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 additional accessible stalls could be added; the motion carried on a voice vote.

During that discussion council members pressed staff about the number of dedicated accessible stalls. Picariello said the design includes one required accessible stall and an access aisle; council members asked staff to examine options to add more accessible parking without damaging existing trees or wells. Council members expressed preference to prioritize additional accessible stalls because many Sunflower House clients are elderly. Council directed staff to pursue the added stalls within the $7,500 contingency and to avoid removing trees where possible.

Separately, council authorized the city manager to award a contract to replace a 60-inch corrugated-metal storm pipe on Technology Drive through a piggyback purchase using DuPage County contract 23065PW. Public Works staff said the work replaces a critically worn section of pipe and installs a concrete box end to make future phases easier. The staff recommendation was to award the work to the vendor listed in the packet for $149,800 using grant funding that was previously secured; council approved the award on a voice vote.

Council also approved an award, via the same piggyback contract mechanism, to extend an existing 48-inch concrete drainage culvert at Lake Court and Henry Avenue and to install two new headwalls to stabilize the roadway edge. Staff recommended awarding that contract for $134,550 and noted the work had been budgeted at $150,000. Council approved the award following questions about the headwall configuration and how the approach would be filled and stabilized.

Council approved a budget amendment to pay the final invoice for rehabilitation of the Wickham Road Lift Station 105. Public Works staff said the contractor completed the work in January but supply-chain delays pushed equipment delivery into the next fiscal year; staff explained the project came in under the overall budget but requires moving $145,000 into the current year to close out the job and pay the contractor. Council approved the budget amendment on a voice vote after staff clarified that the city pays only for installed work and that surety mechanisms remain available if a contractor fails to complete work.

The council also authorized the city manager to sign the five-year interlocal agreement to remain a participating member of the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization. Staff said the designation keeps West Melbourne on the TPO project list for future intersection and corridor improvements including planned Minton and Ellis projects.

The city manager and public-works staff said the work on these projects is designed to reduce flood risk, improve accessibility and maintain critical stormwater infrastructure. Several council members asked staff to provide follow-up options and cost estimates if more accessible stalls are requested beyond the $7,500 contingency.

Votes at a glance: the council tabled agenda item 5A to the March 18 meeting by motion (motion to table made by an identified council member and seconded; voice vote to table carried). The consent agenda was approved by voice vote. The Sunflower House parking/accessibility contract was approved with the $7,500 amendment (motion by Diana Adams; second by Steven Frampus). The Technology Drive 60-inch pipe replacement contract was approved (motion and second on the floor; voice vote). The Lake Court/Henry Avenue culvert extension contract was approved (motion and second; voice vote). The Wickham Road Lift Station 105 budget amendment was approved (motion by Austin Gaylord; second by Steven Frampus). The Space Coast TPO interlocal agreement was approved by voice vote.