TO: Mayor Colvin and Members of City Council
THRU: N/A
FROM: Lachelle H. Pulliam, City Attorney
DATE: January 26, 2026
RE:Title
Receive Fire Station #4 Construction Defect Assessment Report from ABS
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal I: Safe and Secure Community
Priority I: Ongoing Commitment to a Comprehensive Approach to Community Safety
Executive Summary:
As part of the litigation, the City retained Applied Building Sciences (ABS) to conduct destructive testing on the partially constructed Fire Station #4 after the City terminated its contract with W.B. Brawley due to deficient construction. Mr. Steve Moore of ABS will present the results of the testing, the firm’s final report, and its professional recommendations to City Council.
Background:
In June 2022, the City contracted with W.B. Brawley to construct fire station #4. Brawley did not construct the building according to the architectural plans and specifications. Brawley’s work was insured by surety bonds issued by Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America (Travelers). Travelers failed to honor the bonds, refusing to complete the construction or pay the City to complete the project. The City sued Brawley and Travelers. Because Brawley and Travelers failed to perform under the associated contracts and bonds, the City must complete the project. The City elected to perform destructive testing on the building to confirm deficiencies as identified by the project architect and City staff during construction. The goal of the testing was to determine whether the building was constructed according to the architectural plans and specifications, as well as document the condition of the building for the upcoming legal proceedings.
Issues/Analysis:
The City hired Applied Building Sciences (ABS), an independent engineering firm, to conduct destructive testing and assess the condition of the partially constructed Fire Station #4 after the construction contract was terminated. The purpose of this work was to determine whether the building was constructed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and to document its condition.
The ABS report is being presented directly to City Council to ensure full transparency on this public project, which has generated significant public interest. Council’s role at this stage is to receive the independent findings, ask questions of the consultant, and provide direction on how to move forward.
Budget Impact:
The original contract price was $9M and about half of that has been spent on the project to date, including additional costs related to the breaches of Brawley and Travelers. Projected completion costs as of today are unknown but estimated to exceed $9M.
Options:
1. Receive the ABS report and presentation, ask questions of the consultant, and provide direction to staff regarding next steps based on the findings and recommendations presented.
2. Receive the ABS report and presentation and direct staff to undertake additional analysis or return with alternative options for Council consideration.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Staff recommends that Council receive the ABS report and presentation, ask questions of the consultant, and provide direction to staff regarding next steps based on the findings and recommendations presented.
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