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Commission approves piggyback contract to replace 50 manhole rings and covers, allows list adjustments
Summary
The commission approved a $196,700 piggyback agreement to install 50 sanitary manhole rings and covers, with staff permitted to adjust the specific locations after review; vote 4‑0.
The City Commission authorized a piggyback contract to install 50 sanitary manhole rings and covers at a cost of $196,700 and gave staff authority to adjust the list of specific locations based on commissioner feedback.
City staff said the work is part of an ongoing multi‑year replacement program to address life‑expired manholes; the current contract covers 50 units included in this year’s fiscal budget and capital improvement plan. The resolution authorizes piggybacking on a competitively procured agreement held by the City of St. Augustine with Engineered Spray Solutions. Staff and the city attorney explained that Florida law permits jurisdictions to piggyback on another government’s procurement but that the piggybacked contract terms are accepted as procured and cannot be materially altered beyond scope adjustments like location swaps.
Commission discussion focused on prioritization and geography. Commissioner Bellheimer and public commenters questioned why some low‑lying, surge‑vulnerable neighborhoods were not on the proposed list and asked staff to swap items to address vulnerability first. The city engineer said the contractor’s pricing differentiates work in asphalt versus grass, so like‑for‑like swaps (asphalt for asphalt) would be easiest to implement. Staff said the city plans to budget for an additional 50 manholes each year and offered to work with commissioners to identify and substitute locations quickly.
A public speaker provided a location list for consideration and asked for detail on line items in the project budget (traffic control, lodging, before/after photos); staff said the vendor was procured by St. Augustine and the piggyback accepts their bid and terms.
A motion to approve the resolution — subject to adjustment of the location list after staff review — passed 4‑0. Staff said it will accept commissioner direction on specific site swaps and expects to proceed with the vendor under the piggyback agreement.
