Punta Gorda approves living‑shoreline pilot and $653,300 sewer‑cleaning truck

The Punta Gorda City Council on July 1 approved two procurement items intended to strengthen coastal resilience and improve storm‑response operations.

Staff recommended awarding a state grant‑funded contract for design and construction of a pilot living shoreline in Charlotte Harbor to AP TIM Environmental Infrastructure LLC. Procurement reported one responsive proposal and that it negotiated approximately $30,500 in savings; the total contract amount presented to council was about $172,333.78. Staff said the project will use state grant funds for monitoring and construction and that design work will improve water quality and coastal habitat.

Separately, the council approved purchase of a Jetback combination sewer cleaner (vac truck) for $653,300.50. Dave Meyers, right‑of‑way supervisor, said the equipment will allow crews to remove mud and debris from roads and gutters before it enters storm drains and pipes — improving response after heavy rain and reducing pipe blockages: “This is a very key piece of equipment for us,” he said.

Both items were approved by motion and voice vote; council recorded that both motions carried. Staff said the sewer‑cleaning truck purchase came in under the department’s $700,000 budgeted amount and that the living‑shoreline procurement followed state grant rules with due‑diligence documentation submitted to the granting agency.

Next steps: staff will finalize contracts, begin design and procurement tasks for the living shoreline, and schedule delivery and deployment milestones for the new equipment.