Subject:
Title
Ratification of the County Administrator’s approval and execution of the grant funding agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Red Tide Management for and within the County.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Ratify, confirm, and enter into the minutes the approval and execution of the grant funding agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Red Tide Management for and within the County.
• FDEP grant RT001 provides funding in the amount of $902,500.00 for clean-up of biological debris due to red tide through July 10, 2021.
• Services contracted to include, but are not limited to are containment, removal, cleanup, elimination, transportation, and disposal.
• The County Administrator signed the agreement on July 17, 2021 and such action was recorded on the Receipt and File Report dated August 24, 2021.
• No matching funds required.
FDEP Contract No. RT001; funding in the amount of $902,500.00; agreement term ninety days from execution and retroactive to June 11, 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, 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:
Summary
The grant agreement provides reimbursement for response to the impact of red tide within the County. Funding will be utilized for services related to red tide debris removal in offshore waters, on the beaches, within the Intracoastal Waterway and associated canals, and Tampa Bay. Reimbursement is for contractual costs and in-house work to the County and City of St. Petersburg for removal and disposal of dead fish. The reimbursement period for this agreement begins upon execution and is retroactive from June 11, 2021.
Due to emergency reimbursement requirements, the County Administrator signed the agreement effective July 16, 2021, as recorded on the Receipt and File Report of August 24, 2021. The approval and execution were performed through Legistar Item No. 21-819D.
The Legistar item for ratification is a companion item to Legistar Item No. 21-1471A, also on today’s Agenda. Legistar Item No. 21-1471A includes an interlocal agreement with the City of St. Petersburg providing for reimbursement from the County to the City for expenses incurred by the City addressing the effects of red tide. Funding for reimbursement to the City comes from the FDEP emergency grant being approved through this ratification, but will require a separate interlocal agreement with the City.
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Background Information:
In June 2021, reports of fish kill associated with red tide in the County were brought to the attention of FDEP. The Florida Legislature appropriated funds to FDEP which may be used to support local governments in cleaning beaches and coastal areas. This effort will minimize impact of red tide to residents and visitors and alleviate effects from the red tide algae blooms, which may cause harm to Florida’s environment and fragile ecosystems, including beaches and wildlife.
Fiscal Impact:
This grant agreement provides State funding of $902,500.00 through reimbursement for expenditures incurred for Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg as of July 10, 2021. There is no match required for this funding.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Agreement