Subject:
Title
Amendment No. 1 to the Emergency Grant Funding Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for red tide management for and within Pinellas County.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Emergency Grant Funding Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for red tide management for and within Pinellas County.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk to attest the agreement.
County PID No. 90004G1, FDEP Contract No. AB006, for an increase in funding of $2,000,000.00.
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
3.2 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
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
This Amendment No. 1 from the state provides additional funding necessary to respond to a large scale impact from red tide. The funding will be utilized for contractual services and related costs to address the impacts of red tide debris removal in offshore waters, on the beaches, within the Intracoastal Waterway and canals, and Tampa Bay.
There is no change to the reimbursement period for this agreement which began on August 31, 2018, and expires on December 1, 2018.
Background Information:
The Board of County Commissioners approved the original agreement on September 13, 2018 for funding in the amount of $1,300,748.70.
In August 2018, the Governor issued Executive Order 18-221 declaring a state of emergency due to impacts of red tide in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. Through the executive order, state funding is available to respond to red tide impacts in southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area. The County continues to see varying concentration levels of red tide resulting in significant impacts to marine life. Based on the best available information, red tide may continue to cause significant impacts to the County and therefore an increase in a funding assistance grant has been requested to cover the expenses associated with contractual services to remove and dispose of red tide related debris. The County will continue to be the recipient of the funds from the FDEP and will perform any clean up requested by the other municipalities. The County received $1,300,748.70 from the FDEP and will be authorized to receive an additional $2,000,000.00 with this amendment. In the event additional resources are needed, the state (FDEP) has indicated they can amend the agreement to add additional funding.
Fiscal Impact:
This grant agreement provides an additional $2,000,000.00 in state funding through reimbursement for expenditures incurred. This funding and the associated expenditures are not included in the Fiscal Year 2019 Tentative Budget. There is no match required for this funding. If necessary, a budget resolution will be brought forward for consideration at a later date.
Staff Member Responsible:
Rahim Harji, Assistant County Administrator
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Amendment No. 1