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Commission approves RFP for Basin 1 stormwater work; certification of stormwater assessment rolls moves forward
Summary
Commission approved issuing a construction RFP for the Basin 1 stormwater project on condition engineering contracts are finalized and certified the town's stormwater assessment roll for collection. Commissioners discussed options for bidding, contract timing and stormwater funding.
The Town Commission of Melbourne Beach voted May 21 to put the first-phase Basin 1 stormwater construction out for bid, subject to a condition that the town finalize engineering agreements with the consultants selected to support project oversight. Commissioners also approved the town’s stormwater utility assessment roll for collection during the next tax cycle and directed staff to pursue a longer-term rate study.
Public works staff presented engineering cost options prepared by BSE for the Basin 1 pipe work and several alternatives for how contractors might perform the work (parallel installation, open-cut replacement, etc.). Commissioners authorized staff to issue a public Request for Proposals (RFP) for construction of the pipe work, on the condition that the town’s engineering contract(s) with its consultant(s) be executed first. The commission set a tentative RFP launch date of June 1, contingent on the contracts’ execution.
Commissioner Robert Baldwin explained he wanted engineering contracts finalized before any RFP release; the motion passed with one dissent expressed on the floor. Town staff said contractors would be asked to propose the approach they believe best meets the town’s needs; final contractor selection would return to the commission for public review of bids.
Separately, the commission adopted a resolution certifying the stormwater utility assessment roll (Resolution 2025-08), allowing the non-ad valorem stormwater fees to be sent to the county tax collector for inclusion on the property tax bill. Commissioners and staff discussed the age of the town’s stormwater rate methodology — a flat fee in place for many years — and tasked staff to research alternatives. Staff said a formal rate study tied to impervious-area methodology would take time; commissioners asked staff to report back with options and to consider using any excess year-end stormwater fund balance for capital projects in the near term.
Commissioners also discussed a townwide proposal to lease a large portable stormwater pump for surge control during hurricane season and requested a task authorization approach to test feasibility with the town’s soon-to-be contracted engineering firms. That item will return to the commission after proposals from engineers are available.
The decisions move the Basin 1 project into the procurement phase while reinforcing the commission’s intent to strengthen the town’s stormwater funding, planning and resiliency measures.
