Sugarcreek Village Council holds special meeting
Sugarcreek Mayor Walt Wilson introduced representatives from W.E. Quicksall and Associates of New Philadelphia to explain the price increase on the preliminary cost estimate for the water treatment plant expansion project during a special meeting held Sept. 12.
Creston Stephen, project engineer for W.E. Quicksall, explained the initial costs were gathered from suppliers in 2023. The village has been approved for ODOD grants for $1,258,220.
“According to the conditions of the funding, the project must be under a construction contract by Dec. 31,” Stephen said.
When Creston was checking the figures for the project, prior to applying for a permit from Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, he discovered an error from one of the suppliers. The cost of the pressure filter tank was not included in the original quote. The original cost from that supplier was $175,000, and the new cost is about $800,000. Due to that error, the village’s share for the project will be $920,018, an increase of $576,438.
“I am responsible for the error, not the engineering company. I made the mistake and acknowledge that,” said Gary Hunkle, regional sales manager of the Roberts Filter Group.
According to Hunkle, he was unable to contact the president of Roberts Filter Group and ask for a discount of some amount to help offset the error. He will get the decision to the engineers, and they will inform the village if a discount will be offered.
Wilson inquired about a timeline so the council can discuss the increase and make a decision. Wilson was told the deadline is now. The permit application must be processed as soon as possible.
Matt Miller of W.E. Quicksall told council the advertisement for bids should be placed by the first or second week of October for a bid opening of the end of October and November selection for the selection of a contractor.
“The village averages 380,000-425,000 gallons of water processed per day. We are at capacity for water treatment, so an expansion is necessary,” village administrator Kevin Kaser said. “There are chemicals used for water treatment and now must be added daily at an increased cost to the village. There is an increased demand on the system, and more growth is expected in the near future.”
Stephan also said there is additional costs in the estimate due to the soil report that indicated more foundation work is necessary for the addition. He doesn’t anticipate any more large increases in costs will be needed.
After a lengthy discussion and looking at the projects planned for the next five years, council voted to move forward with the project and use funding from the general fund.
Solicitor Doug Frautschy was authorized to draw up an ordinance to be considered as an emergency at the council meeting on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. Plans are to open the bids the last week of October.
Council will meet Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at 410 S. Broadway in Sugarcreek.