Subject:
Title
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - Watershed Planning Program grant application with the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Public Works Director of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) -Watershed Planning Program grant application to the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM).
• Project will develop a Watershed Management Plan (WMP) for two coastal watersheds in Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound.
• Watersheds cover approximately 1.5 square miles and discharge into Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound. No WMP currently exists for these highly urbanized watersheds.
• Application requests $225,000.00, with a $75,000.00 County match for a project total of $300,000.00.
• Project will be over a 28-month period in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 - 2028.
• County match will be derived from the Public Works Department Operating Budget: Surface Water Utility.
Total grant funding amount requested is $225,000.00; County match is $75,000.00 for a total amount of $300,000.00.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship:
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where possible
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
The FDEM grant provides funding to develop a comprehensive WMP for two coastal watersheds in Clearwater Harbor and St. Joseph Sound. The project includes a watershed(s) evaluation, model development, flood plain analysis, and BMP analysis. It is anticipated the project will start in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and be completed in early FY 2028.
Background/Explanation:
The two small coastal watersheds cover approximately 1.5 square miles in Northwestern Pinellas County. No previous watershed model or WMP exists for these watersheds. As such, there is a need to create a model to ensure regulatory requirements are meeting current flood risk requirements.
Fiscal Impact:
Total grant funding amount requested is $225,000.00. Total County match proposed is $75,000.00. Total approval amount is $300,000.00. The source of the County match will be derived from the Public Works Department Operating Budget: Surface Water Utility.
Funding is not in the current Budget. If the grant funding is awarded, the impact will be in FY 26 and FY 27, an analysis of the total project budget will be made at that time.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Public Works Director to sign this grant application is granted under the County Administrator’s delegation of authority dated March 28, 2016.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEM
Attachments:
Application
Public Works Approval Memo
Projects Location Map
OMB - Intent to Apply Email