Town staff told the Bay Oaks advisory board that the design contract for the Bay Oaks pool has been awarded to Opulent Outlines LLC, a Fort Myers firm, and that because the project is funded with HUD/CDBG-DR money the procurement will include a formal selection committee and two interviews with the chosen design firm.

"We have the money," said Jeff Haughey, Community Services director, describing the funding as available but subject to procurement and HUD/CDBG requirements. Jeff said the town has roughly $5,000,000 to do the project as a not-to-exceed figure, and staff emphasized that the design phase will establish the scope for a future construction bid. Selection committee membership named in the meeting included Jeff, Frankie and Tracy Koller.

Board members noted one bidder had previously bid and that this firm had also previously participated; staff emphasized the requirement to separate design and construction procurement so the design firm cannot be the construction contractor. Members asked for public interviews with the design firm and for timeline updates after holiday scheduling. Jeff said interviews and design work should begin soon after Thanksgiving depending on firm availability.

Aboard discussion touched on scale: one member said a first-rate pool replacement could reach $12 million, well above the $5 million currently available. Staff said they will seek to maximize design value within the available funds and later bring a construction bid packet based on the completed design.

Next steps: staff will convene the selection committee, schedule public interviews, proceed with design and later issue a construction bid based on the design and available funds.