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Fort Pierce approves multimillion-dollar road contracts; commissioners ask for funding clarity
Summary
The Fort Pierce City Commission approved two construction contracts on the consent agenda — a $3.47 million Surfside neighborhood roadway project and a $4.0 million Avenue D resurfacing — after commissioners asked staff where the money is coming from and about project timing and scope.
The Fort Pierce City Commission on Sept. 2 approved multiple roadway contracts on the consent agenda, including a $3,469,000 contract for Surfside Neighborhood Roadway Improvements Phase 2 and a $4,000,072,873.50 contract for Avenue D resurfacing from 20 Ninth Street to U.S. 1.
Commissioners pulled both items for discussion before voting to approve them. Commissioner Broderick said he had ‘‘a certain level of discomfort approving something on the consent agenda for $3,500,000’’ and asked staff to explain funding sources and phasing. The city engineer said the Surfside Phase 2 work is funded from the stormwater fund and clarified that the dollars are not ad valorem tax dollars. ‘‘This is not from ad valorem tax dollars then. Okay. Thank you,’’ the engineer said.
Commissioner Gaines raised similar questions about the Avenue D award and asked where the funding originates and why the project stops at 20 Ninth Street. The city engineer said Avenue D is paid for with surtax and FPRA (Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency) funding and additional state grant money. ‘‘So it’s money that is coming from several different pots, not just the general fund,’’ Commissioner Gaines said to clarify for the public.
Commissioner Johnson pressed for timing and construction details for Avenue D, calling it a ‘‘major pathway’’ and asking when work would begin. The city engineer estimated shop drawings and fabrication would put a start beyond October and ‘‘maybe November, December’’ before contractors initiate field work.
Commissioners also discussed project phasing for Surfside (the engineer said there are multiple phases) and the practical impact of the contracts on traffic and downtown holiday activity. Commissioner Broderick and others said they want more public clarity about when work will begin and what to expect during construction.
Both consent items were approved by roll call vote after discussion. Commissioners Broderick, Gaines, Johnson and Mayor Hudson voted yes.
Votes at the meeting were taken as typical roll-call motions on the consent agenda; for both road items the commission recorded unanimous approval of those present.
The approvals add to the city’s active street-improvement projects. City staff said funding will come from stormwater, surtax, FPRA and state grants, not from the city’s general fund.
The commission did not change the contract awards and directed staff to provide clearer public communications on funding sources, scope and timing for the projects.
