An Oak Harbor surveying firm that did work on SE Pioneer Way has had its contract limit increased by 27 percent.

At the city council’s meeting Nov. 1, it agreed to raise the total payable to Fakkema & Kingma from a previously approved $103,178 to $130,808. That is an increase of $27,630.

The contract change was largely the result of Native American remains discovered on Pioneer Way this past June.

The company had to re-stake some areas and survey archaeological grid pins to establish the proper depth required to build the street between Ilwaco and Ireland, according to the agenda bill before the city council.

Finally, the firm did extra work not included in the scope of the original contract, from surveying storefront elevations to the future locations of art pieces to be installed along Pioneer Way.

Although Oak Harbor project manager Larry Cort told council members that city staff are investigating whether or not some or all of the re-staking work should be covered by the city’s project management firm, KBA, he recommended the city cover the cost until it’s sorted out.

“There is no doubt Fakkema & Kingma did this work and they did it well,” Cort said.

The city council approved the contract increase unanimously.