Fort Pierce Commission approves parking, dumpster and floor change orders but rejects window replacement

The Fort Pierce City Commission on July 7 approved three final change orders for ongoing renovation work at a city-owned building — covering floor leveling, a dumpster enclosure and expanded parking — but unanimously denied a separate change order to replace existing impact windows.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to deny the window replacement change order after several members said they had inspected the building and found functioning impact-rated glass that met the Metro-Dade standard discussed during the meeting. The commission then voted 5-0 to approve change orders for second-floor floor leveling, a dumpster enclosure and parking-lot work, with conditions that include interim inspections by the city engineer during the parking work.

The window change order was described during discussion as approximately $26,000 to replace existing impact glass with new impact glass. Commissioner Curtis Broderick said he did not support spending the money where “perfectly functional” impact windows already exist, and Director Thomas and other staff agreed the current windows met the applicable code at the time they were installed.

The parking-lot work drew extended discussion from commissioners. City staff said the civil designer’s plan calls for grading the lot to establish a positive pitch toward an existing storm drain in the southeast corner to keep water away from the building entrance. Commissioners and staff agreed the plan reduces the scope of work (removing and lowering only the material necessary rather than replacing the base), saving money compared with full reconstruction. The commission asked that engineering staff or the city engineer perform interim inspections of the regrading and compaction before new asphalt is placed; staff agreed to coordinate a courtesy inspection on aggregate compaction.

Commissioners also questioned the cost estimate for a dumpster enclosure, with one commissioner saying in public comment that dumpster enclosures normally cost far less than the quoted amount; staff did not provide alternative pricing at the meeting but proceeded with the vote to approve that change order.

Director Thomas and the project manager told commissioners these were the final change orders expected to complete the project. Commissioners said they wanted to be sure the approved parking-lot work would be durable and not require early rework, and several members emphasized they preferred to “spend once and be done.”

The commission recorded roll-call votes on the items: denial of the window replacement (item E) passed 5-0 (Broderick, Gaines, Johnson, Taylor, Mayor Hudson voting yes). Approval of the other change orders (items D, F and G) passed 5-0.

Commissioners said the city will require permit inspections for the paving work and will coordinate with engineering to document compaction and drainage prior to final paving.

The denial applies only to the change-order line to replace the existing impact glass; the rest of the renovation package remains approved so the contractor can finish work under the other change orders.