Anna Maria's city engineer criticizes contractor
by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter
When the Southwest Florida Water Management District failed to issue Anna Maria an environmental resource permit by the planned April start date of Phase I of the city’s stormwater drainage project, contractor Adkins Contracting Inc. of Ruskin opted out of the deal.
That prompted city engineer Tom Wilcox to respond that issuance of the Swiftmud permit was “not under the control” of the city. He also said he was “disappointed” in the decision, noting that the city had presented options to work around the delay by agreeing to adjust the bid prices to the rate of inflation and any possible cost increases.
The city was even willing to extend the contract to the next “dry season,” said Wilcox, who expressed a “willingness to negotiate changes” with Adkins.
No dice, Adkins responded.
That said, replied Wilcox, the city sees “little use in trying to force an unwilling contractor to complete the work.”
A Swiftmud spokesperson said the agency never received information on the potential impacts of the project from the city when it was requested. (See related story.) |
