting concluded with staff noting they would finalize paperwork and coordinate procurement and installation of the awning with the selected contractor.