Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
February 25, 2019
While persistent coastal fog grounded dozens of pelicans and seagulls in the Fernandina Harbor Marina on Saturday, work crews continued dredging and repair operations to return the south basin to pre-Matthew operating conditions by summer’s end.
At their February 19, 2019 Regular Meeting the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) unanimously approved two resolutions in support of marina repairs:
Resolution 2019-29: Approved a budget transfer in the amount of $500,000 in the Marina fund. Also approves Change Order #1 with Brance Diversified, Inc. and authorizes increasing the total project cost to $3,595,213.57. The City issued Invitation to Bid #18-23 for projects associated with the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina’s southern basin and the City-owned structure at 101 N. Front Street. On November 7, 2018, the City Commission awarded the bid to Brance Diversified, Inc. in the amount of $3,199,170.32. The city and its consultant seriously underestimated the quantity of dredging needed when they issued the initial bid.
Part of this project is funded by a loan from the city’s Wastewater Enterprise Fund. The amount of the Loan will be increased by an additional $500,000.
Following commencement of this project, additional work was identified related to dredging; Brance Diversified, Inc. submitted Change Order #1 in the amount of $396,043.25 for this additional work.
Resolution 2019-30: Approved Change Order #’s 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 with Cloud 9 Services, Inc. (Fender Marine Construction) related to the Southern Attenuator Project at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina and authorized reducing the total project cost to $6,037,708.22.
The City issued Invitation to Bid #18-12 for the repairs and replacement of the Southern Attenuator at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina. On July 17, 2018, the City Commission awarded the bid to Cloud 9 Services, Inc. dba Fender Marine Construction in the amount of $6,152,565.94.
Following commencement of this project, additional work was identified related to the southern wave attenuator utility trough and concrete dock. Fender Marine Construction has submitted the following Change Orders:
- Change Order #3 in the amount of $0.00 related to the divider inside of the trough;
- Change Order #4 in the amount of $42,427.86 related to the modification of lateral fenders;
- Change Order #5 in the amount of $6,874.39 related to the redesign for the mechanical and electrical systems;
- Change Order #6 in the amount of $19,095.52 related to the redesign of the pile at the wave attenuator;
- Change Order #7 in the amount of ($8,000.00) related to the engineering for the North end project building, dock and gangway;
- Change Order #8 in the amount of $427,861.14 related to the pile size increase;
- Change Order #9 in the amount of ($739,597.28) related to the removal of the demolition of the overwater building, gangway, new building foundation, new fuel building and piles.
Martin released an updated timetable for work on the southern attenuator. Work is currently underway to demo the attenuator piles and complete the shop drawings which will allow the production of the new attenuator to begin in March. Delivery is anticipated for early June. It is anticipated that installation, rewiring and piping will occur during the summer. Fender anticipates completing all the work by the end of August 2019.
Total cost — excluding city salaries — for the south basin repairs to date: $9,351,736.26.
City Manager Dale Martin reported Friday that according to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) officials, their permit review is nearing completion for the north portion of the attenuator, which includes the fuel dock. Design and cost estimate being prepared for review.
The city hopes to extend the marina to the north once the work to repair Matthew-related damage has been completed. However, further work in this regard is dependent on grants and funding authorizations from the FBCC.