HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Emergency_07/23/2010 MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEOUESTA
SPECIAL EMERGENCY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
July 23, 2010
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 10:34 a.m. A roll call was taken by
Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Tom Paterno,
Council Member Jim Humpage and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance
were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo Jr., Village Clerk Lori McWilliams and Lt. Pitocchelli.
Council Member Arena and Village Attorney White were absent.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved approval of the agenda as presented,
seconded by Vice -Mayor Paterno; motion carried unanimously 4 -0.
1. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Tequesta Drive Bridge
Village Manager Couzzo explained the emergency meeting was called because the
FDOT was giving the contractors instructions that the Council needed to provide. He
explained the new initiative had shifted from the overall project to a focus solely on the
bridge tasks as they related to opening the bridge to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Bridge opening work would entail: drainage, gravity and barrier walls, protective fencing
on north side, asphalt pavement markings, north side concrete sidewalk and bridge
lighting. The items taking a secondary focus would be: spandrels and installation,
modification to the existing retaining walls, south pedestrian sidewalk, railings,
landscaping, pole lighting and pavers.
He explained the goal, if Council desired, would be to open the bridge prior to 100%
completion to two -way vehicle traffic and the northbound pedestrian walkway.
He noted Mr. Nissen of FDOT was willing to provide acceleration pay to the contractor
to work additional hours and weekends contingent upon funds being available in the
budget. If the funds were not available, he explained the Village would be responsible
at a cost of approximately $7000 /week for approximately 3 -4 weeks. He reminded
Council it cost an additional $77,000 a month or roughly $4,000 a/day for every
month /day AIM Engineering remained on the project. He stressed the importance of
completing the project as quickly and safely as possible while minimizing the impact to
residents and additional costs to the Village. He mentioned the contractor had passed
the timeframe to receive incentive money for early completion.
Manager Couzzo reviewed the AIM engineering costs and noted Council could ask
FDOT to reconsider funding allocation for AIM engineering which was initially estimated
to be 10% - 12% of the construction costs which were approximately $2.4 million
Minutes — Special Council Meeting — 7/23/10
Page 2
($240,000 - $288,000). The Village budgeted $360,000 and then FDOT contracted with
AIM for $490,000 thereby esstentially making the Village responsible for the additional
$130,000, however staff would dispute. He further noted that AIM would need to be on
the job for at least an additional month due to the 5 -6 rain days and the 20 day bridge
design delay due to the Village's engineer calculation errors.
He reviewed the options Council had available:
1. Remain with the current initiative and get the bridge deck complete and consider
opening the bridge in both directions and the north bound pedestrian walkway prior
to 100% completion.
2. Keep the initiative but not open the bridge until it was 100% complete.
3. Continue to push Sheltra and give them acceleration, and work with the State to see
if there was funding.
The Manager stated the date for opening prior to 100% completion would be Monday,
August 16, 2010; both lanes open and the north bound pedestrian walkway with a fence
installed for safety. If Council wanted to wait until 100% completion it would be August
30, 2010. Mr. Couzzo explained that if the bridge opened on August 16, 2010 prior to
total completion, then the total completion date would be pushed back to September 6,
2010.
Mayor Watkins pointed out school opened on August 18, 2010. Council Member
Humpage noted the Village was paying $1200 - $1400 per day for public safety on the
west side. Vice Mayor Paterno referenced the additional days added to the schedule
due to rain and engineering delays and asked at what point a fine would be imposed.
He commented on the scenario of AIM not releasing the project at which time additional
monies would be due to AIM. Manager Couzzo noted AIM's costs would be prorated
based on use.
In response to Council Member Turnquest, the Manager confirmed the cleanup portion
of the project would include night work from approximately 11 p.m. — 7:00 a.m. Mayor
Watkins clarified there would be periodic land closures if Council opened the bridge to
two -way traffic.
Council Member Turnquest asked about the previous one lane opening option and the
Manger stated there was no need for a one lane opening at this time.
Council Member Humpage reviewed the options and associated costs as relayed by the
Manager.
Minutes – Special Council Meeting – 7/23/10
Page 3
Vice -Mayor Paterno suggested the Village be credited by AIM for the rain days since
they did not need to work those dates and the Manager explained how the rain days
were managed.
Vice -Mayor Paterno asked that the bridge dedication be held during the Tequesta Fest.
Mr. Couzzo reminded Council the Tequesta Fest would be held at Paradise Park and
noted the dedication on the bridge would take approximately 1 hour. Mayor Watkins
suggested a reception with cookies at Constitution Park.
MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved to approve Option 1 with the bridge opening
on August 16, 2010 to two way traffic, opening the northbound pedestrian walkway, allowing
night work to accelerate completion, with the total completion of the bridge to take place on or
before September 6, 2010 and authorizing possible acceleration pay for the contractor;
seconded by Council Member Humpage; motion carried unanimously 4 -0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTI ON: Council Member Turnquest moved to adjourn; seconded by Council Member
Humpage; the motion to adjourn carried unanimously 4 -0; therefore, the meeting was
adjourned at 11:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mao �& alp
Lori McWilliams, MMC
Village Clerk
Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim
audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.