Subject:
Title
Cooperative Funding Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for construction of the Roosevelt Creek Channel 5 improvements.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Cooperative Funding Agreement (Agreement) with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for construction of the Roosevelt Creek Channel 5 Improvements.
• SWFWMD to contribute up to $357,571.00 toward the total construction cost of this project.
• The primary goal of this project is to create a more natural hydrological connection between Roosevelt Creek Channel 5 and Old Tampa Bay.
• The goal will be accomplished by lowering an existing salinity weir and the clearing of exotic and invasive vegetation.
SWFWMD Agreement No. 19CF0001790, County PID No. 002123A, SWFWMD construction funding amount $357,571.00. Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Court to attest.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Summary:
The purpose of this agreement is to provide cooperative funding assistance for construction of the Roosevelt Creek Channel 5 improvements. The primary goal of the project is to lower an existing salinity weir, which will create a more natural hydrologic connection between Roosevelt Creek Channel 5 and Old Tampa Bay. This will result in improved flood stages north of Ulmerton Road, improved habitat value, reduced or eliminated algae issues in the Channel, and allowance of the passage of fish and other marine biota.
Background Information:
This project is consistent with the Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan for Tampa Bay, a SWIM priority water body, which outlines goals to restore habitat and reduce pollutant loads entering Tampa Bay.
The project includes the removal of accumulated sediment from Executive Drive, north to the existing weir, improving the health of the system removing a potential source of nutrients and other pollutants. Additionally, the area immediately surrounding the wier will be cleared of exotic/invasive vegetation and replanted with native species. This will allow for natural recruitment of mangroves into the cleared area downstream of the wier.
The contract period is from October 1, 2018 through June 1, 2021. The project status is currently between sixty percent (60% and 100% design). Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2019 and last a duration of approximately one (1) year.
Finally, section 10 of this agreement requires the County to indemnify and hold harmless SWFWMD to the extent permitted by law, as limited by and pursuant to the provisions of Section 768.28, Florida Statutes. County Resolution No. 06-70 prohibits the County from indemnifying others under most circumstances. SWFWMD will not modify the indemnification section of this agreement as it is a standard requirement in their agreements. Staff and the County Attorney agree that the indemnification requirement is within an acceptable level of risk.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for construction of this project is budgeted in the Capital Improvement Program: Physical Environment, Flood Control program allocation.
Proposed total construction funding sources are:
$1,178,648,89 - Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas)
$ 357,571.00 - SWFWMD grant funding
Total construction project funding - $1,536,219.89
The total construction project funding currently budgeted in the FY19 Adopted Budget is $850,000.00 in Penny for Pinellas funds and is not consistent with the revised project estimate noted above. Additional funding will be requested and the grant will be recognized as part of FY20 budget development.
Staff Member Responsible:
Addie Javed, Director, Public Works
Partners:
SWFWMD
Attachments:
Agreement
Project Location Map
Email from SWFWMD Re Indemnification
County Resolution No. 06-70