Punta Gorda public works director outlines hurricane response, seawall program and plan to restore staffing

Ron Evers, Punta Gorda public works director, gave a wide-ranging presentation on the city’s Public Works operations and storm response, and told residents he will propose a plan to restore staffing to earlier levels.

Evers opened by describing the department’s divisions — canal maintenance, engineering, facilities maintenance, sanitation, right of way, parks and grounds — and said the office provides customer service to roughly 20,000 residents. “Public works are recognized by the federal government as first responders,” Evers said, adding, “We are the first in. The only difference is we’re the last out.”

Why it matters: Punta Gorda owns and operates an extensive seawall and canal system that requires continual maintenance and is a primary factor in the city’s storm-preparedness and recovery workload. Evers’ staffing proposal could reduce contract spending and increase the city’s capacity to manufacture and install replacement seawall panels, perform dredging, and speed routine maintenance.

Key facts and operations: Evers said canal maintenance inspects seawalls with GPS and sonar-equipped boats, schedules dredging and works with mangrove contractors and navigational sign crews. The city manufactures seawall panels in-house; Evers said the crew typically pours roughly 10 panels per day and stacks panels in storage. He described…