Subject:
Title
Resilient Florida grant applications with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of the submission for five proposals to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resilient Florida grant program.
• The state has directed FDEP to establish a trust with $500 million in federal funding for implementation of statewide resilience projects through the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan.
• On July 1, 2021, FDEP opened the Resilient Florida Grant program online portal
• Final applications are due to FDEP on September 1, 2021.
• There is no fiscal impact to the County for submission of this grant application. Should grant funding be approved, no match is required, but existing operational and capital improvement allocations will be used as leveraged funds.
• The grant amount exceeds County Administrator approval authority. Therefore, this application will be brought to the Board of County Commissioners for ratification after the initial submission of the grant application.
• Total grant amount requested is $38,401,000; Leveraged funding is $23,449,000; projects include:
a.) Utilities Building Hardening - $3,213,000.00 ask; $6,237,000.00 match; $9,450,000.00 total
b.) Pinellas Park Interceptor - $4,488,000.00 ask; $8,712,000.00 match; $13,200,000.00 total
c.) Dunn Electrical Upgrades - $3,600,000.00 ask; $5,400,000.00 match; $9,000,000.00 total
d.) Pump Station Generators - $2,100,000.00 ask; $3,100,000.00 match; $5,200,000.00 total
e.) Mobile Home Park Wastewater Collection System Improvements - $25,000,000.00 ask
Grant application in the amount of $38,401,000.00.Body
Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention and protective services to ensure a safe and secure community
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
4.3 Catalyze redevelopment through planning and regulatory programs
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The County will be proposing five projects, listed below, that will reduce the community’s risk to natural hazards as well as increase operational resilience. The projects presented are the result of a two-month internal vetting process, whereby staff from around the Utilities Department submitted ideas that not only fit the call for funding but also provide the greatest opportunity to reduce risk and/or increase resiliency. Overall, these projects balance the needs of the community and local governmental services. The projects include: Resilient Pinellas Utilities Program ($9.4M), Pinellas Park Sewer Interceptor ($13.2M), Dunn Electrical Upgrades ($9.0M), Pump Station Generators ($5.2M), and Mobile Home Park Wastewater Collection System Improvements ($25M).
Following Board ratification, the department will proceed with the application process to DEP’s Resilient Florida Program for funding in the amount of $38,401,000. The County is providing leveraged funds across all 5 proposals in the amount of $23,449,000.
Background/Explanation:
On July 1, 2021 FDEP launched the Resilient Florida Grant Program, making a non-reoccurring amount of $500,000,000 available for eligible applicants, including counties and municipalities, regional resilience entities (on behalf of a member), WMDs and flood control districts. The non-reoccurring funds will be dispersed across one application cycle. The program is designed to provide funding opportunities for local governments and state agencies to develop large-scale mitigation activities that allow Florida communities to better withstand future disasters. Final proposals are due to FDEP on September 1, 2021.
Fiscal Impact:
Should grant funding be approved, no match is required, but existing operational and capital improvement allocations will be used as leveraged funds.
Delegated Authority:
The grant amount exceeds County Administrator approval authority. This application will be brought to the Board of County Commissioners for ratification after the initial submission of the grant application.
Staff Member Responsible:
Megan Ross, Director, Utilities
Partners:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
Attachments:
Utilities Projects Factsheet (5)
Utilities Applications (5)
OMB Acceptance Email