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Commission approves $298,848 landscaping work authorization for Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway
Summary
The Pompano Beach City Commission approved a $298,848 work authorization with Cutting Edge Industries for ongoing landscape installation and maintenance along Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway despite objections about cost and CRA funding responsibility.
The Pompano Beach City Commission on April 8 approved work authorization No. 3, a $298,848 contract amendment with Cutting Edge Industries for landscaping installation and maintenance along Atlantic Boulevard and Dixie Highway.
Commissioners said the project is needed to maintain streetscape improvements but several members raised concerns about cost and which public entity should pay the ongoing maintenance.
Vice Mayor Julie Fournier and Commissioner Fessett pressed staff on whether Community Redevelopment Agency funds could cover part of the cost, saying the CRA paid for a portion of the streetscape construction. CRA director Nguyen Tran told the commission that CRA paid roughly $15 million of the $46 million total project and that "maintenance of roadways is not a CRA-eligible expense." Tran said maintenance is a city responsibility and the CRA trust cannot be used as a slush fund.
Vice Mayor Fournier described the $300,000 annual maintenance price as "a pretty big deal" and said taxpayers deserve more review and competition; she voted against the measure. Public Works staff and the contract manager told commissioners the city previously issued a vendor qualification (RFQ) for landscape services and that contracting out the work was less expensive than performing it with internal public-works crews because of higher fringe and benefit costs on city payrolls.
Commission debate focused on three questions: whether the CRA should absorb a share of ongoing maintenance given its prior capital contribution to the streetscape, whether the procurement and bid process provided adequate competition for a roughly $300,000 contract, and whether the city should expand in-house capacity instead of relying on outside vendors. Commissioners asked staff to return with additional budget detail and the CRA share analysis.
The resolution authorizing work authorization No. 3 passed on a 5–1 vote (Commissioners Fessett, Perkins, Seegerson Eaton, Smith and Mayor Harden in favor; Vice Mayor Fournier opposed). City staff said the contract will be funded from the city special purpose fund identified in the agenda backup.
Ending: Staff said they will provide commissioners with more detailed budget line items and follow up with the CRA attorney about eligibility rules. Fournier and others asked to see the underlying RFQ and prior year spend history before the next, similar contract is brought forward.
