Council approves bid waiver, contracts appraisals for NW 59th Avenue extension

The Miami Lakes Town Council approved a bid waiver and work order awarding appraisal services for the Northwest 59th Avenue extension project to Walter Duke & Partners. The motion carried on a voice vote after council discussion about procurement and cost.

Manager Peterman described the request as "a bid waiver and, work order to Walter Duke and Partners," saying the firm is "an appraisal company, very well known, that we've used in the past" and that the work is budgeted in the project's capital account. Peterman and other staff explained Walter Duke's familiarity with the project's legal appraisal requirements — including experience in an eminent-domain process on a related warehouse matter — as the primary justification for bypassing a standard bidding process.

Vice Mayor Moreira questioned the waiver, asking why the town would bypass procurement. He asked: "why are we waiving, you know, the, the bid process and not just going through it?" Staff responded that the town's new procurement charter permits waivers for professional services and that the firm's specialized experience and timing concerns supported the recommendation. Peterman noted the price exceeded the $50,000 administrative threshold, which is why the council needed to approve it.

The mayor moved the item and Councilmember Garcia seconded. The council approved the waiver by voice vote and the work order will proceed; staff noted the expectation that Walter Duke's familiarity with prior legal appraisal processes would reduce later costs and delays.