Council approves airport construction change order and 'USA' public-art project

The Vero Beach City Council approved multiple operational and public-works items during its consent agenda and related discussion.

Council voted to authorize Change Order 2 to Work Order 20 with Hanson Professional Services for construction-administration services on the airport terminal rehabilitation project ($99,778). Councilmember John Carroll questioned scope details including staging, potential additional days and whether driveway/restoration work was included; Hanson representative John Thompson said several potential change orders had been assumed and that some items (such as more extensive driveway modifications) might be deferred to future task orders. Airport Director Todd Scher said conceptual designs existed for traffic flow and noted some FAA/ADA considerations tied to passenger growth.

Separately, the council approved a Grant of Electric Easement to Florida Power & Light for airport property and approved a PFAS treatment pilot study work order for CHA Consulting; Water & Sewer Director Rob Bolton briefed the council on PFAS background, previous testing limits and the need for follow-up pilot work to meet evolving federal standards.

Council also approved Councilmember Linda Moore’s proposal to paint large "USA" letters (concept approved without palm trees) on wastewater-treatment silos near Aviation Boulevard and U.S. 1, voting to proceed with the selected concept and vendor approach. The public-art motion passed unanimously, and councilmembers noted a future need to standardize public-art processes for City property.

All motions described above carried by unanimous vote.