City manager outlines timelines for road, drainage and FEMA buyout projects

At the regular Diamondhead City Council meeting, the city manager delivered a detailed update on infrastructure work affecting several neighborhoods.

The manager said the Coney Drive/California Pond contractor has requested a 31-day extension because of weather-related delays, moving the project's completion to Aug. 17 if the council approves the change order. "If approved tonight, the new end date will be August 17," the manager said.

Why it matters: the extension shifts the project timeline and short-term traffic impacts in the affected area but, according to the manager, will allow the contractor to finish needed repairs to road damage and complete the final lift of asphalt.

Other road work: the manager reported base repairs on Bayou Drive are complete and crews will allow the base to harden and compact before proof roll and final asphalt. The manager said the project currently lists an end date of Sept. 21. He explained crews may need to address pockets of remaining asphalt before the final overlay to provide a smoother finished surface.

MDOT roundabout and multimodal path: the manager said the final roundabout work and the multimodal path are nearly complete. In response to a council question about markings and separation between vehicles and the multimodal lane, the manager said, "they should have any kind of signage and other indicators," and described the path as "sidewalk-ish," not separated by guardrails.

Drainage and dredging: the canal dredging project is out for bid; bids are due Aug. 13 and, if within budget, the city expects to award the contract and proceed. The manager also said Pelican Cove and Cocoa Street projects are separate efforts—Cocoa Street requires erosion control and bank stabilization, while Pelican Cove needs reestablished banks and pond cleaning near the golf course.

Grant-funded items and procurement: the hazard mitigation grant procurement for portable generators returned higher-than-expected prices; the manager said the city may reject those bids and reword the specifications for rebidding.

FEMA buyout program: the manager said one property on the buyout list sold before contact and staff will re-run appraisals if owners remain interested. He confirmed that properties acquired through FEMA buyouts are intended to remain restricted as green space under federal terms and will be owned by the city under those restrictions. "The city will own it, and it'll be deed restricted for green space only," the manager said, noting benches and limited park amenities may be permitted with caution.

Next steps: the manager said staff will bring some items back to council in October for budget consideration and that several projects remain on track though some timelines may shift. The council recessed to continue budget work on July 29 at 5 p.m.

Sources: statements by the City Manager during the council meeting.