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Newport approves $90,558 bid to repair McSween Avenue; FEMA reimbursement could take years
Summary
The council awarded a $90,558 contract to Brockwell Construction to repair storm damage on McSween Avenue and instructed staff to include the cost in a budget amendment. Staff said FEMA and state reimbursement are possible but may take multiple years.
The Newport City Council voted to accept Brockwell Construction's low bid of $90,558 to repair storm damage on McSween Avenue and directed staff to include the project in a forthcoming budget amendment.
City staff told the council the damage dated to the September flood; the city waited on federal damage assessments before advertising the repair. Staff said the typical reimbursement model for eligible disaster repairs would have FEMA cover approximately 75% of eligible costs, the state emergency agency (TEMA) cover about 12.5%, and the city cover roughly 12.5% initially, with the expectation of later reimbursement. Staff cautioned there is no guarantee FEMA will approve the full amount and that FEMA reimbursements can take years.
Council members asked about available budget authority. Staff said funds are not yet budgeted for the project in the current ledger, so the council must approve a budget amendment in a later meeting to provide local funding until reimbursements arrive. The council also discussed traffic impacts and said the street will be closed during construction; staff said they would inform the public and coordinate detours.
When the bid was presented, staff said two bids were received and Brockwell was the low bidder. The city recommended awarding the contract so work could begin; staff estimated work could begin within three to four weeks if materials, particularly concrete pipe, are in stock, otherwise start date depends on manufacturing lead times.
Council members asked about longer-term plans for the downtown property next to the police department and the former police building; staff described ongoing discussions about using adjacent parcels for expanded parking, a farmers market pavilion and public amenities if property acquisitions proceed, but those concepts are separate from the immediate McSween repair.
The council voted to award the contract and to have staff prepare the budget amendment needed to fund the work. Staff will return with a start date, traffic-control plan and progress updates.
