Subject:
Title
Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use required for grant reimbursement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program for development of Raymond H. Neri Community Park.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of a Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use for the Raymond H. Neri Community Park development project with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant program.
• The Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use requires the signature of the Board Chairman.
• The County will be reimbursed $1,185,182 by FDEP through the LWCF grant when this Notice is properly executed and filed with all grant closeout documentation.
• Improvements funded by this grant include a multi-purpose sports field, dog park, multi-purpose trail, restroom facility, lighting, and landscaping.
• Pursuant to Rule 62D-5.074(1), F.A.C., the County dedicates the project site in perpetuity as an outdoor recreation area for the use and benefit of the public.
• If the County converts any part of the project site or facilities acquired or developed with grant assistance to other than a use approved by FDEP, the County will be required to replace the area, facilities, resource, or site at its own expense with an acceptable project of comparable or greater value, scope, and quality pursuant to section 673.9.3 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program Grants Manual.
• The Raymond H. Neri Community Park project, 002201A, was completed in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Funding for the project is included in the FY26-FY31 Capital Improvement Plan, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas) and the LWCF grant program. Execution of the Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use is an administrative action required under the grant agreement and does not modify the approved project budget.
• This administrative action has no fiscal impact.
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Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.2 Maintain and enhance County infrastructure.
1.3 Increase access to green space.
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
Summary:
Summary
The Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use must be executed and filed in the Pinellas County Public records to remain compliant with the FDEP LWCF grant agreement signed in 2023. Completing the document will allow the County to be reimbursed for $1,185,182 of the work completed at Raymond H. Neri Community Park once all closeout documents have been submitted to FDEP.
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Background Information:
On November 14, 2023, the County entered into grant agreement LW760 with FDEP to expand and improve amenities at Raymond H. Neri Community Park. The agreement provides reimbursement of up to $1.5M in federal funds through the Land and Water Conservation Fund administered through FDEP and requires a County match of $1.5M. Total reimbursable expenses through the grant amount to $1,185,182. The agreement was signed by the Board of County Commissioners Chairman. The project was completed and a ribbon cutting was held on January 30, 2026. To receive grant reimbursement from FDEP, the Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use must be executed and filed in the Pinellas County Public Records, committing the County to keeping the property available for public recreational use in accordance with the grant agreement.
Fiscal Impact:
Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use completion and approval satisfies a grant requirement associated with acceptance of Land and Water Conservation Fund assistance. This administrative action has no additional fiscal impact and does not modify the approved project budget.
FDEP grant agreement LW760 is a reimbursement-based grant for $1,500,000.00.
Parks and Conservation Resources estimate a reimbursement of $1,185,182.00 for eligible expenditures.
The Raymond H. Neri Community Park project, 002201A, was completed in FY26. Funding for the project is included in the FY26-FY31 Capital Improvement Plan, funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and the LWCF grant in the ARPA and Capital Projects Funds.
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks and Conservation Resources
Partners:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Attachments:
Notice of Site Dedication and Limitation of Use
Attachment A Sketch and Description
Attachment B FDEP_Executed_Grant_Agreement-LW760
Attachment C Boundary Map