Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Engineering topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port St. Joe commission awards wastewater engineering contract to Dewberry after divided vote
Summary
After hours of debate about local partnerships, lagoon risk and transparency, the Port St. Joe commission voted 3–2 to select Dewberry as the prime engineer for the city's wastewater project. Commissioners emphasized expectations that Dewberry work with local firms and help secure grant funding.
The Port St. Joe City Commission voted 3 to 2 to award the engineering services contract for the city's wastewater project to Dewberry, the commission announced after a lengthy public discussion and presentations from competing firms.
The vote concluded a prolonged old-business debate over an RFQ for CDBG engineering services. Commissioner S9 moved to select Dewberry as lead engineer; Commissioner S5 seconded the motion. After public commenters raised concerns about existing local involvement and a resident alleged favoritism during the selection process, the commission moved to a vote and the chair announced the motion passed 3 to 2.
Why it matters: The chosen firm will prepare design documents and help the city pursue advanced wastewater treatment options and funding. Commissioners expressed the need for a partner that can achieve regulatory goals while pursuing state and federal grants for a rural utility.
What commissioners said: Several commissioners said experience with wastewater systems and local staffing were decisive. Commissioner S4 said Dewberry's presentation and local team members influenced their decision. Commissioner S3 said the plant manager, Joe Harris, had endorsed Baskerville & Donovan but that Dewberry also offered a practical path to advanced treatment.
Public questions and ethics concerns: During the discussion, a member of the public (S7) questioned whether votes were influenced by business ties and suggested certain commissioners were favoring one firm; commissioners and a Dewberry representative denied any ethics violation. City staff clarified that a named individual referenced during the meeting was a subcontractor to Dewberry, not a Dewberry employee.
Dewberry's pitch and technical points: Robert Beltran, who identified himself as Dewberry's technical expert, told the commission the firm's approach would be adaptable to future Advanced Wastewater Treatment (AWT) upgrades, described trade-offs in aeration and blower horsepower, and pledged operator training and start-up support.
What happens next: Commissioners and staff said the awarded prime engineer is expected to coordinate with local firms where appropriate and to begin negotiating contract terms for state approval. The city will proceed toward design submittals and grant applications; the commission asked staff to ensure Dewberry consult with other local engineers during design and funding work.
The commission concluded the item by reiterating that selection does not preclude collaboration: commissioners urged Dewberry to involve Baskerville & Donovan or other local firms in the work as subcontractors or partners.
Ending: The commission moved to the next agenda item after the award; details about the contract terms and the negotiated scope will be returned to the commission for approval as part of the contracting process.
