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Commission directs bids for observation deck; asks for two bid options (with and without benches)
Summary
Town engineer presented plans for a 12-foot observation deck behind mangroves, budgeted at $150,000 with $51,000 for design and construction management. Commissioners discussed materials, pile depth and whether to include benches; staff was instructed to bid the project both with benches and without and return with bid results.
The commission reviewed plans and budget estimates for a proposed observation deck behind the mangroves and directed staff to solicit bids in two configurations: with benches and without benches.
Town engineer/designer presented a plan for a 12‑foot wide deck sited roughly 8 feet east of existing mangroves, explaining elevation choices (bottom of deck at about 5 feet, top of handrail about 8.5 feet) to place the deck above the mangrove canopy. The project is budgeted at $150,000 for the fiscal year; the design and construction‑management contract with the consultant (Kim Mayborn in the packet) was listed at $51,000, leaving roughly $99,000 for construction pending bids.
Engineers said pile foundations will be timber piles with the main structural members timber as well and that decking could be composite or real wood. They said using 6‑foot hand‑dug piles would reduce heavy equipment impacts and that shallower, more numerous piles were chosen to avoid disturbing existing pavers and landscaping. Commissioners raised concerns about maintenance and slipperiness, noting composite decking is less likely to splinter but both materials have similar expected lifespans and costs according to the presentation.
There was also community input in the packet and in public comment about leaving the deck flexible and not permanently installing seating; the commission settled on a directive to have two bid options (with benches and without benches) and to return with bids for a budget‑based decision. The commission did not authorize construction at this meeting but directed staff to bid the work and report back.
Key facts: - Budgeted in current fiscal year: $150,000. - Design/CM contract in packet: $51,000. - Intended deck width: 12 feet (with three‑foot landscape buffers each side on an ~20‑foot parcel). - Proposed piles: timber, embedded ~6 feet (hand‑dug to avoid heavy equipment); decking: composite or wood.
Next steps: staff will solicit bids for two configurations and report back to the commission with cost comparisons and recommendations for materials and bench inclusion.
