Subject:
Title
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grant Subrecipient Agreement between the County and the City of Dunedin for funding of the Lofty Pines Septic to Sewer project in unincorporated Pinellas County near the City of Dunedin.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Grant Subrecipient Agreement between the County and the City of Dunedin (City) for funding of the Lofty Pines Septic to Sewer project in unincorporated Pinellas County near the City of Dunedin.
• Grant funding from FDEP is in the amount of $500,000.00 with no County match required.
• The County will act as pass through for FDEP grant to City to fund conversion from septic to a sanitary sewer collection system for 120 residences.
• The City will contribute $1,614,210.00 towards the project cost.
FDEP contract number LPA0036 in the amount of $500,000.00; completion date no later than December 31, 2023. Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
3.4 Reduce/reuse/recycle resources including energy, water, and solid waste
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in communities that need the most
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
The proposed project includes construction of a sanitary sewer collection system which will tie into the City of Dunedin’s wastewater service area. This will improve public health, provide for community enhancement, and reduce nutrient and bacteria pollution in nearby waters.
The project is in the Curlew Creek Watershed within the City of Dunedin. The Lofty Pines community resides in unincorporated Pinellas County and borders the City of Dunedin. The community is categorized as low and moderate income. Currently, all 120 homes use septic tanks. There is no formal stormwater management system within the neighborhood. Age and condition of the septic systems are problematic and sewage discharge is contributing to public health concerns and bacteria violations in Jerry Branch, which is part of the Curlew Creek Watershed. The City is the lead on the design, permitting, and construction of the sanitary sewer system. The County will pass through this grant funding for the construction phase of the project.
Over the next year, the County will work with the City to develop a septic closure and connection plan with funding through the RESTORE Act.
Body
Background Information:
In 2016, the City of Dunedin completed a comprehensive septic abatement program to identify and prioritize septic to sewer conversions within the Dunedin wastewater service area. The Lofty Pines community was identified as a high priority project given the age and failure of the septic tanks and impact to downstream waters. To facilitate the project, the County and the City agreed to partner to bring sanitary sewer service to the community. FDEP awarded a grant of $500,000.00 for this project. The City has agreed to contribute $1,614,210 to project costs in addition to the grant funding.
This item is being approved in coordination with the Grant Agreement between FDEP and the County for septic to sanitary sewer collection system conversion in the Lofty Pines area.
Fiscal Impact:
This is a Grant Subrecipient Agreement with the City of Dunedin in the amount of $500,000.00 to construct a sanitary sewer collection system for up to 120 homes in the Lofty Pines Community. The County will pass through this grant funding for the construction phase of the project. No County match is required. The future septic closure and connection plan proposes to utilize RESTORE Act funding and would come back to the Board as a separate agreement.
Neither this grant nor the overall project is included in the FY20 Adopted Budget including the FY20-25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). It will be incorporated during FY21 budget development. Payment will be made in FY23 upon project completion.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEP
City of Dunedin
Attachments:
Agreement
Exhibit B - Cost Estimate
Project Location Map