From David Volz
The Fort Lauderdale commission made decisions that will affect all residents during a recent meeting.
The Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance to adjust the schedule of rates and charges for sanitation collection, disposal, and operating costs. The current ordinance established a 4% annual increase beginning in fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2024. Recent market challenges and contract changes have increased collection costs and processing and disposal fees, requiring that the sanitation rates be increased to better reflect the true cost of services and to retain appropriate fund reserves.
The amended ordinance proposes solid waste and disposal charges would be adjusted to a 5% annual increase, effective October 1, 2024, and each year thereafter, unless the Commission takes action to increase, decrease, or eliminate the adjustment. For fiscal year 2025, this adjustment represents an increase of $2.38 per month for a single-family residential home.
The Commission approved an initial three-year agreement for waterway cleaning and algal controls for $3.7 million, with an option to authorize two additional one-year agreements for a potential total contract amount of $6.2 million. Regular maintenance and cleaning of the City’s 165 miles of navigable waterways is critical for the health of these waterways, which include lakes, canals, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Specialized equipment is required for the removal of debris such as trees, dock pilings, animal carcasses, and more that can be floating, submerged, stuck under docks, or intertwined with vegetation. In addition to debris removal, the contract contains provisions to request chemical and mechanical controls, if needed, to address safety and health needs of the waterway in the event of an algal bloom or waterway spills.
The Commission approved an agreement for the Tarpon River A-11 Sewer Basin Rehabilitation Project Phase 2 with Inliner Solutions, LLC for $2.4 million. The project includes the lining of the mainline gravity sewers and lateral piping, clean-out installation, root and grease removal, sectional liners, and pre- and post-closed circuit television surveys.
The Commission approved the final ranking of firms, negotiated fee schedule, and agreement for professional civil engineering services related to the Critical Stormwater Infrastructure Condition Assessment Program for an initial five-year term of $2.8 million. There’s an option to approve two additional two-year terms for a potential total contract amount of $5.1 million. Services include construction engineering inspection and program management of contractors who will be conducting stormwater cleaning, maintenance, dewatering, and by-pass stormwater operations in City rights-of-way, as well as other professional consulting services.
The Commission approved the purchase and sale agreement for property located at 2201 NE 19th Street with plans to develop the area as a park, which will be funded by the Parks Bond. The purchase amount is not to exceed $1.74 million. The property, which is approximately 19,287 square feet, includes a rectangular-shaped lot with a building that will be demolished by the seller before closing.
The Commission accepted a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for $300,000 for participation in the Middle River Water Quality Improvement Project. The City previously approved an interlocal agreement with the City of Wilton Manors and the City of Oakland Park to apply for the EPA Community Grant. The funds will be used for project planning and design to provide drinking water, wastewater, stormwater infrastructure, and water quality protection.
