Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreement with the City of St. Petersburg for Red Tide cleanup and reimbursement.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of St. Petersburg (City) for Red Tide cleanup and reimbursement of costs incurred as of July 10, 2021.
• The Interlocal Agreement (ILA) provides for County reimbursement to the City for attributable expenses related to red tide clean up in City waterways.
• The County received emergency grant funds from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in the amount of $902,500.00 for cleanup and debris removal within the County and the City related to the Red Tide event.
• Of that amount, a not to exceed amount of $670,454.00 is attributable to City expenses incurred as of July 10, 2021.
• The ILA facilitates County payment to the City upon submission of a reimbursement request detailing actual costs incurred by September 17, 2021. No agency match is required.
The County continues to seek additional funding from FDEP in support of the ongoing response to Red Tide costs occurred post-July 10, 2021.
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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 of the public’s resources
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our land, 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:
Summary
The County received emergency grant funding on July 19, 2021 from the FDEP for biological debris removal within the County and City of St. Petersburg waterways. The grant for $902,500.00 pays for expenses incurred for removal of biological debris associated with the red tide event currently impacting the County and City. No matching funds are required. Of that amount, an estimated $670,454.00 is attributable to City expenses incurred as of July 10, 2021.
This Interlocal Agreement facilitates County payment to the City in an amount estimated at $670,454.00. The City must submit its reimbursement request and all supporting documentation to the County no later than September 17, 2021.
This Legistar item is a companion item to Legistar Item No. 21-1475A, also on today’s Agenda. Legistar Item No. 1475A is the ratification of the County Administrator’s approval and execution of the grant funding agreement with the FDEP. The approval and execution were performed through Legistar Item No. 21-819D.
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Background Information:
The emergency grant funding recently received from FDEP pays for contractual costs and city in-house work related to the clean-up of biological debris due to red tide. Funding utilized for services related to red tide debris removal in offshore waters, on the beaches, within the Intercoastal Waterway and associated canals, and Tampa Bay. Services include containment, removal, cleanup, elimination, transportation, and disposal. The effort will minimize the impact of red tide to residents and visitors and alleviate effects from the red tide algae blooms, which may cause harm to the environment and fragile ecosystems, including beaches and wildlife. The FDEP emergency grant agreement with the County is for cost incurred beginning June 11, 2021 and for a total of ninety (90) days from Agreement execution.
Fiscal Impact:
The Interlocal Agreement facilitates payment by County to City for the reimbursement of an amount not to exceed $670,454.00 for City expenses incurred due to red tide cleanup. Funding for this reimbursement comes from an FDEP grant received by the County on July 19, 2021 in the not to exceed amount of $902,500.00. No agency match is required. Neither the grant reimbursement revenue nor associated expenditures were anticipated in FY21 estimates used in the development of the FY22 Proposed Budget. A Budget Amendment will be brought forward if necessary.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
City of St. Petersburg
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Attachments:
Agreement
Project Location Map