TO: Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr, County Administrator
Sean C. Lieske, Director of Utility Services
Howard G. Richards PE, Capital Projects Manager
FROM: Duke R. Hawkins, Operations Manager Collections and Distribution
WRITTEN BY: Harrison D. Youngblood PE, Principal Engineer
DATE: August 20, 2025
SUBJECT: Work Order No. 6 for Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd. for Lift Station 1201 Upgrade, Captain Hiram’s Resort, IRCDUS Project ID: 21.25.504
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BACKGROUND
Indian River County Department of Utility Services (IRCDUS) owns and operates lift station 1201 (LS 1201), which services the Captain Hiram’s restaurant, resort, villas, and shops located in the vicinity of 1606 Indian River Drive, Sebastian. The existing station was originally only designed for the flows associated with the restaurant, however over the years other areas of the resort were connected to the station via gravity sewer extensions without upgrading the volume or other appurtenances of the lift station. The station has become increasingly difficult to operate and maintain for IRCDUS due to the additional flows, lack of upgrades, and proximity of the station to the restaurant after a previous building expansion. The amount of flow the station sees vs. the wet well volume leads to a very minimal hold time in the well, which does not provide IRCDUS with adequate response time in the event of an emergency situation. Coupling the inadequate well holding time with the proximity of the station to the Indian River Lagoon it has become imperative that we upgrade the station to provide our customers and residents with the best service not only on an everyday basis, but more importantly, during an emergency event where the potential for community and environmental impacts is heightened.
IRCDUS reached out to Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd., under a continuing consulting services contract 2023015, to provide a proposal for engineering services consisting of conceptual design, engineering design, permitting, bid documents and bidding assistance, and construction observation and certification associated with the upgrade needed for LS 1201 located at Captain Hiram’s.
Work Order (WO) 6 outlines the services needed to begin the process of the station upgrade. The new lift station will require an easement over the subject property, and an open-cut crossing of Indian River Drive. Bowman will provide an exhibit to illustrate the proposed work and attend meetings with the roadway authority and property owner. Preparation of the easement documents, including sketch and legal description, will be the responsibility of IRCDUS. The consultant will prepare engineering design plans and lift station report to support the permitting and construction of a lift station at the southeast corner of 1615 Indian River Drive. The engineering plans will also illustrate the modifications to the existing sanitary collection system required to route flow to the new lift station. The existing force main along the west side of the Indian River Drive will be relocated to allow installation of the proposed terminal manhole. Using the documents produced, the consultant will apply for a City of Sebastian (CoS) right of way permit, as well as a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) wastewater construction general permit.
Bowman will also prepare bid documents and specifications to support a public bid. This task shall include attendance of the pre-bid and bid opening, assistance addressing requests for information (RFI) during the bid process, and a recommendation of bid award. IRCDUS staff will provide daily oversight of construction. Bowman shall provide construction observation and certification services, including shop drawing review and response to contractor requests for clarification (RFC). Upon completion of construction, the projects conformance to contract documents shall be certified to CoS (Right of Way), FDEP, and IRCDUS.
Bowman's proposal is for $57,440 to cover the tasks identified above. In addition, we will hold $2,560, or just under 5%, as contingency for any unknown issues that might arise during the various phases of the design and bidding processes. The amount of the proposal in addition to the funds set aside for contingency purposes total $60,000, which is the total requested for the proposed Work Order.
ANALYSIS
Staff desire to move forward with the Bowman WO 6 proposal to begin the process of upgrading the lift station.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
Expenses, in the amount of $60,000, for this project will be recorded in the Utilities/WIP/Lift Station 1201 Upgrade account, number 471-169000-25504. Since this is an operating capital project, the funds will come from fund balance. Operating funds are derived from water and sewer sales.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
Award of construction for the Lift Station 1201 Upgrade (Captain Hiram’s Resort) project.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
Infrastructure: Planning, constructing, managing, and maintaining critical public infrastructure in response to our current needs, future demands, and the expectations of our community; embracing innovation, technology, and resiliency.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners approve Work Order No. 6 for Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd., for the Lift Station 1201 Upgrade (Captain Hiram’s Resort) project in the amount of $57,440 plus $2,560 for contingency and authorize the Chair to execute the same. So long as there are no changes in the dollar amount under the work order and upon adequate completion of the services set forth in the work order, staff is directed to make final payment to Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd.