Council approves $239,750 change order to finish Fowler Avenue emergency sewer project

The City Council on Tuesday approved a change order to complete the Fowler Avenue emergency gravity sewer replacement after a prior contractor’s agreement was terminated.

Public Works Director Jason Warrenfeld told the council the change order to Sun Civil LLC covers remaining work including casing under Fowler Avenue, driveway and lift-station reconstruction, sidewalk replacement and additional site work. The change order adds $239,750.22 and adjusts the Sun Civil contract total to $1,602,307.80.

Why it matters: the work followed a sewer main emergency that required bypass pumping and other emergency measures. Council members pressed staff for a timeline and cost clarity; staff said the contractor change and ongoing bypass pumping have increased cumulative project costs and that the city is tracking expenses for possible federal reimbursement.

Timing and costs

Warrenfeld said the project’s remaining work should be complete in August once final manholes arrive and FDOT right-of-way work is coordinated and restored. He reiterated that bypass-pumping is being billed monthly and that prior contractor payments and other project costs mean the cumulative total for the project exceeds the $1.6 million contract figure.

Warrenfeld also said the city is tracking costs for possible FEMA reimbursement and noted staff had been told the city could be eligible for up to 75% reimbursement; he cautioned that final eligibility and amounts will depend on federal review.

Council action: by voice vote the council adopted the change order. Councilmembers also asked staff to continue daily on-site supervision and to keep the council apprised of cumulative costs and the project’s final closeout.

Staff said the immediate remaining item is delivery and installation of two manhole structures and subsequent restoration work; once that is complete, the contractor will finish the remaining sidewalk and driveway work and demobilize bypass pumping.