Riviera Beach utility board hears water‑plant progress as residents raise infrastructure concerns

RIVIERA BEACH — Contractors and consultants told the Riviera Beach Utility District board on June 17 that work on the city’s multi‑package water‑plant project is progressing, while several residents urged the board to address aging pipes and recent water‑quality problems before new development further strains the system.

Nigel Grace of Brown and Caldwell, the owner's representative for the water‑plant project, said the program includes six guaranteed‑maximum‑price packages that are all at different stages of work. “Glitches are beginning to pop up — procurement challenges, permitting challenges — but everything we’re seeing is normal and customary for projects at this early stage,” Grace said, and he flagged a time‑sensitive FDPSRF loan application on the agenda that needs to move forward.

Omar Rodriguez, representing the joint venture, gave phased updates: GMP2 is advancing electrical work and hardscape grading; GMP3 — the Floridian wells — has two of four wells drilled; GMP4 is completing cementing of the 34‑inch casing for a deep injection well; and procurement and permitting work continues for later packages. The board was also told the overall program is a large, multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar construction effort.

Michael Miller of US Water said his firm is in closeout procedures, assessing excess materials for possible resale or restocking, and reviewing a pilot study that — if pursued — would require additional infrastructure investment. “I don’t have those numbers right now, to be honest,” Miller said.

Brandon Tracy of Global Tech said the firm completed a new monitoring well, overhauled some field flow meters and finished two wells, with the immediate objective of bringing the well field into compliance for the sanitary survey referenced in the 2022–2023 report.

The board and staff repeatedly noted that two items were time‑sensitive: the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan application and bond financing for the project. The SRF loan item was identified as 7A on the agenda; financing was listed as 7B. Board members discussed prioritizing those items so deadlines would not be missed.

During public comment, residents pressed the board on system capacity and household impacts. Rochelle Hughes asked how many new housing units the existing plant can safely serve as multiple condo projects along Military Trail and Broadway move forward and raised recent boil‑water incidents.

Lloyd Brown described brown water and clogged household valves, asking whether the district would reimburse homeowners who must repair fixtures damaged by water quality or system work. “Are y’all going to help us out?” Brown asked, saying he and neighbors have seen corrosion and valves that fail.

Doretta Polk said recent pipe work caused vibrations she feared would damage her home’s foundation and said many neighborhoods lack modern underground infrastructure. Polk said she spoke with district staff previously and wants the board to consider protections and assistance for older homeowners who may be harmed as construction proceeds.

Board members acknowledged the concerns and reiterated project timelines and the need to address time‑sensitive funding items. Vice Chair Priscilla Davis‑Penner moved to recess the Utility District meeting until after the city council meeting so members could attend; Bruce Guyton seconded. The motion passed on a 3–2 roll call vote, with Shirley Lanier and Keshia B. Miller Anderson dissenting. The board planned to reconvene after the council meeting to continue work on the remaining agenda items.

No final vote on the SRF loan application or bond financing was recorded in the Utility District portion of the meeting; staff indicated those items are time‑sensitive and will be addressed promptly when the board resumes.