Subject:
Title
Grant agreement with Florida Department of Environmental Protection for reliability improvements at four County Utilities Department facilities.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant agreement with Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for reliability improvements at four Pinellas County Utilities facilities.
• The FDEP grant agreement provides $3,435,850.00, as part of the Resilient Florida Grant Program, for hardening improvements to mitigate flood and wind vulnerability at four Pinellas County Utilities facilities.
• The four facilities to be improved are Logan Laboratory, South Cross Bayou Advanced Water Reclamation Facility (SCBAWRF) Dewatering Operations Facility, SCBAWRF Education Center, and the General Maintenance Operations Center.
• Improvements will prevent service disruption during storm events and provide protection against wind speeds up to 156 mph or greater.
• Improving the structural integrity of these critical facilities directly improves the Utilities Department’s ability to operate safely and continuously during hurricanes, emergencies, and other natural disasters.
• Work must be completed, and all deliverables received, by June 30, 2026.
• County match of at least 66.2%, or $6,729,387.00, is required. Matching funds are available in the Water Renewal and Replacement Fund and the Sewer Renewal and Replacement Fund and are budgeted in Project 002149A (Logan Laboratory Improvements).
• Board Chairman to sign the grant agreement.
• County Administrator, as authorized representative, to sign the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Reporting Requirements form, and Build America, Buy America Acknowledgement.
• The Intent to Apply for this grant was approved by the County Administrator on October 1, 2021, and then ratified by the Board of County Commissioners on October 26, 2021.
Grant Agreement FDEP No. 22FRP10; in the amount of $10,165,237.00; Agreement term ends on September 30, 2026; Authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement and the Clerk of the Circuit Court to attest; County Administrator, as authorized representative, to sign the SLFRF Reporting Requirements form, and Build America, Buy America Acknowledgement.
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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
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where practical
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.4 Invest in infrastructure to meet current and future needs
Deliver First-Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
Summary
This Agreement provides $3,435,850 from the FDEP Resilient Florida Grant Program. The County’s required match is $6,729,387 for a total of $10,165,237. Funds will be used to complete hardening improvements at four (4) critical Utilities Department facilities to mitigate vulnerabilities to withstand at least a Category 4 hurricane. The four (4) County facilities to be improved are Logan Laboratory, South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility (SCBWRF) Dewatering Operations Facility, SCBWRF Education Center, and the General Maintenance Operations Center. The project will be advertised for bid and all work will be completed by FY 2026.
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Background Information:
These building projects were developed as a result of a wind study that was performed in 2020 to determine wind classification of various critical buildings for the Utilities Department along with recommendations for structural improvements that would enhance resiliency during major hurricanes. Work will include retrofitting and hardening improvements for four (4) critical Utilities Department facilities to prevent service disruption and provide protection from wind speeds up to 156 mph or greater. Improving the viability of these critical facilities directly improves the Utilities Department’s ability to operate safely and continuously during hurricanes, emergencies, and other natural disasters, providing numerous positive outcomes, including; mitigation and elimination of sanitary sewer overflows, ability to safely house staff for continuous facility operation and rapid response during emergency operations; ability to test and confirm safe drinking water and wastewater treatment plant permit compliance; and the ability to keep SCBWRF operational. The Intent to Apply for this grant was approved by the County Administrator on October 1, 2021, and then ratified by the Board of County Commissioners on October 26, 2021.
Fiscal Impact:
This is a multi-year reimbursement grant project that will impact the Annual Budget in Fiscal Years 23-26. Allowable project expenditures made on or after July 1, 2021 may be claimed for purposes of satisfying the match requirement.
FDEP Funding $ 3,435,850.00
County Match $ 6,729,387.00
Total Amount $10,165,237.00
County matching funds are budgeted in Project 002149A Logan Laboratory Improvements, Project 004578A Building Hardening - General Maintenance Building South, Project 005226A South Cross Bayou Building Hardenings for the Operations Support Center and Dewatering Building, funded by the Water Renewal and Replacement Fund and Sewer Renewal and Replacement Fund, in the amount of $14,795,540, with County funds accounting for $11,616,000.
Task must be completed, and all deliverables received by June 30, 2026.
Staff Member Responsible:
Megan Ross, P.E., Director, Utilities
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Agreement
SLFRF Reporting Requirements Form
Build America, Buy America Acknowledgement
Project Location Map
OMB email approval