Subject:
Title
Cooperative Funding Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the Lake Seminole Watershed Management Plan.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Cooperative Funding Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the Lake Seminole Watershed Management Plan (WMP).
• Agreement provides $325,000.00 in SWFWMD funding with an equal match from the County for an agreement total of $650,000.00.
• The last WMP for Lake Seminole was completed in 2001.
• The WMP will provide recommendations for flood reduction, water quality, and natural systems improvement projects.
• Funding for the grant and grant match is included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Adopted Budget Surface Water Utility Fund. The Agreement contains a fiscal non-funding clause should this portion of the budget not be approved in future years.
SWFWMD Agreement No. 25CF0004619; total contract amount is $650,000.00; County is responsible for a $325,000.00 match; Agreement term October 1, 2024, through December 31, 2027.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where practical
3.2 Preserve and manage environmental lands, beaches, parks, and historical assets
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
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:
Summary
The Agreement for $650,000.00, of which the County is responsible for $325,00.00, provides funding to develop a comprehensive WMP for the Lake Seminole Watershed. The project includes watershed evaluation, flood plain analysis, flood protection level of service determination, surface water resource assessment and best management practices alternatives analysis. The WMP will provide recommendations for flood reduction and water quality and natural systems improvement projects. The Agreement period is effective from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027.
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Background Information:
The Lake Seminole Watershed covers approximately eleven (11) square miles and discharges into Long Bayou/Boca Ciega Bay. A WMP was last completed for this watershed in 2001. Due to the highly urbanized nature of the watershed, it has undergone major alterations to hydrology and hydraulics since that time.
Section 12 of the Agreement requires the County to indemnify SWFWMD. County Resolution No. 06-70 prohibits the County from indemnifying other entities in most situations. Staff requested SWFWMD remove this requirement, and SWFWMD has denied the request. This is SWFWMD’s boilerplate language for Cooperative Funding Initiative projects and cannot be changed.
Fiscal Impact:
The total estimated cost of the project is $650,000.00, which includes $325,000.00 of SWFWMD funding. The County required match is $325,000.00, funded through the Surface Water Utility Fee. Funding is included in the FY 2025 Adopted Annual Budget and will be included in for FY 2026 and FY 2027 Annual Budgets.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
SWFWMD
Attachments:
Agreement
Location Map
SWFWMD indemnification email
Resolution 06-70