City says Russell Harbor boat ramp bid process to start after FEMA dispute resolved

Arthur Brown of East Milton asked the council at the May 13 work session for an update on the Russell Harbor boat ramp project, noting funds had been set aside and a contract appeared to be in place two years earlier.

“Can we get an update that maybe my grandchildren will get to use it one day?” Brown asked.

Council members directed the question to staff. Councilwoman Hawthorne and city staff said the project was delayed by disagreement between the city’s engineer and FEMA’s engineer over the valuation and scope of repairs following storm damage. Staff reported FEMA and state personnel transitions and related negotiations prolonged the process, but a settlement on an amount had been reached and FEMA had authorized billing for any overage after bids are received.

“We had the money, appropriated to us to repair the dock,” Arthur Brown said earlier in his question. City staff later said the project will be bid soon: “The delay will be very minimal from this day. We are going to bid for the project,” staff said, and when asked whether it could be done by next summer a staff member replied, “By next summer, it will be completed.”

No formal action or vote was recorded on the boat ramp at the work session; staff reported the remaining steps are to advertise for bids and proceed with the contract once a bid and final FEMA billing authorization are in place.

Residents seeking a schedule update were told the project had been delayed by multiagency disagreements but that the city expected to advertise the project for bids shortly and anticipated completion by summer 2026 if bidding and procurement proceed as described.

The council did not place the matter on consent during the work session; staff will return with procurement steps as they occur.