NORMAL - A problem with the footings in the early construction stages of the Marriott Hotel is costing the town an additional $1 million and developer John Q. Hammons more than $2 million. | Archived Video: Inside the Marriott project

The City Council voted Monday to use uptown bond money for the town's share. In other business it also approved expansion plans for Sugar Creek Elementary School and raised fees for Children's Discovery Museum and Ironwood Golf Course.

The additional cost for the hotel footing work at the uptown hotel is not unexpected. Uptown Development Director Wayne Aldrich previously estimated the work would cost an additional $808,414.

That amount already is in the budget. There also is $182,997 in an unused contingency fund for site demolition that can be put toward the project, requiring only a $41,961 budget adjustment.

There also were other unexpected costs related to the entire project, resulting in a total additional cost to the town so far of $1,033,372.

"I don't see any other alternative than to approve this," said council member Adam Nielsen.

His comment came after City Manager Mark Petersen said the town was obligated contractually and there no doubt would be legal action by the developer if the town did not pay.

The concrete support piers originally constructed for the hotel failed pressure tests, delaying the project and forcing developers to look for alternative methods. In July 2007, work began on "end-bearing" footings where holes are drilled up to 70 feet deep and then filled with concrete. The holes are wider at the bottom than the top.

While that work was being done, old foundations were found underground and had to be removed, adding to the cost of the project.

The council also unanimously approved an amended site plan for the school at 200 N. Towanda Ave. An addition expected to open in 2010 will double its capacity from 300 to 600 students.

Months of planning and revisions went into making room on the site for parents to get in and out of school property without clogging up Towanda Avenue, a heavily traveled road.

Buses will continue to use the existing parking lot, while all other traffic will use a new loop road and the parking lot to the north.

In another matter, the council raised museum admission fees from $4 to $6, effective Jan. 1, which will generate $75,000 more a year.

The council also OK'd raising Ironwood greens fees from $17 to $18 on weekdays and from $21 to $22 weekends. The cost of passes also will increase.

The golf course changes will bring in an additional $38,000 a year and take effect Jan. 1.

Before the meeting started, the council recognized the Normal Fire Department for all the effort spent upgrading to paramedic-level service. Starting Dec. 8, the town has three full-time paramedic-level ambulances with two paramedics each.