Subject:
Title
Grant funding agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Urban Stream Restoration Utilizing Phosphorus Mitigation and Realtime Variable Rate Injection and Monitoring Systems.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant funding agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Urban Stream Restoration Utilizing Phosphorus Mitigation and Realtime Variable Rate Injection and Monitoring Systems.
• Agreement provides $901,840.00 with no required match for a $901,840.00 project total.
• Project area focuses on Joe’s Creek 9.8-mile-long urbanized stream that flows through Lealman and Kenneth City in the County.
• Project entails treatment and monitoring to remove phosphorus within the waters of Joe’s Creek, as well as inactivating legacy phosphorus in the sediment of the four small lakes within the Creek’s flow path.
• Funding for this grant is not included in the Public Works FY25 operating budget. Work under this grant is not anticipated to start until FY26.
FDEP Agreement No. INV50; Contract is $901,840.00 with no match required; Agreement term expiration date is March 1, 2028.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
1.6 Ensure sustainable water management
Summary:
Summary
The Agreement with FDEP provides $901,840.00 to the County. There is no match requirement. The project total is $901,840.00. The project area focuses on Joe’s Creek 9.8-mile-long urbanized stream that flows through Lealman and Kenneth City. The County is invested in improving Joe’s Creek water quality so local urban communities can enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities centered around safe, clean, and enjoyable water.
This project involves coupling innovative treatment solutions and monitoring approaches to remove phosphorus within the waters of Joe’s Creek, as well as inactivating legacy phosphorus in the sediment of the four small lakes within the Creek’s flow path. This project proposes an inline automated injection technology for continuous application of a phosphorus sequestration agent into Joe’s Creek, as well as the application of treatments to sequester sediment-bound phosphorus within the four lakes.
The Agreement begins upon execution with a term expiration date of March 1, 2028.
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Background Information:
Joe’s Creek is a 9.8-mile-long urbanized stream that flows through Lealman and Kenneth City. Its watershed spans 9,256 acres. Within Joe’s Creek flow path are four small lakes, which collectively encompass approximately 25 acres. The creek begins at Silver Lake and flows from east to west until it discharges into Cross Bayou, which flows into Boca Ciega Bay, and ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico.
Section 18 of the Agreement requires the County to indemnify FDEP. County Resolution No. 06-70 prohibits the County from indemnifying other entities in most situations. Staff requested FDEP remove this requirement, and FDEP has denied the request. This is FDEP’s Agreement boilerplate language for projects and cannot be changed.
Fiscal Impact:
The total estimated cost of the project is $901,840.00, which includes up to $901,840.00 of FDEP funding. The County is not required to provide a match.
Funding for this grant is not included in the current year budget of Public Works in the Surface Water Utility Fund. Work is not expected to start until FY26.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Agreement with Exhibits 1, A, C-D
Project Area Map
Indemnification email from FDEP
County Resolution No. 06-70