[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6375759,"mediaKeyId","2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569","parentId",2140828,"title","Dunedin approves design contract for east seawall as debate continues over marina reopening and FEMA risk","audioSeconds",11467,"startMs",2487000,"endMs",13954000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569&start=2487&end=13954","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569/thumbnail_2487000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6375759/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-approves-design-contract-for-east-seawall-as-debate-continues-over-marina-reopening-and-FEMA-risk","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375759-a9e88ea471c003db7c56495b8e23fc81/orig.mp4?Expires=1773436111&Signature=VEH4dWsbt6esVXZ9CujfY9W5mZtitgZxLdeqBzPXThWqT5Rfp0SUy4ApNtJJgHyhu~L3w4k6uKWmxAG97zr8tv~KnEs5wFLVZSkjtZpXTHeoNhoZWztBMKuYrjqsXKYA6vQKL-ZdFtlsmYWy4KRMpC8nWKmWcQrO~FLaI3OZuJYKnjDz6t0oaI3EfXNmRRJaT-3Wu-jtO6OeeO~3SSkjXq~ARgv1VNmDjhoz-FlFt~~oZptGzmuZc2p8Dp8ycGq0URds-Qd7FxSR0JXPHgQACyjVkKcg4JcWjZty7mOwXAFP14hxmklsEZBnBkEqk8BLRubVzoI~98KxDwvNfiJUEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Dunedin, FL","date","2025-01-23T09:02:38.227Z","article","Dunedin — The City Commission on Jan. 21 unanimously approved a $298,083 contract with engineering firm Kimley-Horn and Associates to design and seek permits for the marina’s eastern bulkhead replacement and repairs to a damaged north bulkhead, while residents and commissioners pressed staff for a faster plan to stabilize docks and reopen portions of the marina.

The vote followed several hours of public comment, technical presentations from city staff and consultants, and a heated public exchange over procurement, timelines and how much the federal government might reimburse. Clayton Watkins, the city’s assistant utilities director and city engineer, told commissioners the quick schedule aims to complete design by April, bid in May and start construction in August with an estimated construction cost of about $3,555,000.

Why it matters: The marina is a central economic and recreational asset for Dunedin’s downtown, and its closure has affected restaurants, marina businesses and slip renters. Commissioners sought both an accelerated technical plan to repair the failing seawall and a short-term stabilization strategy that would allow limited marina operations before construction begins, while staff warned that moving too quickly can jeopardize FEMA reimbursement.

What the commission approved
Commissioners voted 5–0 to authorize the city manager’s recommended service authorization for Kimley-Horn. The motion, read into the record by the mayor, directed the city to proceed with design, permitting and post-design services and named Deputy City Manager Jorge Quintas as the city designee authorized to execute the service authorization.

Commissioner Rob Dugard moved the contract approval and Commissioner Rob Walker seconded. The formal vote was recorded as unanimous.

Public questions and technical findings
City staff and outside consultants described a mix of damage: a large section of east bulkhead that “moved substantially,” sinkage behind the wall and utilities (water and electrical) that were compromised where the wall shifted. Harbor Master Lori Ferguson and consultant teams reported that the commercial slips on the north side had temporary water restored and could be operated with temporary measures. The engineering team said a bathymetric survey and geotechnical work are planned to refine design.

Consultant Tucker Conklin of Tetra Tech, who advised on FEMA rules, told the commission that \"FEMA reimburses temporary repairs,\" but cautioned there is no absolute guarantee: his experience showed similar projects that were accepted and others that were denied depending on documentation and procurement choices.

Citizen engineers pushed for quicker action
Local engineer David Perro, representing a private engineering analysis provided to the city, urged a faster, less disruptive approach. \"The docks are not destroyed,\" Perro told the commission, arguing many pilings, pedestals and utilities could be reset or repaired in weeks and that the marina could return to safe, limited operations without full reconstruction of the seawall.

Staff urged caution on procurement and reimbursement risk
City staff said they used the city’s existing general engineering contract list (a continuing services pool) to speed procurement under Florida’s Consultants' Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA) and to avoid a full multi-month solicitation that would delay design. Staff also flagged a modest but real risk that FEMA could audit and deny reimbursement if the city’s use of continuing services were not sufficiently justified and documented.

Commissioners asked for a parallel stabilization plan
Multiple commissioners asked staff to return quickly with a bounded, costed plan to stabilize the marina for the upcoming storm season so boats can safely return. Commissioners emphasized two nonnegotiables: (1) any temporary work must protect citizens and property and be documented for reimbursement; and (2) the city should avoid decisions that foreclose later FEMA-eligible reconstruction or mitigation funds.

Votes at a glance
- Kimley-Horn service authorization (design, permitting, post-design): Motion to approve carried 5–0. Mover: Commissioner Rob Dugard; Second: Commissioner Rob Walker. Outcome: approved. Notes: Commissioners and staff recorded a limited risk of FEMA denial if procurement/documentation is insufficient; staff will return with a funding plan if FEMA denies reimbursement.

Next steps and outstanding questions
Staff said they will: (a) start Kimley‑Horn design work; (b) complete bathymetry and geotechnical sampling; (c) seek written reports on electrical and fire-suppression standpipe repairs; and (d) bring a targeted plan and cost estimate for temporary stabilization and limited reopening before construction, including an assessment of potential FEMA reimbursement and insurance coverage. The city manager said she would seek a project manager with marina reconstruction experience to coordinate complex work and stakeholder communications.

What remains uncertain
Staff and consultants stressed three remaining uncertainties: (1) the final construction cost estimate; (2) how FEMA will treat expedited procurement and temporary stabilization work; and (3) the timing of agency permitting. Tetra Tech’s Conklin said the city can reduce risk by documenting the need for speed and using federal‑compliant contract language, but that some risk remains.

Ending note
The Commission’s vote starts a compressed permitting and design schedule staff says is necessary to reach construction this summer. Commissioners and residents made clear they expect a concrete short‑term stabilization plan that balances reopening the marina and safeguarding the city’s eligibility for federal reimbursements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Dunedin Work Session 1.21.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dunedin approved a $298,083 design and permitting contract with Kimley‑Horn for the marina’s east bulkhead replacement after lengthy debate about reopening parts of the marina, procurement methods and FEMA reimbursement risks.","taxTitle","Dunedin, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",50865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6375749,"Dunedin approves $69,350 purchase of trailer‑mounted wastewater bypass pump; staff corrects pump size",130,2264000,2394000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569&start=2264&end=2394","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569/thumbnail_2264000.jpg","/articles/6375749/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Dunedin-approves-69350-purchase-of-trailermounted-wastewater-bypass-pump-staff-corrects-pump-size","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375749-22f3a50faad06046c204742e2fe89241/orig.mp4?Expires=1773436111&Signature=gYwfJvCsQbTrKgAZ4KGO5qzLZ68zmRHs9OUozF39~H3FzrRPKuJRHIOqAjYXFnIIh-fkTSG2K~ZEk5M6J3ieQoD~y789BlV7UUU5UtKvawu~i23U-XrCY5PE36ysGNnt7SZWPo7kGm0i4VGBCd7Z-gfMHd4nEoGanNiaBMl8GV2xm-zsJhMeeFV36feyZ6ANs8msEYey4rc8V1Tweh4F3eLBgN-oK11xfEBAAy042w8NP7pD4I9mWUsq4~Z~6h3tu0dLTK8D0dtABzPtClaQTqZSBBJgWx8bIr6JS19Hg9H~kTY-ytPz3plCul8SpK9tqvKTAgHgRhTwv9JLrzWZ-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dunedin — The City Commission on Jan. 21 approved the purchase of a trailer‑mounted wastewater bypass pump and accessories for $69,350.70 from Mercino Dewatering LLC of Jacksonville via the Florida Sheriffs Association cooperative purchasing program. Utilities staff corrected a clerical error in the memorandum: the pump is a 6‑inch model, not the 4‑inch size listed earlier in the memo.

Nan Bennett, utilities director and engineering director, told the commission the city currently owns five trailer‑mounted bypass units and expects this purchase to be the sixth. She said the department’s ideal complement would be about 15 pumps, but the city buys them over time because of cost.

Purpose and use
Bennett explained the pumps are used to bypass lift stations during planned maintenance, loss of power, or emergency outages after storms. The pumps are trailer‑mounted to be moved quickly to lift stations that need temporary pumping capacity. Residents who attended the meeting asked whether the city owns sufficient backup pumps; Bennett said the current plan is to grow the fleet over time.

Vote and next steps
Commission approved the purchase unanimously. The utilities department will add the pump to its emergency inventory and include it in routine maintenance and response planning.","The City Commission voted to buy a trailer‑mounted 6‑inch wastewater bypass pump (previously listed in staff memo as 4‑inch) at a cost of $69,350.70 through a cooperative purchase. Utilities staff said the purchase brings the city’s fleet to six trailer pumps and that the ideal fleet size is larger.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6375754,"Pinellas County outlines one‑way circulation pilot and security gates plan for Dunedin Causeway",640,324000,964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569&start=324&end=964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2140828-b3de4b679ded182397ab942cd2c43569/thumbnail_324000.jpg","/articles/6375754/Dunedin/Pinellas-County/Florida/Pinellas-County-outlines-oneway-circulation-pilot-and-security-gates-plan-for-Dunedin-Causeway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6375754-6655f27f15970a12544fb86eb8b04875/orig.mp4?Expires=1773436111&Signature=nMSqwciOiCluQ1I9uODa7bOf~MnqIliCCbVbOHw7~YlBe1b3r5ZfXsNzQ1vVUlyM-W3jHIdfp0IakRjIfH2fyhavz11V4etQV4yXCYHRuxEsX-E6Zav8NRE-yhWIyuJYbx7BNJgaiTZZLFDBXLzxyv00QxCplsXz5TByv~OPPFb9fFX6sBsfDRAtSbYcwD7EI6xZe5ydADuyjWC-kh-g8Tl3aSE9o0G9CpziNwIPizcncJi7jBBVjB3s2tR0Bd9GeXlV5jfvuOmVPPjof4ltkbNwj5DlrU15FZxuUpNjU~8lJkmBFCPcuvYVh~umV2DAfVhle2lQK6KsTKEW~8Ct1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dunedin — Pinellas County transportation staff on Jan. 21 outlined a three‑part plan to reduce conflicts on the Dunedin Causeway beach frontage: a north‑side pilot of one‑way beach circulation, installation of nighttime security gates, and ongoing storm‑damage repairs.

Tom Washburn, director of transportation for Pinellas County Public Works, said county staff has coordinated concept designs with city parks officials and community groups and intends to pilot clockwise one‑way vehicle circulation on the north beach frontage first because it is easier to implement than the south side. The south side faces additional engineering complexity related to jet‑ski access near the launch area.

Washburn said implementation will rely mostly on signing because sand prevents pavement markings; signs would include one‑way, do‑not‑enter and right‑turn‑only signs. The Causeway and Coastal Waterway Committee and the Dunedin Beach Civic Association have both seen the concept and offered preliminary support.

Security gates and storm repairs
County staff also presented a proposal for swing security gates that would close at night, similar to the system on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, but noted that the city issues overnight‑fishing permits which would need to be accommodated.

Washburn reported two areas of storm damage: a repaired fender system, sidewalk and railing at the bridge (repair cost about $60,000, completed without waiting for federal approval), and a more severe southeast erosion that has closed part of the causeway since the storms. The county submitted an estimate to the Federal Highway Administration and said it expects about five weeks of repair work once federal approval is received.

Questions from commission and next steps
Commissioners pressed county staff on management and enforcement: who would control the gates (county parks currently manages those areas), whether the north‑side pilot would be reevaluated and how enforcement would be handled (the county would post regulatory signs and rely on Pinellas County Sheriff patrols for enforcement). Washburn said the county is updating interlocal agreements with the city to clarify responsibilities and expected to bring a single consolidated interlocal in the near future.

Commissioners asked for additional design elements — for example, crosswalk/painted pavement treatments at access points — and for additional traffic counts and observations; Washburn said counts started on the north side before the storms and would be resumed now that repairs and planning are moving forward.

Why it matters
The Causeway is both a popular recreational area and an infrastructure asset; circulation, parking and overnight activities have been recurrent sources of complaints. County staff framed the one‑way pilot and gates as safety and operations proposals designed to reduce vehicle–pedestrian conflicts, control late‑night traffic and protect the sand surface and riprap.

Provenance
Presentation and discussion began with Tom Washburn’s briefing to the commission (first Causeway remarks at 00:05:00 in the transcript) and concluded with commissioner follow‑up questions about enforcement, parking and jet‑ski access (last related remarks at 01:13:18).","Pinellas County staff presented a pilot plan to make the Dunedin Causeway beach frontage one‑way on the north side, proposed security gates to close overnight, and reported storm damage repairs — including a $60,000 immediate repair and a larger southeast erosion repair awaiting Federal Highway Administration approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dunedin approves design contract for east seawall as debate continues over marina reopening and FEMA risk

Dunedin approves $69,350 purchase of trailer‑mounted wastewater bypass pump; staff corrects pump size

Pinellas County outlines one‑way circulation pilot and security gates plan for Dunedin Causeway