August 8, 2023

  1. Minutes

Community Redevelopment Agency

Regular Meeting

August 8, 2023

 

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, August 8, 2023.

Call to Order/Determination of a Quorum

Chairperson Diesel called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Chairperson Daniel Diesel, Vice-Chairperson Joe Robinson and Members Herman Cole, Jr. Col USAF Retired, Jo Lynn Nelson, Dr. Sarah Stoeckel, Greg Aker and Jim Ball, Executive Director Scott Larese, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Attorney Richard Broome, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell were also present. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell completed the minutes of the meeting. 

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance 

Chairperson Diesel asked for a moment of silence and then led the entire assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell read the procedure for public comment.

Approval of Minutes – 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, as submitted. Vice-Chair Robinson seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously. 

Special Recognitions and Presentations – None.

Old Business – None. 

New Business 

 

Award of Contract - Downtown Riverfront Walkway Project – Executive Director Larese advised that the request was to recommend to City Council to approve the award of contract to Rush Marine of Titusville, FL in the amount of $998,656. Additionally, approve associated budget amendment and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract.

 

On June 15, 2023, the City advertised the project, 1160 contractors including 43 local contractors downloaded the bid package via DemandStar. A non-mandatory pre-bid was held on June 27, 2023 with 5 vendors in attendance.

 

On July 20, 2023 at the City's bid opening, three vendors provided submittals with the following bid tabulation:

  • Rush Marine Titusville, FL $998,656.00
  • C&D Construction Cocoa, FL $1,458,705.00
  • Granite Construction Co of CA Tampa, FL $2,654,811.00

 

It was recommended that the Community Redevelopment Agency recommend to City Council the approval of the award of contract to Rush Marine of Titusville, FL in the amount of $998,656. Additionally, approve associated budget amendment and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract.

 

Member Stoeckel asked why there was a significant price difference in the quotes received. Public Works Director Kevin Cook stated that Rush Construction built an expansion for a pier at the same park for Brevard County about two years ago, so they had local knowledge of the waterways for that location. 

 

Vice-Mayor Robinson stated that he was in support of this project.

 

Mayor Diesel stated that he was in support of this project and hoped it would be in Titusville for hundreds of years.

 

Member Nelson stated that the she expected the cost to be lower, however Rush Construction’s cost was significantly lower than the other two bids. 

 

Member Ball requested that the cover documentation for major projects included the strategic plan that was being addressed as well as the impact of the strategic plan and also link it back to the Downtown Redevelopment Plan. 

 

Member Cole stated that he was concerned about the differences in the bid prices, but he knew that Rush Construction was a reputable company that has completed a lot of projects for Parrish Medical Center. 

 

Member Aker stated that he was in support of this project because it would enhance the community and give people a reason to come to downtown Titusville. 

 

Stan Johnston stated that he was concerned with this project and did not support the cost of the project. He also comment of the sewage spill that occurred in December of 2020. 

 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to recommend to City Council to approve the award of contract to Rush Marine of Titusville, FL in the amount of $998,656. Additionally, approve associated budget amendment and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract, as recommended. Member Cole seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followed:

 

Member Aker                          Yes

Member Cole                          Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Chairman Diesel                     Yes 

Vice-Chair Robinson              Yes

Member Ball                           Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes 

 

The motion carried unanimously.

Petitions and Request from the Public Present

 

Stan Johnston stated that he was a professional registered engineer and discussed an email that he sent to City staff. Mr. Johnston discussed reports that he made to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, etc. 

Executive Directors Report

Executive Director Larese submitted his written report and advised that all items were informational only. 

Executive Director Larese stated that the force main project that ran from the South Street lift station up to the Osprey Plant mobilized the contractor on August 7, 2023. He expected the road closures to begin on August 9, 2023 at the South Street lift station. He stated that on the City of Titusville’s website, there was a list of the upcoming road closures. The contractor expected the project to be completed by the end of the year.

 

Vice-Mayor Robinson asked how the road closures would affect the Christmas Parade. Executive Director Larese stated that he did not expect it to affect the Christmas Parade. 

 

Member Nelson stated that the project included taking sewer lines off the Indian River Lagoon and moving them so that if there was ever a problem, sewage would not go into the Indian River Lagoon.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:52 p.m.