Port Richey council approves original Phase 2 dredging engineering scope after residents urge action

Port Richey — The City Council voted at a special meeting to approve the original Phase 2 engineering proposal to advance dredging permits and surveys, following public comments urging the city to speed work on shallow canals.

Residents who live on Blue Point Drive and nearby canals told the council the waterways are heavily silted and impair boat access. "We have a huge problem in our canal, specifically with it being extremely shallow," said Michael Schwab, a Port Richey resident, who asked the council for "some overview and some progress and momentum on the dredging" effort. Amos Owens, another Blue Point Drive resident, said the culverts under Old Post appear to be carrying silt into local canals and leaving them tide-dependent: "Every time it rains, all the silt ... is winding up in our canal," he said.

Staff presented three fee options for Phase 2 work — described in the packet as an original proposal of $106,282.75, a larger alternate scope, and a newly updated proposal listed at $140,071.83 — and said the contract work focuses on preparing 60% design drawings, submitting FDP and U.S. Army Corps permit applications, and conducting additional hydrographic and seagrass surveys. Staff emphasized the work is time-sensitive because an earlier seagrass survey in the file is nearing its expiration; meeting materials said the team must meet a September deadline to include responses before that survey lapses.

During discussion, one council member moved to reject the new additions and proceed with the original $106,282.75 proposal to avoid immediate additional cost. Council members questioned the variances in fee figures; one member said the $140,071.83 number was unexpectedly high, while staff said the practical cost difference between the original and the updated packet figure was smaller — staff cited roughly a $9,539 difference in their exchange with the engineer and noted that many survey tasks would happen regardless of final scope.

The chair called for a voice vote and the motion carried; the council approved the original proposal as listed in the packet (staff cited item number 01/8275) with no changes. Staff said isolated areas such as a sandbar near Waterfront Park could be addressed later through separate permitting if the council chose to do so.

The meeting closed with a motion to adjourn; members were reminded of the regular meeting schedule on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6 p.m.

Why it matters: The approved Phase 2 work advances required designs and federal permitting steps needed before dredging can begin. Residents said the canal conditions are affecting safety, navigation and tourism; staff said permitting and required environmental surveys take time and will dictate when physical dredging can be executed.