Subject:
Title
Resilient Florida grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Joe's Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Resilient Florida grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Joe's Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project.
• Grant funding is for design and construction of Joe’s Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area and Town of Kenneth City.
• The agreement requires a fifty percent match. Grant funding amount is $27,911,500.00 with a local match of $27,911,500.00.
• The Joe's Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project, 004116A, is budgeted for $59,804,000.00 in the Adopted Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-FY31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas) and grant funding from Southwest Florida Water Management District, State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
• The Adopted FY26-FY31 CIP includes the FDEP award from agreement 25SRP22 of $27,911,500.00 and the County’s match requirement.
PID No. 004116A; FDEP grant funding amount of $27,911,500.00 and equal match amount of $27,911,500.00; Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
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Strategic Priorities:
Strategic Priority and Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure.
1.3 Increase access to green space.
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
Smart Service Delivery
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement.
Summary:
Summary
The Joe’s Creek Watershed is a 9,256-acre drainage basin located in the south-central portion of the County. The Watershed receives large amounts of untreated stormwater runoff that has caused the creek to be impaired for nutrients, biologic indicators, and fecal coliform. The project area consists of commercial, industrial, and underserved residential areas that experience localized flooding, including the Lealman CRA. The project is to design and construct green and grey infrastructure improvements that will mitigate flooding and improve water quality. Design and construction for the Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail, a multi-modal transportation corridor, is included as a part of this project. The Trail will improve transportation connectivity as well as offer recreational amenities to the community.
The Resilient Florida Grant Award period of performance is July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2027.
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Background Information:
On May 12, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1954, now 380.093, Florida Statutes (F.S.). This targeted funding developed a coordinated approach to Florida’s coastal and inland resilience and created the Resilient Florida Program which helps prepare communities for the impact of flooding and storm surge. Through this legislation, the Resilient Florida Program Grant Program was created to enhance the department’s efforts to protect our inland areas, coastlines and shores.
Fiscal Impact:
Joe's Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail project, 004116A, is budgeted in the Adopted FY26-FY31 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas) and grant funding through SWFWMD, DEO, and FDEP.
The Adopted FY26-FY31 CIP includes the FDEP grant award of $27,911,500.00 and the County’s required match of $27,911,500.00 (funded by Penny for Pinellas and grant funding through SWFWMD and DEO).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
Map of Project Location
Application for Resilient Florida Grant Program Fiscal Year 2024