Palm Bay approves $3.1 million emergency contract to repair Hurricane Milton washout after sewer spill risk

The Palm Bay City Council on Feb. 6 acknowledged an emergency construction contract of roughly $3.1 million with Don Luchetti Construction to repair a washout that occurred during Hurricane Milton and caused a sanitary sewer spill and risked potable and raw water infrastructure.

Interim city management and utilities staff said crews had stabilized the immediate hazard but the scale of the damage required rapid contracting to avoid further public-health and service disruptions ahead of the rainy season. "We absolutely needed to get a construction contractor out there to do the work," Interim City Manager said, describing short delivery times for premanufactured concrete box structures and the need to mobilize quickly (SEG 3641-3654). The manager noted the emergency declaration allowed the city to move quickly and brought forward a contractor who could mobilize fast.

Council voted unanimously to acknowledge the emergency contract and approve the necessary budget amendment to pay the contractor (motion by Deputy Mayor Jaffe; second by Councilman Hammer; passes 5-0) (SEG 3728-3740, 3791-3794). Staff said they expect to seek some FEMA reimbursement for eligible costs; the exact reimbursement amount is unknown.

Staff and council members emphasized protecting water quality and avoiding larger public-health incidents during heavy rains; the work is intended to be completed before the rainy season and to secure potable and raw-water lines that serve substantial portions of the city.

What happens next: The contractor will mobilize and complete the repair work; staff will pursue federal reimbursement when eligible and report back to council on schedule and scope as milestones are reached.

Key figures: contract amount reported at about $3,100,000; emergency declaration signed in October (staff noted); staff indicated potential FEMA reimbursement but did not specify amounts (SEG 3641-3723).