Subject:
Title
Emergency Grant Funding Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Red Tide Management for and within Pinellas County.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the Emergency Grant Funding Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Red Tide Management for and within Pinellas County.
Authorize the Chairman to sign and the Clerk to attest the agreement.
County PID No. 90004G1, FDEP Contract No. AB006, for funding in the amount of $1,300,748.70.
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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
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
Executing the agreement with the state provides the funding necessary to respond to a large scale impact from red tide. The funding will be utilized for contractual services related to red tide debris removal in offshore waters, on the beaches, within the Intracoastal Waterway and associated canals, and Tampa Bay.
The reimbursement period for this agreement begins on August 31, 2018 and expires on December 1, 2018.
Background Information:
In August 2018, the Governor issued Executive Order 18-221 declaring a state of emergency due to impacts of red tide in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties. Through the executive order, state funding is available to respond to red tide impacts in southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area. The County is currently reporting very low to medium concentrations of red tide in the southern half of the county. Dead fish have washed onshore in Redington Beach, St. Pete Beach, and Ft. De Soto. Based on the best available information, red tide may cause significant impacts to the County and therefore a funding assistance grant has been requested to cover the expenses associated with contractual services to remove and dispose of red tide related debris should an event occur. The County will be the recipient of the funds from the FDEP and will perform any clean up requested by the other municipalities. Currently, minimal resources have been expended to assist with any clean up from the effects of red tide. In the event additional resources are needed, the state has indicated they can amend the agreement to add additional funding.
Fiscal Impact:
This grant agreement provides state funding of $1,300,748.70 through reimbursement for expenditures incurred. This funding and the associated expenditures are not included in the Fiscal Year 2019 Tentative Budget. There is no match required for this funding. If necessary, a budget resolution will be brought forward for consideration at a later date.
Staff Member Responsible:
Rahim Harji, Assistant County Administrator
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Agreement