Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation for Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the County Administrator of the Interlocal Agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment (WQMA).
• This program is required under the County’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit as issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
• Pinellas County and FDOT are co-permittees on the FDEP NPDES MS4 Permit.
• This action provides for a FDOT annual contribution of $40,000.00 for fiscal years 2021 - 2025 ($200,000.00 over five years).
• The Pinellas County portion is $310,000.00 annually funded by Surface Water Assessment.
NPDES MS4 Permit FLS000005-04; Amount is $40,000.00 annually over 5 years; Agreement will end June 30, 2025.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
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
5.3 Ensure effective and efficient delivery of county services and support
Summary:
The NPDES MS4 Permit requires the permittees to collaboratively implement a Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Program to gauge effectiveness of each permittee’s respective Stormwater Management Program, and to identify local sources of pollution where the MS4 is adversely affecting surface water quality.
The Agreement with FDOT allows the County to fully perform the Assessment Program.
FDOT will make an annual contribution of $40,000.00 for each fiscal year 2021 - 2025. Thus, the total amount of the agreement is $200,000.00. The agreement term ends June 30, 2025.
Background/Explanation:
The Pinellas County Division of Environmental Management has conducted surface water quality monitoring since 1991. This Agreement supersedes the prior FDOT Agreement executed on August 28, 2015 and subsequent Amendment One executed December 2, 2015.
The FDEP NPDES MS4 Permit is effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2023. A new NPDES MS4 Permit will be required in 2023.
Fiscal Impact:
Annual Program Costs
County: $310,000.00 funded by Surface Water Assessment
Others: $300,000.00 funded by 21 Pinellas cities through a separate agreement
FDOT: $40,000.00
Total: $650,000.00
The total estimated expenditure and associated reimbursement is included in the Public Works operating budget (Surface Water Special Assessment Fund). This agreement is consistent with the FY20 Adopted Budget and FY21 Proposed Budget.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign this agreement is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDOT
Attachments:
Agreement
Exhibit A - Pinellas County Water Quality Assessment Program
Financial Provisions
Prior Agreement
Prior Agreement, Amendment 1