Who Has the Best Interest of Centerville at Heart?

Council Spurns Engineer's Compensation Request

Louise Edwards The Citizen

At the last Centerville City Council meeting of the year, council members spent considerable time in discussion over a request for $35,000 in additional compensation for construction observation services performed this summer by the city’s consulting engineers, Bonestroo, on Anoka County’s Main Street reconstruction project. Council held a similar discussion at its Sept. 24 meeting and tabled the matter.

City Engineer Mark Statz stated in a letter dated Sept. 16, 2008 that although the total budget for inspection services agreed upon at the beginning of the CSAH 14 project was $55,428, he said that the company provided additional services throughout the summer after city inspectors, who had planned to supplement Bonestroo’s efforts, were unable to assist because of higher-than-expected construction activity related to the hailstorm of May 25. “Our proposal was clear in saying that it was based on a [specific] number of hours per week,” said Statz. “Since our proposal was based on our expectation, and since we were directed to be out there more, I think [our request is] in line.”

“We would have expected them to step up and pick up any slack … because we wouldn’t have wanted the project to go on unsupervised,” agreed Council Member Linda Broussard Vickers. “We overestimated what our staff could do.” “Well, I’m concerned about the communication,” said Council Member Jeff Paar, referring to the delay before council was officially presented with the request in September. A motion to compensate Bonestroo for $21,000—the extra work for this past summer—of the $35,000 requested failed, 3-2. Mayor Capra and Council Member Broussard Vickers both supported the motion.

In reviewing the Council meeting, it is clear that Mr. Statz (City Engineer) working with Bonestroo was requesting additional payment of 12 oversight hours per week times 20 weeks. It was determined by the City that is was necessary to oversee the County on the CSAH 14 project. B-Vickers got out the calculator and determined that 12 hours per week at 20 weeks came to the grand total of $21,600 and not the $35,000 requested. Mr. Statz stated that he would have to look back at the records to see if Bonestroo had worked more than 20 weeks. Mr. Statz was afforded the opportunity to bring in documentation to back the additional work hours, which he declined, stating he wanted to resolve the issue that evening. This motion was not approved and scheduled to be discussed during the 1-7-09 work session which is not taped. For further information, please feel free to contact your City officials.