Coastal advisory committee approves $293,606 work order for hard‑bottom monitoring

The Collier County Coastal Advisory Committee on an audible voice vote approved a work order for CSA Ocean Sciences Inc. to conduct post‑construction hard‑bottom monitoring tied to the county beach nourishment project in summer 2026.

Staff read the recommendation into the record, describing the work order as time‑and‑materials “not to exceed $293,606,” funded with tourist development tax under Professional Services Agreement 22‑8015. The staff member said the tasks and overall prices are essentially the same as previously proposed but that the payment method had to remain time and materials rather than a lump sum.

Why it matters: the monitoring generates benthic and submerged aquatic vegetation data used for compliance and permitting, and committee members said the new data could become part of post‑construction documentation shared with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Committee members questioned whether SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) monitoring was included and whether the cost was consistent with previous years. The vice chair moved approval with the understanding that SAV work is included; a colleague seconded. After a brief exchange affirming the cost aligns with prior years, the chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried.

A staff member said the expected monitoring data would be available later in the summer and, if obtained in time, could be submitted to the Army Corps as post‑construction survey information. The motion authorized the chair to execute the work order and included a statement that the item promotes tourism.

The vote was taken by voice; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript. The committee took no further amendments to the work order at the meeting.