Board’s award of the Request for Proposals (RFP), with only minor revisions remaining prior to execution. The agreement established a maximum contract amount of $525,000, including a contingency allowance, and KDL was prepared to begin construction immediately upon contract execution.
The General Manager explained that during project planning and site review with the contractor, it became evident that constructing the pathway on the north side of Sun ’n Lake Boulevard would present significant challenges due to residential development that had occurred since the grant was awarded approximately 18 months earlier. Approximately 18 new homes have been built, resulting in numerous driveways and drainage culverts that would require relocation, increasing construction costs and the likelihood of changing orders.
The contractor evaluated relocating the pathway to the south side of Sun ’n Lake Boulevard and determined the alignment would require fewer driveway connections, minimal utility conflicts, and would reduce construction costs by approximately $42,000. Staff noted that the revised alignment would provide a 6.5-foot-wide concrete pathway extending from Cortez Boulevard to the Nature Preserve, including the crossing at Balboa Avenue, while meeting all requirements of the ARPA grant. Solar streetlights could be relocated without additional cost, and Duke Energy had indicated that any necessary pole support adjustments would also be completed at no cost to the District.
District legal counsel confirmed that the original RFP described the project as construction of a sidewalk along Sun ’n Lake Boulevard between Cortez Boulevard and Balboa Avenue and did not specify whether the pathway would be located on the north or south side of the roadway. Therefore, relocating the project to the south side would not require issuing a new Request for Proposals.
During Board discussion, concerns were expressed regarding whether relocating the pathway could affect eligibility for RPAC grant reimbursement. Staff advised that the grant application likewise did not specify the north or south side of the roadway and that the revised alignment continued to satisfy all grant requirements. Staff further stated that Highlands County Parks and Recreation staff had confirmed the project would remain eligible for reimbursement upon completion and inspection, provided it met the approved project criteria.
A Board member requested that the contract reflect the anticipated cost savings prior to execution. Staff agreed and recommended approving the contract at a revised maximum amount of $483,000, reflecting the contractor’s $42,000 reduction while maintaining the project contingency.
- Public comment.
- Rhonda Berish expressed concern that the District had several ongoing capital projects that remained unfinished and questioned beginning another project before completing existing work. She stated that staff appeared overextended and urged the Board to focus on completing current projects before undertaking additional ones.
- Scott Kirouac, Highlands County Commissioner, stated for the record that he understood the engineering plans included in the bid documents depicted the pathway on the north side of Sun ’n Lake Boulevard and expressed concern that relocating the project to the south side after bidding could raise procurement and transparency issues. He emphasized the County’s responsibility to ensure taxpayer funds were used appropriately and stated he