Roof bids for police department come in over budget; staff pauses award pending structural review

Staff reported that bids to reroof the building that houses the police department came in significantly over budget and that the city does not have original construction drawings for the premanufactured metal structure.

The project had been bid through a cooperative procurement; staff said the manufacturer’s records and follow‑up investigations indicate the building’s original structural design was minimal and that the proposed reroof would add about 0.93 pounds per square foot. Staff told the committee that structural engineers had raised questions about whether the existing roof framing and current building code requirements would permit the planned reroof without additional internal shoring or other modifications.

Because the building contains finished interior spaces, staff said options such as shoring and adding internal supports would be disruptive and costly. Staff described alternative remedial approaches (for example, spray coatings) but said those can lead to difficult-to-trace leaks later.

Staff said Mid Miami was the low bidder and that they will convene Mid Miami, structural engineers and city staff for an on‑site structural review before recommending an award. At the meeting a staff member advised the council to “take no action” on awarding the roof contract until the review is complete; staff said they will bring the findings back to the next agenda.

Ending: No contract award was made at this meeting; staff recommended further structural inspection and planning before proceeding.