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Public works reports progress on stormwater projects; North Beach pump design reaches 60% and new seawall technique tested
Summary
Public Works Director Marcus Williamson told council crews are clearing ditches, restoring retention ponds, adding equipment and contractors, and the North Beach pump phase 1 design will reach 60% in about two weeks; crew size and a new seawall formwork product were discussed.
The Clearwater City Council heard an update on stormwater resiliency on Sept. 18 from Marcus Williamson, the city’s Public Works Director, who described progress on crews, equipment and design work for flood-prone areas. Williamson told the council the department is addressing a backlog of stormwater repairs and has added equipment and contracting capacity to accelerate work. “Stormwater Crew is only about 30 folks,” Williamson said, describing the city’s internal staffing level and the need to supplement with contractors. “We did get the other contract in, so we've got a contractor out there helping us in a couple of ditches too.” The director said crews are prioritizing Bayshore Drive to reduce steady brackish inflow and localized flooding by restoring retention ponds, clearing ditches and installing tide valves where practicable. He said the North Beach pump phase 1 design is progressing quickly and the council should see 60% design documents in about two weeks. Williamson also described a new seawall-extension product the city is evaluating that can be attached to existing walls and act as formwork into which concrete is placed, reducing the need to demolish the existing cap. He described its structural attributes — noting the formwork is designed with substantial reinforcement — and council members asked technical installation questions at the meeting about whether the product would go over existing caps or require removal. The director said the city is also looking at equipment that can mechanically remove nutrient-rich material as a complement to Tampa Bay Estuary Program efforts on water quality. He credited fleet and procurement staff with speeding equipment acquisition and said the new tools may also aid recruitment. Council asked follow-up questions about seawall installation methods; Williamson explained site-by-site variation and that in some North Beach locations the system could be installed over the existing seawall and then infilled. No formal council action or ordinance resulted from the update; council received the report and directed staff to continue design and contracting work as described.
