Subject:
Title
Grant agreement with WK Preservation Group, Inc. for grant funds in the amount of $1.5M designated for the purchase of the West Klosterman Property as specified in Exhibit A from the Pinellas County School Board for addition to the Mariners Point Management Area as specified in Exhibit B.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the grant agreement (Grant) with WK Preservation Group, Inc. (WKPG) for Grant funds in the amount of $1.5M designated for the purchase of the West Klosterman Property as specified in Exhibit A (Property) from the Pinellas County School Board (PCSB) for addition to the Mariners Point Management Area as specified in Exhibit B.
• The Property is owned by PCSB and PCSB is desirous of selling the Property.
• The PCSB and the County have negotiated a purchase price not to exceed $3.0M and will enter a contract for sale and purchase after execution of the grant.
• The County will provide 50.0% of the funding required to purchase the Property in an amount not to exceed $1.5M.
• The grant from WKPG will fund $1.5M of the funding required to purchase the Property.
• WKPG is a Florida not-for-profit corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes and was formed to undertake preservation and conservation of lands that provide natural habitat and environmental advantage, raising funds and distributing funds for this purpose.
• Resolution 23-61 delegates the authority to execute the grant to the County Administrator.
• Acquisition is budgeted under the Environmental Lands Acquisition project, 002168A. This project is budgeted in the FY24-FY29 Capital Improvement Program plan and has an FY24 budget of $4.5M funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas).
Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where practical
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 Customer
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.4 Strive to serve the needs of all Pinellas County residents and customers
Summary:
Approval and execution of the Grant by the County Administrator will provide 50% of the funding for purchase of the Property via the Grant from WKPG.
Background/Explanation:
The Property contains 14 acres of environmentally sensitive land located on West Klosterman Boulevard in Tarpon Springs and is adjacent to Mariner’s Point. County staff has previously placed this Property on its list of environmental lands targeted for acquisition through the Parks and Environmental Lands Acquisition Program if it became available for sale.
The PCSB no longer needs the Property and is desirous of selling.
WKPG is a Florida not-for-profit corporation organized for charitable and educational purposes and was formed to undertake preservation and conservation of lands that provide natural habitat and environmental advantage, raising funds and distributing funds for this purpose. Through its fundraising efforts, WKPG has committed to providing 50.0% of the purchase price to assist the County with the acquisition of this environmentally sensitive acquisition.
This Property will be owned by the County and added to Mariner’s Point Management Area.
Fiscal Impact:
Resolution 23-61 provides a preliminary funding commitment from the County in an amount not to exceed $1.5M, subject to finalization of the Grant with WKPG and finalization of a Sale and Purchase Agreement with PCSB.
PCSB has agreed to sell Property for $3.0M. WKPG will provide a donation in the amount of 50.0% of the negotiated purchase price towards the acquisition.
The County contribution is budgeted under CIP project 002168A - Environmental Lands Acquisition, funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas). FY24 budget for 002168A is $4.5M.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign the Grant Agreement is granted under Resolution 23-61.
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks and Conservation Resources
Partners:
Pinellas County School Board
WK Preservation Group
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
Resolution 23-61
Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Location Map