Council delays mayor request to hire help on sewage plant

Published 1:30 am Friday, May 4, 2018

Oak Harbor council members want more details about the mayor’s plans to hire a temporary employee who would help coordinate, control costs and close out the city’s $148-million sewage treatment plant project.

Mayor Bob Severns asked the council to authorize him to hire Gary Goltz as a part-time, temporary employee. Goltz was the long-time construction manager for both the Oak Harbor and Coupeville school districts and had a history of bringing projects in under budget.

“The main thing that drove this decision for me was the shock of the cost increases,” Severns said.

Elected leaders have twice been surprised by the escalating costs of the sewage treatment plant, scheduled to come online this fall. Early on, an engineering firm estimated the cost of the project at $78.9 million.

The current estimate is $148 million.

Severns proposes hiring Goltz for $125 per hour for an average of 20 hours a week for six months. That would total at least $65,000 in compensation.

Several council members said they don’t have enough information to make a decision on the hiring.

Councilwoman Tara Hizon pointed out that the proposal was added to the agenda late and the council had limited time to look over the proposed contract. She also bemoaned the lack of detail in the contract and questioned what Goltz would actually do.

“I’m really uncomfortable when things are rushed through like this,” she said, “and I’m not sure what the emergency is.”

Councilman Bill Larsen echoed her comments.

“I would like to see something fleshed out a little bit more.” he said, “as to exactly what are we expecting, what are we asking for, what are going to be the measurable and quantifiable products that we are going to be receiving.”

Severns said Goltz would assist in getting more direct and better communication between him, those involved in the project and the council. He said Goltz has negotiating experience that the city’s people don’t have.

The mayor pointed out that Councilman Rick Almberg asked city staff for a closing schedule on the project.

“I don’t think we’ve gotten any answer to that,” he said, “and I think Mr. Goltz can help with that process.”

Goltz has managed more than 60 construction projects in his career, the mayor said. Severns said he comes highly recommended by school officials.

Goltz said his biggest project was the $115-million high school renovation. He said the project came in on time and under budget. The extra money, he said, was used to transform the old shop building into a state-of-the-art maintenance building.

Goltz said he believes he could find ways to cut costs. Things like vetting change order proposals, he said, will result in savings.

“I do feel there will be ample opportunities to demonstrate savings on this project,” he said.

The council, however, decided they wanted to know more before they would approve the contract with Goltz. Councilman Joel Servatius said he would like to see a job description and a resume.

“That’s just kind of the bare minimum,” he said. “We would expect that of anyone we are hiring, especially with this dollar amount attached to it.”

Hizon made a motion to delay the decision until the May 15 council meeting.

Almberg made a friendly amendment, adding that the mayor should provide “a job description, job organization protocol, reviewable and measurable goals.” He said there should be a focus on allowances and contingencies as well as the close-out process.

The motion and amendment passed unanimously. Councilwoman Erica Wasinger was absent.

After the vote, Severns said he would have to talk to Goltz to see if he’s still “in the game.”