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Commission approves observation deck contract, chooses wood decking and movable benches
Summary
Commissioners voted 4–1 to award the observation‑deck contract and to build the deck of wood with movable wood benches; the manager had said the lowest responsive bid (including alternates) totaled $82,820 and the project was budgeted within a $150,000 appropriation.
The Town Commission of Jupiter Inlet Colony voted 4–1 to proceed with a local observation‑deck project and directed staff to award the contract consistent with the low, responsive bid and the commission’s material choices.
Town Manager Heidi Seigel summarized the procurement: the town budgeted $150,000 for the project; design and bidding assistance cost $51,600, leaving roughly $99,000 available. The lowest responsive bid, including alternates for composite benches and composite decking/rail, totaled $82,820. Seigel said converting the deck to composite decking would add about $15,000 and selecting composite benches would add about $9,600.
Commission discussion weighed durability, slipperiness and aesthetics. One commissioner favored composite materials; another argued wood better matches existing benches and drove the final decision. During public comment, resident Jerry Burke supported the platform as a viewing amenity but warned the commission not to open access through protected mangroves; the mayor and staff repeatedly said there were no plans to alter mangrove protections.
The commission clarified benches will be movable but secured during use. The motion to proceed with the deck using wood decking and movable wood benches passed on a 4–1 vote; one commissioner opposed, citing safety and neighborhood‑access concerns.
Next steps: staff will finalize the contract award and present a notice to proceed and any selected alternates based on the commission’s directions.
