Subject:
Title
Resilient Florida Grant Program application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Pinellas County Manufactured Home Communities Wastewater Collection Systems Improvements.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval for the Utilities Department to apply for funding from the Resilient Florida Grant Program with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Pinellas County Manufactured Home Communities (MHC) Wastewater Collection System Improvements.
• The County is requesting additional funding in the amount of $23,987,745.00 from FDEP to construct critical wastewater infrastructure for MHC in the unincorporated area of Pinellas County and the City of Largo.
• Utilities is underway with the Pinellas County MHC Wastewater Collection System Improvements Project. The project is a multi-year, multi-funded project to reduce sanitary sewer overflows related to failing private systems at MHCs. The current project identifies 13 communities and is funded for a total of $48,482,487.00 as follows:
o 2021 - Restore Act Grant from Gulf Consortium: $2,053,487.00.
o 2022 - Resilient Florida Grant through FDEP: $25,000,000.00.
o 2023 - American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding: $13,879,000.00.
o 2024 - Additional ARPA funding: $7,550,000.00 (reallocation from ARPA Septic-to-Sewer Phase 1 Project).
• Based on actual construction bids, the County is able to complete 7 out of 13 MHCs, with existing funding, in the amount of $45,638,546.88 (the difference is other project costs already incurred, i.e., system designs).
• If awarded, these grant funds will allow the County to complete 3 additional MHCs and other funding sources will be pursued for the remaining communities.
• This grant requires 50% matching funds. A portion of the matching funds are available under MHC Wastewater Collection Systems Improvements Project 005015A, included in the Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Proposed Capital Improvement Plan, funded by ARPA funds, in the amount of $20,507,784.00. The remaining matching funds are anticipated through a Restore Act federal grant in the amount of $3,479,961.00. If the grant is awarded, the appropriate budget amendments will be proposed to the Board of County Commissioners.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
3.5 Foster a sustainable and resilient community that is prepared for sea level rise and a changing climate
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Deliver First-Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Summary
Pinellas County Utilities (PCU) is requesting funding to construct critical wastewater infrastructure at Manufactured Home Communities (MHC) in the unincorporated areas of Pinellas County and the City of Largo. The project addresses state-level flooding and sea-level rise issues, as outlined in Florida Section 380.093, which demonstrates an increased frequency and duration of rainfall events and severe weather systems, as well as sea-level rise. These wetter climate conditions are anticipated to exacerbate existing I&I issues and worsen the already poor condition of the existing subterranean sanitary sewer infrastructure. The project will improve this critical wastewater infrastructure to reduce sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), which will help restore water quality in the area and contribute to habitat conservation, protecting living coastal and marine resources.
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Background Information:
The project will cost-effectively reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and lessen flood impacts to communities and local waterbodies. There is a total of 13 MHCs included in the project. The County has already secured funding for the first seven (7) through multiple other funding sources which are currently in the bidding phase. If the County receives this additional funding, three additional MHC can be improved. The County will pursue additional grant funding from other sources to complete the remaining three MHC.
Fiscal Impact:
This is a multi-year reimbursement grant project that will impact Fiscal Years (FY) 2025-2028.
This grant requires 50% matching funds. The funding sources for County matching funds are American Rescue Plan Act funds beginning October 1, 2024, and excluding planned actual expenditures prior to that date($20,507,784) and anticipated Restore Act grant funds, which have not been fully executed by neither the grantor nor the grantee ($3,479,961), for a total of $23,987,745.
Funds for this project are available under Manufactured Home Communities Wastewater Collection Systems Improvements Project 005015A, included in the FY25-FY30 Proposed Capital Improvement Program, funded by American Rescue Plan Act funds, Resilient Florida federal grants funds passed through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and anticipated Restore Act federal grant funds. If the grant is awarded, the appropriate budget amendments will be proposed to the Board of County Commissioners.
Staff Member Responsible:
Jeremy Waugh, Director, Utilities
Partners:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
Attachments:
OMB Grants Review Form
FY22-23 Application
FDEP Agreement No. 22FRP09
MHC Resilient Florida - Additional Funding Request
Project Detail 005015A FY25-FY30 Proposed