Oct. 8 -- EAST GRAND FORKS -- The East Grand Forks City Council discussed a change order for a City Hall roof replacement project during its work session Tuesday.

The proposed change order revolves around two issues: already damaged insulation and water damage that the building sustained during the project. When the project was first started, the extent of the damaged insulation under the roof was unknown. There was more than was expected. However, City Hall sustained around $5,500 in

water damage during the project, along with needed repairs to landscaping around the building.

The increased cost of replacing the wet and moldy insulation is around $81,732 but the damage and repairs being covered by the contractors reduce that overage by $34,865.

"We have some punch list items, some repairs that they had to do over at the council chambers and a few other items," said Community Development Director Nancy Ellis. "Hopefully, they'll be done this week because we're hoping to get the concrete replaced next week."

many headaches. The damage was concentrated around the perimeter of the building where the roof and walls meet, as well as the council chamber.

The council did have hesitations about the company, Equity Builders, for the

low cost of its bid when the bids were approved in April.

However, the company did have good references, could be verified with previous work and was by far the lowest bid.

"This is an unusual roof," council member Dale Helms said. "So the references you got, maybe it was just a normal roof that they did and what they did was fine. But when you start getting into this kind of stuff, it's a whole other ballgame."

Many of the repairs have already been done or are in the process of being done with a retainer still being held. The City Hall roof also leaked before the project was done, hence the replacement this year, but the very wet spring and early summer were not in anyone's favor.

"When this is all over, I'm going to take a nice day off. This has not been my favorite project," Ellis said. "Hopefully, we've learned a few lessons from this project and we don't do it on any other projects."

In other news, the council:

* Reviewed proposed changes in economic development lending policies. The biggest changes are the total maximum loan amount being doubled from $150,000 to $300,000 and come as the city

prepares for Economic Development Director Paul Gorte's retirement.

* Reviewed proposed cannabis zoning and regulations. Not much has changed since it was last reviewed in July, but with the council giving the go-ahead,

the actual ordinance process can begin.

* In a special meeting, approved hiring Jadyen Hagl as a truck driver in the public works department.