Commission adds $25,000 for soundproofing to public‑works storage building under William Lehman Causeway

The City Commission authorized a contract amendment to install a pre‑engineered metal building at the city’s public‑works yard under the William Lehman Causeway and approved an additional not‑to‑exceed $25,000 amendment for soundproofing to mitigate noise for nearby residents.

Staff said the structure — approximately 36 feet by 130 feet, wind‑rated and including metal doors, overhead doors and windows — will provide covered storage, security and a location for certain equipment maintenance tasks. Staff and commissioners said the building will reduce some noise such as backup beepers and certain equipment operations, though some outdoor tasks will continue to produce sound.

Commissioners and staff discussed resident complaints from homes on 190 First Terrace and Golden Shores about pressure washing, maintenance noise and operations at the public‑works yard. Commissioner Joseph and others pushed to include soundproofing now, rather than add it later, to reduce the risk of higher retrofit costs and to provide immediate mitigation.

Deputy staff and the manager said soundproofing would reduce but not eliminate all noise because the yard is an active working facility and some work will still be performed outdoors. Staff provided an estimate for soundproofing of roughly $21,000 (rounded to a $25,000 allowance in the amendment) and recommended including the scope in the contract amendment so the commission would not need to approve a future change order.

After debate over mitigation effectiveness and resident expectations for living adjacent to a causeway, Commissioner Joseph moved (and the commission seconded) an amendment adding the soundproofing scope; the amended contract passed on the floor with the commission’s approval.

Formal action: The commission approved the first amendment with Team Contracting for the pre‑engineered building and an added not‑to‑exceed amount for soundproofing to be included in the contract; staff indicated the $25,000 figure was an upper bound, with a $21,000 estimate cited in the discussion.

Next steps: Staff will finalize the contract with the additional soundproofing scope, schedule construction and continue to address resident concerns about yard operations as the facility comes online.