Council approves third‑party peer reviewer for FEMA safe‑room design; bidding planned for October 2025

City staff asked the council on Sept. 22 to approve a selected third‑party peer reviewer for the FEMA‑funded safe‑room/hazard mitigation project and to authorize the mayor to negotiate a not‑to‑exceed fee to be brought back to the council for approval.

A staff presenter told council that Adams & Stewart completed 90% design documents for the safe‑room and that one FEMA requirement is an independent peer review. Staff recommended Mark B. Hammond, architect, citing Hammond’s experience with FEMA safe‑room review requirements and ability to bring engineering support as needed; staff also said the grant will cover roughly 90% of the peer review cost.

Why it matters: FEMA grants require independent technical review for structure and life‑safety systems on projects receiving federal hazard mitigation funding. Approval keeps the design timeline on track to advertise bids in October and to complete construction in time for the 2026 hurricane season.

Council action: The council approved the selection and authorized the mayor to negotiate the contract with a not‑to‑exceed fee to be returned for council approval. Staff said the schedule remains on track to advertise for bids in October 2025 with an expectation of a usable safe room around the 2026 hurricane season.

Ending: Staff will return with the negotiated contract for council approval; the peer review and the grant timeline keep the program on schedule for procurement and construction in the coming year.