Canal advisory delays new seawall-material decision, keeps $25 annual assessment increase

The Braden River/Alligator Creek Canal Advisory Committee voted to delay commissioning a new seawall-construction study and recommended retaining a modest $25 annual assessment increase to cover inflationary costs.

Mark Storm of Punta Gorda Public Works outlined the committee’s budget pro forma and seawall program, saying contractor invoicing has begun and that the July report should include more complete totals. He told members that several Hurricane Ian and Irma seawall projects have been denied by FEMA and that staff plan to pursue arbitration or hazard-mitigation paths where feasible. "One of the biggest reasons that they're denying a lot of the seawalls is they feel that the seawall doesn't need to be replaced, that the method of repair ... would be riprap in front of the seawall," Storm said, describing FEMA's stance and the need for benefit-cost analyses.

Finance director Kristen Simeon told the committee that the city is still negotiating purchase details for a staging parcel tied to the seawall program and that the seller requested roughly a 30-day extension. "We were supposed to close by June 10th, but they asked it for like a 30-day extension ... so we'll be closing in July for the land," Simeon said.

Committee members debated a council suggestion to consider vinyl panels (corrugated or flat) instead of the city’s current concrete panels. Members noted two prior studies (2010 and 2020) and discussed durability and cost trade-offs: the earlier study estimated vinyl life at roughly 40 years versus about 65 years for concrete, and past cost comparisons showed vinyl cost a few dollars more per linear foot at the time. Concerns raised included a non-uniform waterfront appearance where vinyl and concrete panels would be mixed, UV exposure and longevity in Punta Gorda's climate, and whether a change in materials would affect FEMA reimbursement.

Members pressed staff to circulate the prior "Taylor" study and suggested reviewing that report before authorizing a new procurement. The last comprehensive update cited in the meeting cost approximately $87,000 and took about a year to complete. Rather than immediately fund another study, several members supported delaying a new contract until they could assess whether product performance or market conditions have changed enough to warrant fresh analysis.

On funding, the committee recommended keeping the $25 assessment increase originally proposed to address inflationary pressures for fiscal year 2027. The pro forma presented by staff retains the $820 base operating assessment, a $100-per-year special-project line, and a $90 annual allocation tied to lock widening; the $25 increase was recommended as an immediate inflation adjustment while larger changes to the annual program would be considered around fiscal year 2029.

The committee also directed staff to pursue FEMA appeals and potential hazard-mitigation funding where appropriate, and to work with state and engineering resources on benefit-cost analyses for disputed projects. The group voted to place a seawall-materials agenda item and the prior study on the next meeting’s agenda for further review, with Mark Storm agreeing to distribute the earlier report to committee members.

The committee’s recommendations will be forwarded to Punta Gorda City Council as advisory guidance; the finance-related budget amendment for the staging-land appropriation is scheduled for council consideration on June 17.