Move ends a 20-year alliance; exiting leader did not submit bid
By John Pacenti
Ocean Ridge has selected Craig A. Smith & Associates as its primary town engineering firm and approved negotiations with five additional specialty consultants to provide continuing professional services, town officials said Jan. 28.
That ends a two-decade relationship between the town and engineer Lisa Tropepe of Engenuity Group. Tropepe did not submit a bid or return a phone call seeking comment.
Deerfield Beach-based Craig A. Smith & Associates will serve as the “anchor” firm for day-to-day engineering work.
The Town Commission also voted at its Jan. 12 meeting to authorize staff to enter negotiations with CHA Consulting, Pennoni Associates, CPZ Architects, West Architecture & Design, and Florida Technical Consultants for specialty services.
The specialty firms fill specific project needs, Town Manager Michelle Heiser said. For example, Florida Technical Consultants will update the town’s GIS and provide a public dashboard.
Steve Smith of Craig A. Smith & Associates said his team has ample local experience and is ready to work with Ocean Ridge. “We are intimately familiar with your challenges,” he told the commission. “We’re local. We’ve always been local, and we will be involved.”
Town officials said the transition should be smooth for ongoing projects.
Heiser told the commission that Tropepe will continue work on active contracts and permitting, while the newly selected firms will assume new assignments after contracts are finalized.
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