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Dunedin ratifies emergency spending to keep NRCS-funded creek clearing on schedule; contractor reports 23,755 cubic yards removed
Summary
The commission ratified after-the-fact emergency increases to purchase orders for Crowder Golf Joint Ventures and Tetra Tech to avoid remobilization delays on an NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection channel‑clearing project; staff reported roughly 23,755 cubic yards of vegetation removed so far (about 444 truckloads).
The Dunedin City Commission ratified an emergency authorization on Feb. 19 to increase purchase orders so work could continue on an NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) channel‑clearing program without costly remobilization delays. The action increases the PO for Crowder Golf Joint Ventures by $1,233,200 and for Tetra Tech by $211,420 to allow contractors to proceed while city staff and the grantee finalized additional funding details.
Progress update: Interim public‑services staff (Trevor Bacon and project leads) said crews have removed approximately 23,755 cubic yards of vegetation to date—about 444 truckloads—working by hand in many confined channels and using small equipment where access allows. Staff reported crews have completed multiple reaches of Curlew Creek, Jerry Branch and Cedar Creek, and are coordinating resident notifications and access for upcoming sections.
Why the emergency authorization was needed: Contractors informed staff in mid‑December that the volume of vegetation exceeded initial estimates. While staff pursued additional NRCS funding, they asked the city manager for emergency authorization to avoid remobilization and added costs that would jeopardize the grant schedule. Staff later received the additional funds and sought formal ratification at the commission meeting; the commission approved the ratification.
Reimbursement and oversight: Staff said the work is grant‑funded (NRCS EWP) and expected to be reimbursable; they will supply project documentation and continue public outreach for access where residents must be notified.
Quote: "They removed over 23,755 cubic yards of vegetation debris, 444 truckloads," project lead Trevor Bacon reported, noting much of the work required manual removal in constrained waterways.
