Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Stormwater Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DeBary council OKs $33,495 change order to raise components at James Pond pump station
Summary
Council approved change order No. 1 with Carr and Collier Inc. for $33,495.46 to elevate essential components of the James Pond stormwater pump station in response to extreme rainfall from Hurricane Milton.
The City of DeBary City Council approved change order No. 1 on Jan. 22 with Carr and Collier Inc. for $33,495.46 to modify the James Pond stormwater pump (lift) station to better withstand extreme rainfall and flooding.
City staff said the work will raise critical electrical and mechanical components above the flood elevation experienced during Hurricane Milton and prepare the station to accept larger pumps if the Saint Johns River Water Management District revises its permitting criteria.
City materials say the original construction contract specified 210-horsepower pumps because "the 210 horsepower pumps are what is the maximum size that's permitted, at this time by the Saint Johns River Water Management District for this location." The change order includes site modifications to elevate key components above the observed flood elevation and to allow future upsizing if permitted.
Funding and schedule: The James Pond stormwater project was budgeted from the FY2024 stormwater fund ($500,000) with an additional $250,000 to be allocated from the stormwater land account; remaining construction costs will be funded from the FY2025 stormwater fund. Council previously approved a project contingency of $52,290; the change order amount exceeds the city manager’s $25,000 approval limit and therefore required council approval.
Discussion: Council members praised the proactive approach after Hurricane Milton. Council member Sell said, "instead of just sitting around hoping that we never get another storm... we're actually trying to upgrade and try to prevent the same thing from happening again." Council discussion also covered related county-owned retention facilities and coordination with Volusia County; staff told council the city has tested an old pipeline from the county retention pond to I-4 and plans to repair it to move water if necessary.
Vote: A motion to approve Carr and Collier change order No. 1 for $33,495.46 passed unanimously with Mayor Chazet, Vice Mayor Butlin and council members Sell, Papalardo and Stevenson voting yes.
Next steps: Staff will authorize the contractor to implement the elevation work while the project remains under construction. The council directed no additional changes to scope at the meeting.
