Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/124273
Sarasota News Leader April 26, 2013 Page 40 Management District (SWFWMD) regarding increased grant funds to cover the higher cost of the stormwater project. "So far, the discussions have been positive," Eastwood pointed out. "I still have some heartburn with this," Commissioner Joe Barbetta said. "Obviously, a major mistake has been made along the way," he continued, adding his disappointment that Erickson Consulting Engineers had no liability exposure for its underestimation. When The SWFWMD Governing Board will meet on the commissioners discussed the matter on April 30, Eastwood said, with the request for March 19, he suggested staff pursue malpracextra funding on the agenda. County staff had tice options against Erickson. supplied the documentation supporting the in"It's a $3 million hit, and it's not easy to just crease, she added, "and I'm hopeful we will sit back and not wonder why," he added on get some additional funding." April 23. A press release from SWFWMD says the orNonetheless, he said, "I want the project to go ganization will hold the meeting at 9 a.m. on forward." April 30 at the Tampa Service Office, located Commissioner Charles Hines concurred with at 7601 Highway 301 North, Tampa. Barbetta. "[The project] has to get done; we Originally, SWFWMD had agreed to reimburse all agree on that. But [for Erickson] to forgo a the county up to $975,000 for the project after portion of their estimating fee is kind of funny it was completed. Delays in starting the work when they totally missed their estimation." put those funds in jeopardy at one point. Barbetta also pointed out that the SWFWMD "Should we be approving this [agenda item] money comes from taxpayers, just as the before we know whether we get the funding?" county funds do. Patterson asked of the new request. Patterson finally made the motion to approve "Just the opposite," Eastwood replied, noting a budget amendment for the extra $2.7 milthe original grant has deadlines that have to lion cost of the project and to award the bid to Forsberg; Robinson seconded the motion. be met. "We're already late, actually," Patterson said, The project should take about 190 days, acreferring to the delays in completing the cording to a staff memo prepared for the County Commission, with completion set for stormwater project. November. "The project is permitted to be "It is rough to come up with this [extra] mon- constructed during turtle nesting season and ey," Patterson said. "Of all the mis-bids, this is the design reflects concern for nesting turthe biggest I've ever seen." tles," the April 23 memo notes. %