HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/19/2024 (2)Indian River County, Florida
Indian River County Administration Complex
1801 27th Street
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
indianriver.gov
Solid Waste Disposal District
Meeting Minutes - Final
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Commission Chambers
Board of Commissioners
Joseph Flescher, District 2, Chairman
Deryl Loar, District 4, Vice Chairman
Susan Adams, District 1
Joseph H. Earman, District 3
Laura Moss, District 5
John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney
Ryan L. Butler, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
Randi Wardlow, Deputy Clerk
Board of Commissioners SWDD Meeting Minutes - Final November 19, 2024
15. SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND BOARDS
B. Solid Waste Disposal District
The Board of County Commissioners reconvened as the Board of Commissioners
of the Solid Waste Disposal District. The minutes will be approved at an
upcoming Solid Waste Disposal District meeting.
15.6.1. 24-0959 Debris Removal - Hurricane Milton
Solid Waste Disposal District (SWDD) Managing Director Himanshu Mehta
requested the Board's direction in resolving a situation which arose regarding
debris collection in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. He informed that the
County's debris contractor, Ceres Environmental (Ceres), had completed half of
the debris removal but faced delays as subcontractors left to work for higher
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) rates; the County paid $9.81 per
cubic yard versus FDOT's $14.98 per cubic yard.
Mr. Mehta advised that Ceres could finish the job at the contracted rate, but it
would extend the timeline to late December. He offered three options for the
Board's consideration: 1. Continue at the current rates and accept the revised
timing; 2. Increase the rate to match FDOT's at a cost of $131,591 with the same
October completion date. The Board was advised that FEMA may not reimburse
the County for this expense.; 3. Issue a separate emergency purchase order to
Ceres in the amount of $131,591 using emergency general funds to incentivize
on-time debris collection; this option was not eligible for reimbursement.
Mr. Mehta stated neighboring counties faced similar dilemmas, and most paid
additional incentives to get the debris cleared in a timely fashion. The Board was
wary of setting precedent by changing contracted rates midway through the job,
and expressed they felt they were being placed in a difficult situation. Ultimately,
the Board preferred not to delay debris removal in the public's interest, and
supported staffs recommendation of Option 3.
A motion was made by Commissioner Earman, seconded by Chairman
Flescher, to approve Option 3 of staff's recommendation and issue an
emergency purchase order in the amount of $131,591 to Ceres Environmental.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: 5 - Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman Lear, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner
Earman, and Commissioner Moss
Indian River County, Florida Page 1
Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
Ryan L. Butler
Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller
By:
Deputy Clerk
SWDD/RW/2024 Minutes
SWDD Meeting Minutes — Final
November 19, 2024
Approved: February 11, 2025
Indian River County Florida Page 2