The Varrea development’s multiple public hearings were the star of the show at last week’s commission meeting. However, a few other important items also filled the packed agenda.
Commissioners agreed to modify a work order with Hydro Solutions Inc. After the CIP Engineering Manager in the Utilities Department left the city decided to use the services of an outside consultant to carry out “critical duties. These duties include development plan review, attendance at pre-construction meetings, project management services, review of Capital Improvement Project (CIP) information and project coordination.”
On May 27 a work order was was executed with Hydro Solutions Consulting (HSC) in the amount of $49,392.00 to provide this staff augmentation support. On Nov. 9, a CIP Engineering Manager was hired so it was determined that the HSC staff would be used to “support a smooth transfer of information and to continue support in the development review and project coordination process.”
The work order needed to be altered to reflect that, so the modification was that $45,000 is proposed for the additional staff augmentation. This brings the total CWO amount to $94,392, and it is available in the Water/Sewer Fund.
The city also agreed last week to purchase 12 new pickup trucks from various vendors. The 12 trucks are from seven different departments/divisions, including areas like Parks, Utilities Operations and the Fire Department, and the original trucks exceeded their life expectancy. The funds to replace the items were included in the fiscal year 2021 budget.
Bids were gathered and the successful bidders were: “Bartow Ford for five trucks at $180,080.00, Beck Auto Sales Inc., for six trucks at $168,971.00 and Stingray Chevrolet LLC, for one truck at $29,225.00.” All low bids were evaluated and met the combined cost for the 12 new pick-up trucks is $378,276. The Notice of Intent to Award was issued on Nov. 11.
Another large purchase was approved last Monday evening when commissioners decided to purchase a Knuckle Boom Trash Loader. The current unit — which is used for debris and trash pickup throughout the city — exceeded its life expectancy and became quite costly to maintain. The fiscal year 2021 budget included the funds to get a new unit. Eight bids came in and the lowest responsive and responsible bid was submitted by Petersen Industries, Inc. for $126,343.
Technically two other bids were lower, but the city said they “failed to comply with bid specifications by not meeting vehicle, chassis and body requirements. Both bids were rejected for not meeting specifications.”
The spending spree didn’t stop there. The city was also approved to purchase four vehicles that would be spread out among the Parks & Recreation, Utilities Maintenance and Utilities Operations departments and divisions. Much like the other vehicles, these had “exceeded their life expectancy” and there were funds in the current fiscal year’s budget to replace them.
Bids received from Bartow Ford for these vehicles at $181,943 were evaluated and determined to meet the city’s specifications. The city will use money in the Fleet Replacement Fund to purchase a 3/4 ton 15 passenger van, a 1 1/2 ton mini dump truck and two 4 Dr. Crew Cab (one ton dump).
Hillsborough County reached out to the City of Plant City to request the city approve an access easement on a city road that will lead to the new Tax Collector’s office. The city acquired property from Hillsborough County on the corner of Sydney Road and Turkey Creek Road on June 17 and now needs access to the new site. The county has agreed to be responsible for the maintenance of the easement area.
Another quick item on the agenda was a resolution to set a public hearing about the city vacating a portion of Newsome Road. Essentially there is a request for the city to “vacate approximately 1,113 feet of the 50 foot wide right of way that lies west of South Wilder Loop, within the North Park Isle planned development area.”
There have been no objections from reviewing agencies. The Planning Board voted 5-0 to forward the vacate request to the commissioners.
The resolution was approved and the public hearing has been set for Jan. 11 during the city commission meeting, which will begin at 7:30 p.m.