DeBary Council approves $172,424 drainage fix for Burnesec Drive ahead of hurricane season

The City of DeBary on Tuesday approved a $172,424.30 construction budget to repair severe erosion and upgrade stormwater infrastructure at the east end of Burnesec Drive, project representatives said.

Kaye Hare Construction Services owner Kevin Hare told the City Council the Burnesec Drive work aims to “restore severe erosion within the city's drainage easement” after Hurricane Milton’s heavy rainfall overwhelmed the existing system and damaged the road and adjacent properties. He said design and construction proposals were solicited from local contractors and engineers to meet an aggressive completion target before August 1.

The council voted to award the construction contract to DDS Enterprises LLC for $161,144.30, approve construction-phase engineering from Neal Schafer Inc. for $21,359, and authorize construction management with Kaye Hare Construction Services (work order 4205-02) not to exceed $18,096. The total recommended budget including a 7% contingency is $172,424.30, with irrigation estimated separately at about $2,500. Councilmember Stevenson moved approval; the motion passed unanimously.

Hare summarized prior steps: Veil/Neal Schafer prepared modeling and drawings after the October 2024 storm, and the city received three bids — DDS Enterprises at roughly $161,144, Gregory Construction at $241,028 and All Terrain Tractor Service at about $261,677 — before recommending DDS to expedite repairs. Hare said DDS’ principal, Nick Shepherd, had visited the site and was prepared to start immediately.

City staff said design work previously approved totaled $34,260; construction-phase engineering and construction management add to the project cost. Funding will come from general-fund reserves; staff noted the expenditures are subject to potential FEMA reimbursement for hurricane-related repairs.

Council members asked about the project timeline and durability. Hare said permitting by the St. Johns River Water Management District (referred to in the meeting as St. John's Water Management) is one remaining dependency and that contractors expect to be ready to bid when the permit is issued. On service life, staff said stormwater pipes typically have a 35-to-50-year lifespan depending on conditions, but added that “there’s really no guarantees when it comes to severe storms.”

The city also authorized on-site soils testing and monitoring by the geotechnical consultant included in the construction-phase scope. Staff said irrigation work to stabilize newly placed sod will use the resident’s water supply and that a separate irrigation contractor will be coordinated.

The council approved the measures so work can begin quickly to protect homes and the roadway before hurricane season.