West Melbourne council approves Sunflower House parking expansion, awards multiple public-works contracts

The West Melbourne City Council on March 4 approved a package of public-works measures, including a contract to expand parking at the Sunflower House and separate contracts to replace a failing 60-inch storm pipe on Technology Drive and to extend a 48-inch concrete culvert at Lake Court and Henry Avenue.

The measures follow staff presentations about safety and infrastructure needs. Council amended the Sunflower House contract to allow staff up to $7,500 over the originally requested award to add additional accessible parking stalls for the senior-focused program that uses the building.

City Capital Projects/ Public Works staff described chronic parking on the grass at the Sunflower House, which serves seniors and community programs, and recommended paving a driveway extension that would provide roughly a dozen parking spaces and a circulation lane. Public Works Director Mark Picariello presented the plans and the original budgeted amount of $35,000; staff asked council to award the construction contract to Adrian Turnbull Construction for the amount shown in the staff packet. Council member Diana Adams moved to award the contract and to give staff authority to spend up to $7,500 more so that two to four…