Subject:
Title
Interlocal Agreement with the City of St. Petersburg for support of the Inter-City Cross Bay Ferry Service.
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the Interlocal Agreement with the City of St. Petersburg (City) for County funding of operations of the Inter-City Cross Bay Ferry Service.
• On May 13, 2022 the County gave cancelation notice to the Inter-City Cross Bay Ferry Service partners of the four-season Interlocal Funding Agreement.
• A new Interlocal Agreement provides funding to the City for the next three years of operation, specifically Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 - 2025.
• Agreement requires City to use the funding in support of the Inter-City Ferry Service, as agreed to by their participation in a separate interlocal agreement among the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and likely, Florida Department of Transportation.
• A one-time, lump sum payment of $129,500.00 will be made to City to cover County’s share, as follows: FY23 - $38,000.00; FY24 - $40,500.00 and FY25 - $51,000.00. The County will be reimbursed a prorated amount if the service is discontinued for any reason.
• County funding is derived through the General Fund, as originally planned for the FY23 amount of $190,000 under the former agreement.
• The signed Interlocal Agreement will be presented to City Council for approval on August 4, 2022.
Agreement in the amount of $129,500.00 addresses funding through the FY25 season.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
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:
Summary
This Interlocal Agreement provides for a one-time payment in the amount of $129,500.00. The Agreement requires the City to utilize funding in support of the Inter-City Ferry Service, as agreed to by their participation in a separate interlocal agreement among the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and potentially, Florida Department of Transportation.
This funding is required to be utilized in support of the FY 2023 - 2025 seasons for Inter-City Ferry Service and will be reimbursed in a prorated amount if the operation of the service is not continued for the Agreement term. The City and County agree that it is in the best interest of each party that responsibilities associated with funding and oversight of the Inter-City Ferry Service be handled by the City. The Agreement requires the City provide an annual report on ridership, revenues, and surveys.
Body
Background Information:
The Board authorized the County Administrator to provide notice to partner governmental agencies for cancelation of the original Inter-City Cross Bay Ferry Service Interlocal funding agreement after the first season of the four-season Interlocal Agreement. The Board instructed staff to meet with the partner governmental agencies and renegotiate terms for continued support of the Inter-City Cross Bay Ferry Service. The County sought to modify provisions and terms to more equitably align funding based on the FY 2022 season data and any new information from the ferry service provider, HMS, or partners.
Staff met with the partners to discuss potential modifications to the Agreement and terms. Utilizing the data provided, it was estimated that approximately 5% of the passengers were unincorporated County residents. This estimate was utilized for determining the funding percentage for County participation. A Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) grant for funding of the Inter-City Ferry Service at 20% allows the funding levels of the other partners to remain unchanged. Hillsborough County has committed to sustainable approaches including electric or alternative fuel vessels in the future development of the service.
Fiscal Impact:
The County will make a one-time payment to the City in the amount of $129,500.00, for the purpose of supporting the next three (3) seasons of operation of the Inter-City Ferry Service. Funding will be used by the City over the upcoming three (3) year period as follows: $38,00000 for FY 2023, $40,500.00 for FY 2024, and $51,000.00 for FY 2025. Funding will be derived through the General Fund.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
City of St. Petersburg
Attachments:
Interlocal Agreement