During the meeting, the opening of bids for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) focused on the city’s efforts to mitigate stormwater infiltration into the sewer system. The project aims to line the water mains and pump station wet wells, incorporating a rain pan to enhance the system’s efficiency. Five bids were submitted, with Atlantic Pipe Services proposing $431,010.11, GCU at $489,886.35, Marshall Brothers at $628,069.00, National Water Main Cleaning Company at $1,239,472.64, and Vortex at $566,374.50.

Spectre Shield and AGR liner, both of which come with a ten-year warranty, were the only pre-approved materials. The council noted the significance of the material quality and past performance in deciding the best bid. The final decision will be made after a review, with an award recommendation expected at the next council meeting.

Another topic was the outfall bid award for the Hurricane Sally recovery project. This project involves sediment removal from the bay, which has been deposited through the stormwater system. The low bid of $6,295 was submitted by HD Harders, who had all the required paperwork in order. The council recommended awarding the contract to HD Harders, emphasizing that the project is majority funded by FEMA, with a small percentage covered by the state and city.

Additionally, the council touched on the Community Rating System (CRS) information, which will be further discussed in a future meeting. Members were encouraged to review the provided materials and direct any questions to the designated point person.