Wapsi Trail project contract extended due to delays

With the new Wapsipinicon Trail project close to completion, trail committee members and the project engineer, Todd Happel with Anderson Bogert, are seeking to amend the project contract with the county. 

The project contractor is Boomerang Corp. out of Anamosa. 

During the April 30 Jones County Supervisor meeting, Happel said Boomerang started two months late on the project last year, backing up the entire project, as well as his engineer services. 

“It was a struggle to keep them there and have enough manpower on the job,” he said. 

Due to the issues, the project’s completion date has poured into 2019. 

“We’re $12,000 over contract now with a punch list to complete,” said Happel. 

He and the trail committee asked the board of supervisors to approve a $21,000 contract extension for Happel’s engineer services as he oversees the remainder of the project. The funding will not come from the county, but from money the committee raised. 

“The additional costs were not anticipated because of some changes,” explained committee member Dusty Embree. “We can cover the expenses; let’s just get the project done.” 

Happel said of the work that remains, it’s hard to estimate how long that could take. 

There were 80 working days specified in the contract with Boomerang. Happel said those days ran out before November 2018, when Boomerang asked for a two-week extension, which was granted. 

“They burned out 27 working days before they even started,” he said of the two-month delay. 

Boomerang was assessed $1,000 a day in liquidated damages if they went over their allotted working day. 

“And it’s not completed yet,” said Happel. He said grading, seeding, and wetlands remain. 

“It’s supposed to be done by May 10, but I have my doubts,” added Happel. 

Embree said the issues with the contractor were beyond anyone’s control. 

There is also $30,000 in retainage held back as well. 

“We’re pushing them aggressively,” said Happel.

 In other county business: 

• The board approved filing tax liens for delinquent water/sewer bills on six separate properties in Center Junction, totaling $4,231.54. 

• The board approved filing tax liens for delinquent sewer bills on eight separate properties in Fairview, totaling $2,757.66. 

• The board approved the hiring of Kaci Ginn as a summer intern for Public Health. Jenna Lovaas, Public Health coordinator, said Ginn, from Olin, just completed her first year at the University of Iowa. 

She will work 10 hours a week at $12 an hour, beginning May 13. 

• Supervisor Wayne Manternach gave an update on the mental health region. 

“There’s a lot of chatter about redoing the region,” he said. “Some counties are looking at reforming.” 

Manternach said a couple of counties have expressed interest in joining the East Central MHDS region, of which Jones County is a member. 

In addition, Manternach said the three proposed mental health access centers in the region could be an issue. 

“How will the region come up with the money to fund three centers?” asked Supervisor Joe Oswald. 

“I don’t know how we can find it in our budget,” answered Manternach.