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Board revisits staging-site need after staff says alternatives would match lot costs
Summary
Board members discussed land acquisition for a staging site, reviewing past studies and alternatives such as larger barges, floating staging and longer travel distances; staff said equipment costs could offset lot purchase costs.
The Punta Gorda City Canal Advisory Board spent substantial time reviewing the rationale for a land staging site to support canal maintenance, dredging and seawall panel work and weighing alternatives including use of smaller barges, floating staging on barges, cranes or longer travel to remote sites.
Board member Gary Disher raised the expected staging-site cost — "we're gonna incur, what, 4 or $500,000 probably to create that staging site" — and asked for a cost-benefit analysis comparing land acquisition and maintenance versus using smaller barges. Chair and staff members recounted multi-year deliberations and studies, including references to a prior Taylor study, and said the city has repeatedly explored alternatives.
Staff explained that barge widths commonly are about 30 feet and lengths vary; travel time and operating costs would rise if barges had to be staged farther from the subdivision. One practical constraint is where to place removed panels and spoils and where new materials would be marshaled on land for transfer to barges. A board member who recalled prior meetings said earlier conclusions found that, by the time the city purchased additional specialized equipment or barges and the necessary support gear, costs equaled or exceeded the lot purchase cost, and operating costs would ultimately be charged back to homeowners.
Staff also said the subdivision will face similar staging constraints as build-out proceeds: "Once we reach build out, that's when we can no longer operate like we currently operate," and that permitting for a large channel to connect Ponce Inlet to the staging location is underway in some areas.
There was no formal vote; the exchange was an informational discussion and a call to preserve analysis notes so the board can review cost and operational assumptions when land-acquisition decisions return to a future agenda.
