It seems the road work is never-ending in Holmes Beach.
City commissioners reached a consensus Feb. 14 to authorize Mayor Judy Titsworth to sign a $1,016,773.47 agreement with contractor Sarasota-based C-Squared CGC Inc. for the completion of stormwater improvement Phases F and I.
Both phases will consist of installing new stormwater infiltration trenches in public rights of way.
Phase F will cover Marina Drive between 56th and 58th streets, as well as 58th, 59th and 60th streets between Marina Drive and Holmes Boulevard.
The phase will be at least partially funded with $256,250 from the Southwest Florida Water Management District through its surface water improvement and management program.
Phase I will cover Gulf Drive between 69th and 76th streets.
Phase I will be funded with a $750,000 state appropriation administered through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The projects are part of the city’s continuous stormwater improvement work, which includes plans for phases G, H, J, K and L.
City engineer Sage Kamiya told The Islander Feb. 17 that, now that an agreement for a stipulated sum had been reached, he would coordinate with C-Squared to determine a commencement date.
He added that he hoped the contractor would be ready to begin work by summer.
C-Squared will have 540 days from that date to complete the work, which will be approached section by section.
Kamiya said the contractor would be using sod to surface the newly created infiltration trenches, instead of the stone used in past stormwater improvement phases, since residents seemed to appreciate the look of grass more.
“We’re getting away from just straight rock if we can because we’ve seen that it’s just as beneficial with sod and it looks better and is easier to take care of,” Kamiya said.
There was no public comment.
City center addendum
Commissioners also unanimously voted to approve a $168,524.46 addendum to the city’s contract with C-Squared for additional work on the ongoing city center improvement project.
The project addresses drainage, roadway markings, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, street lighting and landscaping from the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives to the 5600 block of Marina Drive.
The city hired C-Squared to complete the project for $2,753,784.55 and two early addenda for work in the area brought the total to $3,001,460.85.
The newly approved third addendum brings the cost to $3,169,985.31, including three items:
- $29,980.96 for the de- and remobilization of construction equipment due to Hurricane Ian last fall;
- $52,155 for the removal and replacement of an existing 18-inch stormwater drainage pipe and structure along the south side of Gulf Drive;
- $86,388.50 for the addition of new stormwater lines under the north side of Gulf Drive, as well as the removal and replacement of existing 18-inch stormwater drainage pipes.
Kamiya said C-Squared had assured him it would reach substantial completion for the project by the end of the month, but said there may be a small delay since the contractor had to order additional piping.
He added that the city was seeking Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement funding for the $29,980.96 cost for readdressing mobilization in the addendum and had received “every indication” it might be covered.
The commission will meet next at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.
Directions to attend via Zoom can be found at holmesbeachfl.org.
Why would you continue to use C-Squared for future projects after the substandard efficiency of the current City Center work debacle?