City and contractor argue over utility work

A utility project that tied up traffic in North Carson City for months has cost the city an extra $600,000, and city officials claim much of the work is insufficient.

However, Contri Construction officials say there are a few problems that will be fixed on the project and that the city owes them upwards of $900,000.

The $2.3 million utility project included relocation and replacement of sewer, water and reclaimed water lines on College Parkway and Northgate, Emerson and Broadleaf lanes. Work started on the project in February.

City Construction Manager John Benzing said when the utility relocation project was finished, television camera viewing of the sewer system showed water leaking into the system. Benzing said the city "found a fair number of problems." The new systems under College Parkway are fine, he said.

City Engineer Larry Werner wrote in a memo to City Manager John Berkich that "a significant portion of the work is unacceptable and will probably need to be redone."

"This means that the sewer may have to be dug up and relaid for almost the entire lengths of these streets," Werner wrote.

In something of a paper war between Contri Construction and city officials, Ted Contri, owner of Contri Construction, responded that Werner's comments insinuate that "Contri performs substandard work, which is not true, and I am offended by the innuendo."

Contri claims that there is one leaking joint of the 354 joints in the project, and it will be fixed. There are also 12 leaks, six each on Northgate and Emerson, between the new sewer connections and old ones. Contri said those problems may or may not be related to the recent construction, but will be fixed as well. He said the work can be finished without tearing up the streets as Werner charged.

Also, the sewer line on Broadleaf Lane will have to be replaced because the new sewer line has dips, which don't allow the sewage to flow as freely. Contri argues the design of that portion of the sewer line wasn't steep enough.

Werner argues that Contri won't be able to repair the problems on Northgate and Emerson without tearing up the streets again.

"We paid for what's supposed to be in the ground. We paid for a new sewer," he said. "Their solution is unacceptable."

Other problems in the design of the utility project caused the cost increase in the project. In an August Board of Supervisors meeting, Werner said the design was hastily put together and some things weren't "done in detail at the design phase." Supervisors approved an extra $384,000 in August to finish the project. Contri's attorney, Scott Heaton, argued at the meeting that the costs were likely to increase on the entire project to $3.5 million.

"This project was hurried through because of the freeway project coming through the corridor," said Justin Zabel, Contri project manager. "The plans were not complete. Had they had enough time to adequately review the plans, the contract would have been different."

Contri said the city hasn't paid him for about $900,000 worth of change orders on the project. Werner said the city approved the changes, but not the amount to be paid on all but two of the changes. He said Contri hasn't provided appropriate information on the changes. Contri said he repeatedly drops off information that gets "lost."

City supervisors will hear a request Thursday for an extra $58,000 related to the project.

If you go:

What: Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting

When: Thursday, 8:30 a.m.

Where: the Community Center's Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.