Bay Cliffs STS Conversion

This project is currently in the DESIGN phase and has not been advertised.

STATUS UPDATE:

5.8.25:Staff is currently collaborating with GMC on the redesign proposal and expects to have all the necessary information to present the proposal to the GBRWS Board in June, seeking a recommendation for approval to the City Council.

April 21, 2025: The GBRWS recommended redesigning the Bay Cliffs STS project from a gravity sewer system to a low-pressure sewer (LPS) system. This recommendation was driven by concerns over the overall cost of the gravity system and the significant challenges associated with maintaining the integrity of the existing 60” stormwater pipe during construction. Staff is working with GMC to obtain a new proposal for the redesign of this project. Once staff has received the proposal, it will be taken to the GBRWS Board for recommendation for approval to the City Council, to redesign the project from a gravity sewer to a low-pressure sewer (LPS) system, and to replace the existing AC water main if significant cost savings are identified as a result of the LPS redesign.  The next GBRWS Board meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2025. Once the recommendation is received, staff will present to City Council for final approval.

April 14, 2025: Following extensive discussions, staff have identified significant challenges related to cost and constructability and would like the GBRWS Board to consider redesigning the current project. As a result, staff will be proposing a transition to a low-pressure sewer (LPS) system during the GBRWS Board meeting this evening.  The original design for a gravity sewer system has exceeded in cost to over $92,000 per home, raising serious concerns about the long-term feasibility of the project. By shifting to an LPS system, we aim to implement a more practical and cost-effective solution that will still provide reliable service to the Bay Cliffs area.  It is important to note that our revised project does not currently include budget provisions for replacing existing asbestos concrete sewer pipes, which has been a consideration in other areas, and was successful within the Highpoint STS Conversion project. We will continue to keep the community informed as the project develops. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like more information following tonight's meeting. We also encourage you to attend the GBRWS Board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. Your participation and insights are always appreciated.

Click the following link to view the agenda: GBRWS Board Meeting Agenda 4.14.2025

4.9.2025: The City and GMC met to review the final project plans. While the City is preparing to move the project forward, additional internal review is underway to ensure all aspects of the design are ready for successful construction before the project is advertised for bidding

3.25.2025 The city will review the final plans with GMC on Tuesday, April 1st.

3.10.2025 The city is still working with GMC to ensure plans meet city requirements. Staff will seek approval to advertise this project at the April 7, 2025 city council meeting.

2.26.2025 The city has received the final design plans; however, further changes are still needed before the project can be advertised. Therefore, approval to advertise this project will not be taken to the March 3 City Council meeting. We understand the delays are frustrating; however, the city is working to secure the best design for this project area to guarantee a fully operational sewer system once the conversion is completed.

02.17.2025 The city anticipates receiving the 100% design plans by the end of the week and will request the City Council's approval to advertise the project at the March 3 City Council meeting. We are hopeful that construction can start by mid to late spring! Stay tuned for more project updates!  

12.13.24 GMC reported that the survey of individual properties has been ongoing and expects this to be completed in January. They will need time following the survey to finalize the plan set with the property information, but they plan to have the plan set completed in February 2025.

STATUS UPDATE: 11.5.2024
GMC's surveyors have started pulling records for the septic tank data available through the Health Department. The surveyors plan to begin site work over the next month. Someone from GMC's office will contact each resident to inform them that someone will be onsite during this timeframe. They will also ask if there are any scheduling conflicts and/or restrictions regarding the surveyors entering their property.

CURRENT IMPACT FEE: $5,320
The current sewer impact fee is $5,320 and can be paid in full or financed over ten years in interest-free monthly installments of $44.33 through the city. If residents opt for the payment plan, repayment will commence once the plan is established. However, residents will not receive invoices for sewer services until the property is connected to the sewer. Following the connection of the property and initiation of sewer service, the anticipated monthly sewer bill will amount to approximately $20.10, in addition to $5.09 for every 1,000 gallons of usage. However, this figure is subject to potential increases, as rates are subject to periodic revisions. Residents seeking to establish the payment plan must first submit the UTILITY SERVICE APPLICATION form to the Utility Billing Department to initiate their new sewer account. Alternatively, residents may visit the Utility Billing Department at 311 Fairpoint Drive to arrange the payment plan.

ONLINE FORMS/DOCUMENTS/PAGES:

Resident Guide for Sewer Connection
Sewer Service Connection Form - Bay Cliffs STS
Utility Service Application Form
STS Temporary Construction Easement
Bank Draft Request
City of Gulf Breeze Bay Cliffs Septic to Sewer Facebook Page
Gravity Sewer Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Status Update:
8.15.24 GMC has mailed out resident letters/consent forms. Due to an error with the resident mailing labels, the application submission deadline has been extended to September 6, 2024. The "Resident Guide for Sewer Connection"  is a good resource for residents regarding the STS conversion and setting up the sewer account with the City. 

(If submitting electronically, please download, print, complete, and submit the "Temporary Access & Construction Easement" form.  *Both forms MUST be submitted for residents who wish to be part of the STS conversion*

Utility Service Application Form   (This form must be submitted BEFORE  residents can set up a payment plan or pay the impact fee in full. Residents will NOT be charged for sewer service until they are 100% connected to the active sewer system and the Project Manager notifies the UB department to start billing.)
(If using a bank draft check, PLEASE fill out the “Bank Draft Request” form as well)

8.7.2024: GMC will send out resident letters and consent forms by the end of the week. Residents in the Bay Cliffs area have until August 30, 2024, to submit the completed application for enrollment in the septic-to-sewer conversion program with the City of Gulf Breeze. For more information, residents can visit the
City of Gulf Breeze Bay Cliffs Septic to Sewer Facebook Page.

7.18.2024 The City continues to work with GMC to finalize the design phase. Letters and consent forms need to be sent to residents of Bay Cliffs, and GMC needs to finalize their informational Facebook page.

In April 2024, the city received 100% design plans from GMC.

The project area is located in the City of Gulf Breeze along Bay Cliffs Road and encompasses residents on Bay Cliffs Road, Plantation Hill Road, Bonilace Circle, Yesteroak Circle, Mound Circle, and Andrew Jackson Trail who are not on the central sewer system. The work includes surveying and design for approximately 76 residential/private properties, as well as service laterals that end at the right of way and lot stub-outs. Additional work includes the installation and construction of a lift station to pump wastewater to an existing manhole, proper abandonment of existing septic tanks, property restoration, and all other components necessary for a complete and operational system. Lastly, coordination of right-of-entry agreements and work within residential properties will be required, demonstrating our commitment to a comprehensive and successful project.

The City Council and Mayor of the City of Gulf Breeze desire that every property within the City be connected to a sewer system. They have approved an eight-year plan to achieve this goal, where they plan to use available grants and low-cost federal funding for environmentally favorable projects to make this process worry-free for its citizens. Construction costs will be covered through city funds, grants, and federal funding mechanisms. Residents will be responsible for paying impact fees at the time of connection and will have the option to spread the impact fee into manageable monthly payments, interest-free, over a period of ten years through the City of Gulf Breeze.

The project is currently funded through the City of Gulf Breeze's revenues and capital funding mechanisms. It involves installing a sewer connection at each residence and abandoning existing septic systems. Residents who wish to connect to the central sewer system must do so within the project connection commitment period, which will be determined once the design phase is complete.

The City of Gulf Breeze has selected Goodwyn Mills Cawood, LLC (GMC), a local engineering firm, to design the Bay Cliffs Septic to Sewer Conversion Project. Their responsibilities include surveying and designing private properties and areas where infrastructure will be placed in the right-of-way. Representatives of GMC will be on-site over the next few months collecting data for the sewer system design.  Each property owner will receive a Temporary Construction Easement (TCE) form that will need to be completed and returned to GMC.