Subject:
Title
Grant agreement between Pinellas County and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the acquisition of Gladys Douglas Property.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution of the grant agreement between Pinellas County (County) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the acquisition of the Gladys Douglas Property.
• The County received funding in the amount of $1.5M from the Florida Legislature through Specific Appropriation Line Item 1693A for State Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
• The Special Line-Item Appropriation is in addition to the $1.2M the County is eligible to receive through the previously approved Florida Communities Trust grant award, for a combined total of $2.7M in funding.
• The net County contribution after offsetting this funding is $800,000. Funding is available in the Penny IV Environmental and Park Lands Acquisition Program.
• The LLI funds will be utilized to offset the cost of approximately 14.84 pre-acquired acres of land with the intent to protect significant species found in the area and to enhance the property with passive recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors to Pinellas County. The 14.84 acres was appraised at $1.67M, and the County holds a less-than-fee interest in the property through a conservation easement
• The City of Dunedin holds the underlying fee title and continues to be a partner with the County on future preservation and use of the property.
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Strategic Plan:
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
Summary:
Summary
In December of 2020, Pinellas County (County), in coordination with the City of Dunedin (City), submitted a joint grant application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for Florida Community Trust (FCT) funds in an amount up to $2.4M total toward the acquisition of the Gladys Douglas Property (GDP). The County is eligible for 50% of the total FCT award. On October 29, 2021, the project was selected for funding and the grant agreement was delivered via email to both the City and the County on February 4, 2022. The agreement was executed by the County and the City and returned to FDEP within 45 days of receipt (Legistar file # 22-0285A). This Legislative Line-item (LLI) appropriation is separate and in addition to that award.
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Background Information:
The County received a letter from FDEP on September 29, 2021 which advised that, in order to receive the entire LLI Appropriation, Pinellas County must hold a Less-than-fee interest, such as a Conservation Easement (CE), in all or a portion of the property equating to $1.5M with the City of Dunedin holding the underlying fee title. On January 21, 2022, a certified appraisal was performed for the 14.84-acre portion of the property that makes up the CE and was valued at $1.67M. The CE was recorded in the official public records of Pinellas County on March 22, 2022 and provided to FDEP prior to receiving this agreement.
Fiscal Impact:
The County contributed $3,500,000 toward the purchase of the property in May 2021, funded by the Local Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas) under project 002168A Environmental Lands Acquisition. The letter regarding this FDEP grant for $1,500,000 was received after the adopted budget but will be built into the FY22 estimate during the FY23 budget process.
Staff Member Responsible:
Paul Cozzie, Director, Parks and Conservation Resources
Emily Magyar, Senior Grants Specialist
Partners:
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
City of Dunedin
Attachments:
L2106_Pinellas_Agreement
20-004-FF21 Pre-acquired Agreement (Fully executed)
Fully Executed Interlocal Agreement with Application
Conservation Easement- County Documents (01784578) AATF
Recorded Site Dedication-CE-GD Property
Intent to Apply Approval Email