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Council approves $1.62M Espanola baffle box to reduce lagoon nitrogen and phosphorus loads
Summary
The City of Melbourne awarded a $1,624,864.57 contract for the Espanola Baffle Box, a stormwater treatment structure that staff said will remove roughly 1,119 pounds of nitrogen and 148 pounds of phosphorus annually. Council approved associated budget transfers and a county cost‑share agreement to fund the project.
Melbourne’s City Council approved construction of an engineered baffle box on the Espanola drainage system at the July 22 meeting, a project staff described as a high‑value nutrient‑reduction measure for the Indian River Lagoon.
Public works staff told council the unit will use second‑generation bio‑sorption activated media to capture and treat stormwater before it discharges to the lagoon. Staff estimated the device should reduce about 1,119 pounds of total nitrogen and approximately 148 pounds of phosphorus annually.
Finance and funding: The apparent low bid from BDI Marine Contractors LLC (Hope Sound) was $1,624,864.57. Staff said the project was originally estimated at roughly $1.6 million; additional Save Our Indian River Lagoon program funds became available and the council approved a supplemental SOIRL appropriation. City staff also approved internal budget transfers of $200,000 and $300,000 from two deferred projects and accepted a legislative appropriation and county cost‑share agreement covering portions of the cost. Council approved the intergovernmental cost‑share agreement and a budget resolution (Resolution 4362) to appropriate the additional funds.
Why it matters: The project is part of the city’s Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) implementation and is intended to deliver measurable nutrient reductions to help meet Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) requirements. Staff said the placement and yield of this baffle box make it a higher‑value investment versus some deferred projects.
Implementation notes: Council authorized the city manager to execute the county cost‑share agreement and authorized the award to BDI Marine Contractors. Staff will proceed with a construction contract and required project management steps. Project funding will come from a combination of stormwater utility fees, a legislative appropriation ($287,500 noted in the packet) and increased Save Our Indian River Lagoon contributions ($150,422 adjusted upward to $150,422 during the meeting). Budget transfers from two deferred projects were approved to make the project fully funded.
Ending: Work is expected to proceed after contract execution and completion of funding transfers. Staff will report back on construction timing and progress as the project proceeds.
