Safety Harbor approves emergency repairs on Meldrum Street to protect roadway and utilities

The Safety Harbor City Commission unanimously approved an emergency repair agreement on Sept. 2 to stabilize roadway and utilities on Meldrum Street after repeated erosion linked to Hurricane Milton and subsequent storm events.

Public works director Renee Cooper told the commission the creek bank beneath the road had worsened since the October 2024 storm, leaving sections of asphalt undermined and guardrails hanging. The city plans to repair the roadway, replace guardrail, install curb to reduce overland sheet flow and add concrete drainage flumes that channel road runoff into the creek; the city will not undertake extensive bank work within the county-owned parcel except where necessary to secure guardrail foundations.

Cooper said the creek parcel was deeded to Pinellas County in 1966, and the county previously produced 30% design plans for larger creek improvements but did not budget the project. The county has performed some temporary stabilizations that later washed away in heavy rain. Staff recommended emergency procurement under the city’s policy because the erosion threatens public access, utilities and the ability of emergency services to reach residents on the dead‑end street.

Commission discussion focused on the risk that county-owned sections of the creek could undermine city repairs if the county does not proceed. Cooper said the city will notify the county of the work and expects to coordinate, but she warned that riprap and other city repairs are not permanent bank solutions and could be damaged in future storms if the county does not complete its portion of the project. She also said a full bank stabilization of the entire creek would cost more than $1 million based on previous estimates.

Commissioners asked staff to send formal correspondence to Pinellas County leadership describing the imminent risk to residents and requesting coordination; the commission’s approval included authorization for staff to begin the emergency work with AMI Recycling and Services for a total contract amount of $376,076. The contract was approved 5-0. Staff said they would notify the county and seek overlap in scheduling so county work can follow or be matched to the city’s repairs.

The work approved on Tuesday covers the city right-of-way and immediate measures to protect roadway access, utilities and public safety; the county retains responsibility for the larger creek stabilization and any long-term bank replacement on county parcel sections.