Independence dam payment issue resolved

The city of Independence’s dispute with a contractor over incomplete repairs done on the dam at Bugle Lake was finally resolved with the approval of a reduced final payment.

The issue stemmed from work done by contractor Wapasha Construction Co. under project engineer Davy Engineering. Repairs on the upstream side of the dam were not done as far down as expected due to the contractor being unaware of a bottom section of flashboards that were still in place and unable to be removed once sandbags put in to stem the flow of water during the project failed.

The council had previously tabled a pay request of $112,940 (reduced from the $153,500 that the original bid was awarded for) at their November meeting due to dissatisfaction with the incomplete dam repair work and a desire for more answers from the contractor.

After discussions with city officials, Wapasha and Davy agreed to a negotiated total of $75,000, which was approved unanimously by the council last Monday.

Mayor Tom Kloss extended his gratitude to Wapasha and Davy for making “a really good conscious effort to make it right with the city.”

“I guess I really can appreciate Davy Engineering and Wapasha contractors for understanding that the city of Independence was not happy,” Kloss said. “I do believe there was services rendered and I believe we are paying for what we got now.”