TAMRMS#: B06
8.4
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Oakmont Trail - Request for Additional Funds
Presented by: Miranda Rowda, Capital Projects Manager, Engineering Services
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That the budget for capital project 424315 Oakmont Trail Phase 2 (Charter RECR-045) be increased by $360,000 from $2,599,400 to $2,959,400 to be funded from the Capital Reserve.
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SUMMARY
This report provides a brief update to the Oakmont Trail Phase 2 project and a request to increase the budget. As the project has progressed into construction, additional funding is required to complete the intended primary scope.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On December 19, 2023 Council passed the following motion:
AR-23-591
To approve the 2024 Municipal Growth Capital Budget, which included RECR-045 (2,599,400).
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Oakmont Trail Phase 2 project involves construction of a 3.0 m wide multiuse trail designed to accommodate both pedestrian and cycling traffic. The new trail extends from Otter Crescent to Boudreau Road and includes the installation of a pedestrian bridge that will span across an existing drainage channel, construction of new stairs, and boardwalk.
Procurement for the Oakmont Trail Phase 2 project was completed earlier this year, and two contracts have been awarded for construction: one for the pedestrian bridge, and the other for the trail, stairs, and boardwalk. Both contracts have been awarded to the same construction contractor. Construction is underway on both contracts and approximately 20% overall is completed.
Concrete piles for the pedestrian bridge have been installed, with construction of abutments and wing walls scheduled in the coming weeks. Fabrication of the bridge is complete and will be installed once the bridge foundation is completed. The boardwalk and stair components are expected to commence shortly, pending site access and material staging.
During excavation for the trail segments, highly organic materials have been encountered at a greater depth than anticipated based on the original geotechnical investigation for this project. This requires adjustment to the design to include deeper excavation and reinforcement with engineered fill and geotextile to provide subgrade stability and ensure long-term performance and durability of the trail. This has resulted in additional costs for the project.
Some additional costs to the project have also been required for managing active wildlife in the vicinity of the project. This has included monitoring activities and minimizing disruption through installation of fencing in order to comply with regulatory recommendations.
The additional funding request of $360,000 is based on additional costs encountered to date, as well as allowing additional 10% contingency for the remainder of construction.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
If approved, $360,000 would be funded from the Capital Reserve which has sufficient funds.
Compliance & Legal:
Should additional project budget be approved at this time, the City can continue with the planned trail construction without needing to remove or defer project scope.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
Risk for additional unexpected conditions has been considered, and a 10% (based on committed contract values) contingency has been requested as part of this budget request.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
None at this time
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
None at this time
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
ALTERNATIVE 1: Do Nothing.
This option consists of Council not approving this funding request. To manage the contracts within the budget, the current scope would be reduced to fit within the approved funding. The scopes removed would depend on how the project progresses and may include plantings and/or trail surfacing works. Elements of the project that could not be completed would be deferred until funding is made available to complete these.
Financial:
None at this time
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time
Program or Service:
None at this time
Organizational:
Additional administration effort will be required, as deferring project scope will require capacity from City staff to deliver these components at a future date.
Risks
This option would necessitate some project scopes to be deferred until additional funding is available. The risk with this is that the overall cost of completing this work would be higher due to additional administration effort, inefficiencies and inflation. Additionally, there may be a reputational risk with stakeholders should the full scope not proceed as planned.
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Report Date: September 16, 2025
Author(s): Miranda Rowda
Department: Engineering Services
Department Director: Dawny George
Managing Director: Adryan Slaght
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher