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Council waives RFP, approves $176,290 in quotes to stabilize sinkhole on city right of way
Summary
The City of DeBary authorized staff to waive the formal RFP process and approved a helicopter grouting proposal and geotechnical services totaling $176,290 to remediate a confirmed sinkhole under a city road and right of way.
The City of DeBary City Council on Jan. 22 authorized the city manager to execute proposals to remediate a confirmed sinkhole that extends under a city road and right of way, approving a total package of $176,290 to be paid from general funds.
City Engineer Richard Villasenor told council the depression spans the road and private yards, and subsurface borings indicate the cavity extends laterally under the public right of way. He said a formal RFP could add 60 to 90 days, so staff solicited quotes from five contractors and received two proposals.
The staff package presented the following: a helicopter grouting proposal for $145,000 (listed in the agenda materials as "HELOCON" in city documents) plus a 10% contingency of $14,500, and an ECS geotechnical proposal for $16,790 billed on work performed. Villasenor said the total quoted cost is $176,290 and that borings are planned to depths of 70 to 90 feet, with grout used to fill cavities and form a permanent concrete-like fill.
Why it matters: Villasenor emphasized the risk to the road and public safety if the cavity grows. "It is in our right away. ... This is gonna get worse over time," he said, describing borings and grouting to secure the roadway. Council members stressed the urgency to act before the wet season.
Technical and regulatory notes: Villasenor said the subsurface conditions are karstic limestone; nearby geotechnical survey work found similar activity within a half-mile to a mile. Council asked whether the remediation would interfere with future septic-to-sewer conversion; Villasenor replied borings and grout extend to depths far below sewer lines and should not prevent later sewer installation.
Vote: A motion to waive the formal RFP process, approve the helicopter grouting proposal for $145,000 plus a 10% contingency ($14,500), and approve the ECS geotechnical proposal for $16,790 passed unanimously. Mayor Chazet, Vice Mayor Butlin and council members Sell, Papalardo and Stevenson voted yes.
Next steps: Staff expects to start work in about four weeks and will proceed with the quoted contractors to stabilize the roadway and fill the cavity.
