Subject:
Title
Application amendments of a grant application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Communities Trust Program for the acquisition of the Gladys Douglas Property in Dunedin, FL.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the County Administrator of amendments made to the grant application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Communities Trust Program for the acquisition of the Gladys Douglas Property in Dunedin, FL.
• Grant request of $2,400,000.00 in FDEP Florida Communities Trust funds with a match of $3,600,000.00 in matching funds to be shared between Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin.
• Approval by the County Administrator on the original application was required to meet the Florida Communities Trust grant application deadline of December 15, 2020. Amendments to the application were made March 4, 2021.
• Amendments to the application include changing Pinellas County as the primary applicant to the City of Dunedin, changing the request from a joint acquisition to a reimbursement, and changing dual ownership of the parcels to sole ownership with the City of Dunedin. All amendments and supporting clarification are highlighted in the amended application provided.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.2 Preserve and manage environmental lands, beaches, parks and historical assets
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Pinellas County has submitted application amendments for the FCT grant for acquisition of the Gladys Douglas Property with the City of Dunedin. The Gladys Douglas Property is a 44.01-acre site comprised of two parcels located at 1900 Virginia Avenue in Dunedin, FL. The joint Florida Communities Trust grant application being submitted is requesting $2,400,000.00 in grant funding with a $3,600,000.00 match from Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin.
Background/Explanation:
Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin are planning to acquire the Gladys Douglas Property with the intent to protect significant species found in the area and to enhance the property with recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors to Pinellas County. The plan for the Project Site includes developing a recreational hiking trail and a multi-purpose trail across both the eastern and western parcels that will incorporate viewing benches, an observation platform, an educational kiosk, and picnic facilities. A fishing pier and canoe/kayak launch will be constructed on the eastern parcel along the shoreline of Jerry Lake which will provide recreational water access that was not previously available to the public at Jerry Lake.
The site is considered to be a Locally Significant Natural Area (LNA) by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) because the site is located on or near a significant region of scrub habitat, a natural community in decline that provides important habitat for several rare species within a small area. The western parcel contains the last remaining documented Rosemary Bald in Pinellas County.
Pinellas County is dedicated to collaborating and working alongside the City of Dunedin Parks and Recreation Department for the ongoing maintenance and operations of the park to ensure its sustainability for many generations. Park staff from both organizations will provide upkeep to facilities, invasive species removal, habitat monitoring, and educational outreach activities to be detailed in an Interlocal Agreement.
Amendments to the original application were submitted to FDEP on March 4, 2021 and include changing Pinellas County as the primary applicant to the City of Dunedin, changing the request from a joint acquisition to a reimbursement, and changing dual ownership of the parcels to sole ownership with the City of Dunedin. All amendments and supporting clarification are highlighted in the amended application provided
Fiscal Impact:
If awarded, the Florida Communities Trust grant will provide up to $2,400,000.00 in funding towards the acquisition of the approximate 44-acre tract of land known as the Gladys Douglas Property.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to approve and sign this application and approve application amendments is granted under Code Section 2-62 (a)(1).
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources
Jennifer Calvert, Senior Grants Specialist, Pinellas County Parks & Conservation Resources
Partners:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
City of Dunedin
Attachments:
Amended FCT Grant Application