Council selects engineer for lift station project

During the March 5 session of Clatskanie City Council, City Manager Greg Hinkelman addressed agenda item 2025-06, which is the approval of a contract awarded to Lee Engineering for the Conestoga Lift Station. According to the meeting’s minutes, Hinkelman indicated that the bids came in over budget and that he “was originally going to table the project until next budget.” However, after meeting with Interim Public Works Director Dave True, the two determined they “can’t wait.”

Looking over the design and engineering specs, True and Hinkelman found “the engineering is overkill” for the project. True went on to say the project’s original design is not what came out of engineering consultant Tetra Tech’s office for bids and that the City has been “overbilled for the project.” Noting the budget for engineering was $48,000, True revealed the City has paid $110,000 to date and that he has sought an explanation from Tetra Tech. True was hopeful to “get a credit back for the overdesign and for the misbilling.”

When asked by Councilmember Russell Finney-Leggroan the amount for the invoice from Tetra Tech, True responded, “$64,000.” Despite the consultant claiming it has given the City a credit, True noted the records “don’t reflect a credit.” Concerning legal recourse over the matter, True noted the first step would be to send a letter to Tetra Tech asking the consultant to explain its billing and whether or not a credit was applied. Recognizing the current condition of the lift station creates an urgency to have the funds now, Hinkelman noted the city has “started the fight for a review of invoices.”

Regarding the contract itself, True claimed, after meeting with Tetra Tech, to “have the contract the way we want it” and that he will meet with the contractor to get the money back. Councilmember Amanda Owen eventually made the motion to approve the contract going to Lee Engineering, and Councilmember Bruce Jolma, stating Lee was “the lowest bidder by far,” seconded the motion. Both Hinkelman and Mayor Robert Brajcich concurred with Jolma’s claim, and Brajcich called the matter to a vote. After the motion passed unanimously, Hinkelman thanked council and, according to the meeting’s minutes, “emphasized the importance of getting our infrastructure projects completed before the new sewer treatment plant.”