Subject:
Title
Cooperative Funding Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the Coastal Zone 5 Watershed Management Plan.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Cooperative Funding Agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the Coastal Zone 5 Watershed Management Plan (WMP).
• The agreement provides $287,500.00 in SWFWMD funding with an equal match from the County for a $575,000.00 project total.
• The Coastal Zone 5 Watershed covers approximately 6.5 square miles, extending from north of the Walsingham Bridge to Bay Pines Boulevard to the south. No formal WMP has been completed for this highly urbanized watershed.
• Project consists of developing a WMP for the Coastal Zone 5 Watershed which includes floodplain analysis, Level of Service, Surface Water Resource Assessment, and Best Management Practices.
• The WMP will provide recommendations for drainage, water quality and natural systems improvement projects.
PID No. 004760A Coastal Zone 5 Watershed Management Plan; SWFWMD Agreement No. 21CF0003420; total contract amount is $575,000.00 of which the County is responsible for $287,500.00; Agreement term is October 1, 2020 through October 1, 2025.
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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 Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
The Cooperative Funding Agreement provides funding to develop a comprehensive WMP for the Coastal Zone 5 Watershed. The project includes watershed evaluation, flood plain analysis, LOS determination, SWRA and BMP alternatives analysis. The WMP will provide recommendations for drainage, water quality and natural systems improvement projects. The Agreement period is effective from October 1, 2020 to October 01, 2025.
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Background Information:
The Coastal Zone 5 Watershed covers approximately 6.5 square miles of Southwest Pinellas County. Since no formal WMP has been completed for this watershed, the watershed evaluation and floodplain analysis will require a high level of effort. Due to the highly urbanized nature of the watershed, it has undergone major alterations to hydrology and hydraulics. Furthermore, there are substantial flooding concerns around the Baypointe Golf Course.
Section 10 of the Agreement requires the County to indemnify SWFWMD. County Resolution 06-70 prohibits the County from indemnifying others in most situations. Staff has previously requested SWFWMD remove this requirement for other recent agreement approvals (see email attachment) and SWFWMD has denied each request. It is a standard requirement in all their agreements. Staff and the County Attorney agree that the indemnification requirement is within an acceptable level of risk.
Fiscal Impact:
The total estimated cost of the project is $575,000.00, which includes up to $287,500.00 of SWFWMD funding. The County will provide matching funds of up to $287,500.00, funded through the Surface Water Utility Fee. The estimated expenditure of $150,000.00 is not included in FY21 Adopted Budget, as it was expected that Baypointe Stormwater Park Design Project would incorporate this WMP. However, the funding is available in Watershed Planning cost center of Public Works Department within the Surface Water Assessment Fund due to the estimates for two other projects coming in lower than budgeted. Reimbursement funds from SWFWMD totaling $75,000.00 are included in the FY21 Adopted Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
SWFWMD
Attachments:
Agreement
Project Location Map
Indemnification Email from SWFWMD
Resolution 06-70