Subject:
Title
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program grant application, maintenance agreement, and model statement of assurances to the Florida Department of Emergency Management for acquisition of repetitive loss properties project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HGMP) grant application, maintenance agreement, and model statement of assurances to the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) for acquisition of repetitive loss properties project.
• Acquisition of repetitive loss properties in floodplains has been identified as a priority through the Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) Plan.
• HMGP grant funding requested is $9,963,168.00 (75%); anticipated County match is $3,321,056.00 (25%).
• County match will be funded through the RESTORE Council Spill Component GNSSP23FL0048 grant award and Gulf Consortium State Expenditure Plan (SEP) Project 16-3, Land Acquisition for Floodplain Restoration and Resiliency through Subrecipient Agreement No. 230048163.01.
• County Administrator was granted authority to approve and sign the Grant Application on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners (Board) per Legistar item 24-0603A on April 23, 2024.
• Application deadline for Department submission is June 7, 2024.
• RESTORE Land Acquisition for Floodplain Restoration and Resiliency, project 005120A, is budgeted in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Program plan and funded by a federal pass-through grant with The Gulf Consortium. If awarded and approved, the County will have grant funding in the amount of $13,284,224.00, and the FDEM HMGP award of $9,963,168.00 will be programmed into the Proposed FY25-30 CIP plan.
• Should the County be awarded the $9,963,168.00, new funding and projects will be proposed to be added to the Capital Budget. This will not offset existing funding.
County PID 005120A; HMGP grant funding requested is $9,963,168.00 (75%); County match is 3,321,056.00 (25%); Total amount is $13,284,224.00.
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
Summary:
The Board granted authority to the County Administrator to sign and submit the Grant Application and required forms for acquisition of repetitive loss properties within unincorporated floodplain areas per Legistar item 24-0603A on April 23, 2024. The Grant Application has been prepared by the Public Works and Real Estate Management Departments to submit by the June 7, 2024, application deadline. If awarded, this HMGP grant funding will build upon awarded RESTORE grant funds for PID 005120A, SEP 16-3, Land Acquisition for Floodplain Restoration and Resiliency, which will be used for the required County match amount.
Background/Explanation:
This project to acquire repetitive loss and floodplain properties will benefit County communities and the environment by converting properties that are vulnerable to impact from storm events and sea level rise to stormwater mitigation areas. These converted areas will reduce flooding of homes, businesses, and roads in the watershed, increase coastal resilience, and improve water quality. Acquisition of property for floodplain compensation is likely to significantly reduce flood elevations and improve the flooding level of service for roads and structures in the floodplain.
The Pinellas Local Mitigation Strategy Plan ranked this project to be eligible for partial Tier 1 funding and as priority for Tier 2 funding. Total project estimate is $13,284,224.00, with opportunity to receive $9,963,168.00 from the HMGP Tier 1 and Tier 2 award periods, with Tier 1 award being $2,252,413.00 and Tier 2 being up to an additional $7,710,755.00 over the 36-month timeline. County match is $3,321,056.00 as leveraged from previously awarded Federal RESTORE Act Spill Component State Expenditure Plan grant funds.
Fiscal Impact:
RESTORE Land Acquisition for Floodplain Restoration and Resiliency, project 005120A, is budgeted in the FY24-FY29 Capital Improvement Program plan and funded by a federal pass-through grant with The Gulf Consortium in the amount of $3,321,056.
The Gulf Consortium (as leveraged RESTORE Council Spill Component funds) grant funding of $3,321,056.00 will fulfill the 25% required match from the County in this grant application for $9,963,168.00 from HMGP.
If awarded and approved, the HMGP grant funding will be programmed into the Proposed FY25-FY30 CIP Plan with a total project estimate of $13,284,224.00 and will allow for greater acquisition opportunities. If HMGP grant funding is not awarded and approved the total project estimate will remain $3,321,056.00 and can still move forward.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this grant application and the required documents was authorized by the Board of County Commissioners on April 23, 2024 (Legistar File # 24-0603A - Staff Report is attached).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Gulf Consortium
FDEM
Attachments:
Application
Model Statement of Assurances
Local Mitigation Strategy Letter
OMB Grants Review