Subject:
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Grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Dunedin Causeway Resiliency and Adaptation Plan.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Dunedin Causeway Resiliency and Adaptation Plan.
• FDEP provides grant funding in the amount of $600,000.00 for the Dunedin Causeway Resiliency and Adaptation Plan.
• Funding is reimbursable to County once activities are completed.
• No County match is required.
• County will expend funds over a two-year period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 - 2025.
• Board of County Commission Chairman to sign the agreement and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds reporting form.
FDEP Agreement No. 23PLN131; Agreement provides grant funding in the amount of $600,000.00; Agreement term expires September 30, 2026.
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Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.2 Preserve and manage environmental lands, beaches, parks, and historical assets
3.5 Foster a sustainable and resilient community that is prepared for sea level rise and a changing climate
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in Communities that need it the most
4.3 Catalyze redevelopment through planning and regulatory programs
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
Summary:
Summary
A recent sea level rise (SLR) study indicates the Dunedin Causeway will be under four (4) feet of water by 2073, impacting access to homes, businesses, and Honeymoon Island State Park.
The Agreement provides $600,000.00 to County to develop the Dunedin Resiliency and Adaptation Plan, including preliminary design. The project includes evaluation of current and future roadway and shoreline conditions, vulnerability assessment related to SLR and flooding, exposure and consequence analysis, identification of alternatives including adaptation to SLR/flooding, preliminary design and guide for final design and construction.
The Resiliency & Adaptation Plan will focus on the current and future impacts of climate change and sea level rise and outline how to establish longevity for the Causeway, ensure safety of citizens and protect public resources which will ultimately become unusable due to effects of sea level rise. The Plan will provide alternatives to protect the access to a key economic asset that is a major draw for visitors and an important source of livelihood for jobs and businesses dependent on it. The project will help protect surrounding residents from the potential impacts of flooding and sea level rise and ensure the mitigation and continued safe operation of a critical infrastructure that serves as the only means of exit/evacuation route connecting residents to Alternate US 19.
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Background Information:
The Dunedin Causeway is located on Causeway Boulevard in the City of Dunedin. The 2.5 mile stretch of the Dunedin Causeway crosses St. Joseph Sound, part of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, connecting the mainland of the City of Dunedin, from SR 595 (Alternate US 19) to residential living and the entrance of Honeymoon Island State Park and its barrier islands. The Causeway is maintained through a cooperative agreement between the County and City of Dunedin. The Dunedin Causeway is the costliest stretch of roadway for the County to maintain, with an annual operating cost of more than $178,000.00. The Dunedin Causeway contains two (2) bridges that are planned for replacement in the future.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant funding request is for $600,000.00 to be expended over a two (2) year period, from FY 2024-2025. No County match funding is required. Funding is reimbursed to County upon completion of deliverables.
The funding breakdown is as follows:
FY 2024: $200,000.00
FY 2025: $400,000.00
Funding for this Agreement is included in FY 2024 Adopted Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works Department
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Grant Agreement
State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Reporting Form.