Taxpayers on hook for $8,000 renovation mistake

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

High Prairie Mayor John Brodrick is admitting town council made a mistake that cost taxpayers just under $8,000.

The issue arose when asbestos was discovered in the floor tiles during High Prairie Museum renovations this spring. Errors in who prepared the tender for the job led to the problem.

"That's where we dropped the ball and we won't do it again," says Mayor Brodrick.

Town manager Ken Morgan presented the final bill worth $7,861.26 to council at its May 26 meeting. Upon receipt of the bill, Coun. Jeff Burgar asked how council would keep the situation from occurring again.

Coun. Rick Dumont replied that they would be sending employee Brian Martinson to safety courses including those dealing with asbestos safety.

Burgar replied the troubles arose when local contractors wrote the specifications for the museum renovation job and they were just copied by Town staff without any real knowledge what those specifications meant. Also, even though it is a Town owned building, museum board members were acting as the project managers. The result was $8,000.00 for professional asbestos removal and disposal was included in the flooring estimate. Museum represatives knew a potential major problem was there but the Town either missed it or ignored it.

"This really troubles me," says Burgar.

After work started the asbestos issue came to a head Finally, the Town ordered work stopped at the site. Testing occurred that led to the confirmation of asbestos and the problem being fixed.

HSE Services' bill was $1,736.63 while Enviro Test labs on Edmonton billed $234.33. Maximum Analysis of Edmonton billed $795 and Ron Keshen Contracting billed $5,095.30 to handle the situation.

It turned out the asbestos present at the site was not considered dangerous as "trace" dust could be found in the air. Ductwork would be blown out however.

At an earlier council meeting, Burgar told councilors they should not be responsible for paying the bill because contractors either knew about the problem or should have known. As well, $8,000 for removal and disposal was supposed to be included in the original contract. If the Town paid the extra amount they would be, in effect, paying twice for the same job.

Other councillors disagreed with Burgar and agreed to pay the bill. As it turned out, they accepted responsibility for the improper tender and agreed the contractor shouldn't be held responsible.

The bill does not include an estimated two to three days of staff time involved in the situation.

It was suggested that in the future, if trades and contractors are involved in writing specifications, they should be paid for their work as consultants. Also, an effort will be made to send Town staff on more professional upgrading courses, especially dealing with safety.

Burgar says the new Occupational Health and Safety rules, huge fines and potential for prison if a contractor or manager breaks such rules, makes such training mandatory.