Subject:
Title
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications with the Florida Division of Emergency Management for stormwater mitigation efforts.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of three Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) for stormwater mitigation efforts.
• Grants are made available due to the Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricanes Helene (FEMA 4828-DR-FL) and Milton (FEMA 4834-DR-FL)
• Requested grant funding is $33,752,943.00 (75%); anticipated County match is $11,250,982.00 (25%). Funding will support three stormwater mitigation projects: Cross Bayou Improvements (002124A and 002124B), Joe's Creek 34th Street Culvert (006792A), and Baypointe Stormwater Conservation Area (003435A).
• Grant application submission deadline is July 25, 2025.
• Grant application submission requires executed Authorizing Agent Approval form be electronically uploaded.
• Additionally, execution of Authorizing Agent Approval form for traffic control cabinets, previously approved by the Board of County Commissioners, on May 6, 2025, via Legistar item 25-0597A requested.
• Local match requirement of $11,250,982.00 is included in the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas), EPA Community Grant Appropriations, and the Resilient Florida grant program.
PIDs 002124A and 002124B Cross Bayou Improvement, requested grant funds $4,120,000.00, match amount $1,373,334.00, total grant project cost $5,493,334.00; PID 003435A Baypointe Stormwater Conservation Area, requested grant funds $16,267,943.00, match amount $5,422,648.00, total grant project cost $21,690,591.00; PID 006792A Joe's Creek 34th Street Culvert, requested grant funds $13,365,000.00, match amount $4,455,000.00, total grant project cost $17,820,000.00.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety
Summary:
Summary
Following Board and the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Working Group approval, the Public Works Department Capital Improvements Division will electronically submit the Grant Applications for FEMA HMGP funding in the amount $33,752,943.00. The County is providing local cost share of $11,250,982.00. The total costs of the projects are $45,003,925.00.
The Grant Applications identify funding to support three (3) stormwater mitigation projects to minimize flooding to create a more disaster resilient community. The proposed projects include Cross Bayou Improvements, 34th St Box Culvert, and Baypointe Stormwater Conservation Area. Cross Bayou Improvements will alleviate flooding, as well as reduce duration, in both Cross Bayou and the contributing tributaries. The 34th Street Box Culvert project includes the construction and retrofit of an existing box culvert to provide upstream flood reduction. The Baypointe Stormwater and Conservation Area is a regional project that consists of a proposed stormwater management facility which will provide storage, flood protection and reduction, and mitigation for offsite drainage of 202 acres.
The County previously sought and received approval for the submission of two (2) transportation projects for HMGP, as part of the Hurricane Debby Grant Application package. The Form is disaster specific and the LMS Working Group elected to move the previously approved submission for the modification of thirty-five (35) signal control cabinets, located on major evacuation routes, from the Debby disaster submission to the current opportunities for Helene and Milton. However, the submission was approved by the Board at the May 6, 2025, meeting, and the Authorizing Agent Approval form was signed specific to Debby. To align with the LMS Working Group’s recommendations, the Authorizing Agent Approval form needed to be revised and signed to align with the appropriate disaster for which the submission will occur.
The grant application is an electronic submission and requires an executed Authorizing Agent Approval form be uploaded at time of application and the application submission deadline is July 25, 2025.
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Background Information:
As a result of the Presidential Disaster Declaration for Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the County was allocated $253.5 million in HMGP funding. The proposed stormwater mitigation projects seek to reduce flooding through increased drainage and stormwater storage capacity. Improvements include channel dredging, restoration, and construction of a stormwater management facility. Projects seek to increase stormwater conveyance to aid in minimizing flooding impacts.
The grant process is directed through the County’s Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Working Group. Projects are ranked and selected by the LMS to receive an endorsement letter for submission with an application to the Division.
Pinellas County Public Works was notified of Resilient Florida funding awarded to the Cross Bayou Improvements via agreement 25SRP23. Negotiations with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection continue, and an executed agreement is pending these negotiations.
Fiscal Impact:
Requested funding is $33,752,943.00 (75%); anticipated match is $11,250,982.00. Local match requirement of $11,250,982.00 is included in the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2030 Capital Improvement Plan
Project breakdowns:
Cross Bayou Improvements (projects 002124A and 002124B) - Requested amount $4,120,000.00, required match $1,373,344.00 funded through Resilient Florida funds. Resilient Florida grant is awarded with agreement execution in progress.
Baypointe Stormwater Conservation Area (project 003435A) - Requested amount $16,267,943.00, required match $5,422,648.00 funded through EPA Community Grant Appropriations and Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas). EPA grant is awarded with agreement execution in progress.
Joe's Creek 34th St. Culvert (project 006792A) - Requested amount $13,365,000.00, required match $4,455,000.00 to be funded through Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas) funds. Joe's Creek 34th St. Culvert is a new project requested for FY26.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM)
Local Mitigation Strategy Working Group (LMS)
Attachments:
HMGP Approval Form - 34th St
HMGP Approval Form - Baypointe
HMGP Approval Form - Cross Bayou Phase
HMGP Approval Form - Traffic Cabinets
Local Mitigation Strategy Intent to Apply - 34th St
Local Mitigation Strategy Intent to Apply - Baypointe
Local Mitigation Strategy Intent to Apply - Cross Bayou
Project Scoring Sheet - 34Th St
Project Scoring Sheet - Baypointe
Project Scoring Sheet - Cross Bayou
OMB Intent to Apply Approval
PW Director Memo