Ventura council retroactively approves $230K in extra Nye Well 8 work

The Ventura City Council on April 14 retroactively approved an additional $230,383 in emergency-construction spending for Ventura River bank repair at Nye Well #8.

That change order to Peter Lapidus Construction, Inc. (purchase order PO-0018214) added $32,510, raising that contract's total to $432,510 with a termination date of June 30, 2026. A separate change order to Tri County Transportation (PO-0018789) added $197,873 for riprap and fill materials, raising that purchase order's total to $347,873 with a termination date of April 30, 2026.

According to the April 14 agenda packet, council retroactively approved both change orders. Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington brought the recommendation, which was approved on consent.

A March 10 meeting had authorized the original Peter Lapidus emergency contract under Charter Section 1006(c), the city's emergency-procurement provision. Council then authorized $360,000 plus up to $40,000 in additional change orders for a $400,000 cap; the April 14 retroactive approval pushes that contract above the $400,000 ceiling.

For the underlying repair, the agenda packet did not explain why the work cost more than originally projected or whether the bank stabilization is now complete.

No further council action on the change orders is currently scheduled.