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City reports council awards for engineering services; board hears updates on meters, hydrants and force‑main work
Summary
Staff told the Utility Advisory Board that City Council approved master agreements with CDM Smith and McKim & Creed for major wastewater and force‑main projects, and Spencer updated members on meter program progress, hydrant maintenance plans and planned force‑main replacements under I‑75.
City staff told the Punta Gorda City Utility Advisory Board on June 23 that City Council had approved several consultant master agreements and specific authorization for work tied to wastewater pumping and force‑main improvements, and staff also briefed the board on ongoing meter‑reading work and a separate hydrant maintenance program.
Tom Spencer, utilities director, said City Council approved a master agreement to CDM Smith of Fort Myers for wastewater master pumping facility improvements and booster generator replacement and authorized the firm’s first task order for phase 1 professional services. “We just had our kickoff meeting with CDM a little over a week ago. They brought an army of people … they spent some time with us and then … made site visits,” Spencer said.
Spencer also reported Council’s approval of a master agreement with McKim & Creed of Fort Myers for engineering services to replace an aging force main under I‑75; staff said the existing pipe is 18 inches and consultants will model hydraulic needs to determine whether upsizing (24‑ or 36‑inch options) is necessary.
Separately, Spencer updated the board on meter programs. He reported the city is successfully reading most AMI meters and has reduced estimated reads to fewer than about 100 accounts per month. Council approved an award to Olameter for meter reading services with a two‑year contract and an option to terminate, staff said; the contract was intended to provide continuity while the city completes a meter‑study and evaluates AMI replacement options.
Board recorder Alexandra Friend described how alternates would be appointed under a council‑approved bylaw amendment to expand the board to five regular members and two alternates: alternates may be appointed, are encouraged to attend meetings, and may serve at the dais and vote only when seated in place of a regular member.
On hydrant maintenance, Spencer said the city plans a dedicated program separate from the meter work. The city identified roughly 1,400 hydrants and previously had a dedicated hydrant maintenance worker who retired; the new program is expected to be launched before the end of the fiscal year, pending resolution of procurement details.
Spencer said staff is also moving forward on other projects in the CIP, including an additional master plan, wastewater pond liner replacement, lift‑station rehabilitation and a pump‑facility upgrade combined with generator replacement.
