HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 26-115RESOLUTION NO. 26-115
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA,
AUTHORIZING STAFF TO ISSUE A TASK AUTHORIZATION TO
GEOSYNTEC CONSULTANTS FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING
SERVICES TO RESPOND TO FDEP COMMENTS REGARDING A
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF DISCHARGING HIGHLY TREATED
RECLAIMED WATER TO AREA DRAINAGE DITCHES TO PREVENT
SALTWATER INTRUSION FROM KILLING ADJACENT WETLAND
HARDWOOD TREES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND PURCHASE ORDERS IN ACCORDANCE
WITH AND AS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PROVISIONS OF
THIS RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on August 26, 2026, staff received a scope and fee proposal from Geosyntec
Consultants in the amount of $158,195 to provide professional engineering services to respond to
FDEP comments regarding the feasibility study of discharging highly treated wastewater to area
drainage ditches to prevent saltwater intrusion from killing hardwood trees in the wetland areas
along the drainage ditches.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlantic Beach Wastewater Treatment Facility currently
discharges up to 1.5 million gallons per day of highly treated wastewater to the St. Johns River;
and
WHEREAS, Chapter 403.064, F.S. requires the City to remove this discharge from the St.
Johns River by January 2032; and
WHEREAS, sea level rise and increased tidal inundation are causing many of the
hardwood trees in wetland areas along the City's drainage ditches to show signs of stress; and
WHEREAS, many of these trees are expected to die in the future as salinity levels increase
in the drainage ditches due to higher sea levels.; and
WHEREAS, if a direct ecological benefit can be demonstrated by discharging highly
treated wastewater to targeted areas of the drainage ditches, then the requirements of Chapter
403.064, F.S. can be economically met; and
WHEREAS, the tasks included in the Scope & Fee proposal include responding with data
collection, scientific narrative, conducting reviews of the wetlands and comparing and presenting
data to the FDEP; and
WHEREAS, the City has a Professional Engineering Services Agreement with Geosyntec
Consultants; and
WHEREAS, funds for this project are available in the Public Utilities Treatment account
410-5508-535-6300 for Project PU2522.
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach
as follows:
SECTION 1. The City Commission hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute a Task
Authorization with Geosyntec Consultants in the amount of $158,195 to address FDEP comments
regarding discharging treated wastewater to forested wetlands as described in the Scope & Fee
Proposal from Geosyntec Consultants dated August 26, 2026.
SECTION 2. The City Commission hereby authorizes the City Manager to approve a
Purchase Order to Geosyntec Consultants in the amount of $158,195 for said Task Authorization.
SECTION 3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach, this 14th day of September, 2026.
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Curtis Ford, Maygr
Attest:
�ol� aM2 &
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Approved as to form and correctness:
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Jason Gab ' ty omey