Subject:
Title
First Amendment to the Municipal Services Taxing Unit Special Project Funding Agreement with Whispering Souls African American Cemetery, Inc. to support the establishment of irrigation infrastructure and the acquisition of a storage shed.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the First Amendment to Whispering Souls Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) project funding request, extending the project timeline to support the establishment of irrigation infrastructure and the acquisition of a storage shed.
Additionally, delegate authority to the County Administrator to execute the amendment.
• The amendment will extend the grant project timeline from September 30, 2026, until September 30, 2027.
• The Project has been delayed due to issues with a contractor. Given these delays, the Project will require a contract extension to allow sufficient time to complete the work.
• This amendment has no fiscal impact because Whispering Souls Cemetery has already received an allocation of $6,625.00. Including this already approved project, a total of $312,861.25 remains available in FY26 for additional Board-approved MSTU projects.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.3 Increase access to green space.
1.4 Improve environmental quality.
Summary:
Summary
Approval is requested for an amendment that will extend the grant project timeline from September 30, 2026, until September 30, 2027, for the FY26 Whispering Souls Cemetery grant. The Project has been delayed due to issues with a contractor, who received an advance payment for materials. Whispering Souls Cemetery through its attorney has issued a formal demand letter to the contractor, and a complaint has also been filed with the County’s Consumer Protection Division. Given these delays, the Project will likely require a contract extension to allow sufficient time to complete the work.
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Background Information:
The MSTU Special Projects Funding opportunity was created by the Board of County Commissioners for the purpose of supporting projects that enhance community and neighborhood opportunities in unincorporated areas of Pinellas County. These MSTU Special Projects Awards are intended to support culture, recreation, and community engagement opportunities for residents in unincorporated areas that are comparable to those opportunities which municipalities typically provide to their residents.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact as the grant funding has already been advanced to the nonprofit per the original agreement approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
Staff Member Responsible:
Audrey Ables, Community Coordinator, County Administration
Partners:
Whispering Souls African American Cemetery, Inc.
Attachments:
First Amendment to 2026 MSTU Funding Agreement
Whispering Souls African American Cemetery 2026 MSTU Funding Agreement