Subject:
Title
Grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the Pinellas County dune restoration project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for the Pinellas County dune restoration project.
• Through this agreement, FDEP will fund up to $15,100,000.00 of design and construction activities. This is 50% of the project estimate at the time these discussions began with FDEP ($30,200,000.00 at that time). Grant funding amount includes a combination of federal and state funding.
• County match is $15,100,000.00, funded by the Tourist Development Tax. This match is also 50% of the project estimate at the time these discussions began with FDEP ($30,200,000.00 at that time).
• The Pinellas County dune restoration project is the post Idalia Emergency Shore Stabilization project, budgeted in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2029 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan and funded by the Tourist Development Tax. The FY24 Adopted budget was $21,000,000.00.
• A budget amendment of $16,000,000.00 was approved at the Board of County Commissioner’s meeting on the December 12, 2023 (Legistar File 23-1772A). This amendment shifted $16,000,000.00 from Reserves-Future Years-Tourist Development-Beach Nourishment within the Capital Projects Fund 3001 to Post Idalia Emergency Shore Stabilization, CIP project 006241A, and resulted in an amended FY24 budget of $37,000,000.00 for project 006241A (from $21,000,000.00 to $37,000,000.00). The current total project estimate is approximately $37,000,000.00. This item replaces Legistar item 23-1861A and reflects a revised agreement and updated State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds requirements form.
PID 006241A; FDEP Grant No. 24PI1; Total estimate project cost is $30,200,000.00 including $15,100,000.00 in federal and state funding and $15,100,000.00 County match; Agreement term ends December 31, 2026.
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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
Deliver First Class Service to the Public and Our Customers
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resource
Summary:
Summary
The grant funding agreement provides for the County Dune Restoration Project, also known as the Idalia Emergency Shore Stabilization. Funding provides for design and construction of sand dunes along vulnerable stretches of shoreline that were damaged during Hurricane Idalia. Locations include Belleair Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and St. Pete Beach.
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Background Information:
This project adds protection to vulnerable shorelines damaged during Hurricane Idalia. Post storm, the County used emergency procurement methods and the state emergency final order to design and construct the ongoing Idalia Emergency Shore Stabilization. County staff was able to procure a contractor and begin placing sand within about one week. This work is currently ongoing.
Fiscal Impact:
Post Idalia Emergency Shore Stabilization, project 006241A, is included in the FY 2024-FY 2029 Capital Improvement Program, funded by Tourist Development Tax dedicated for beach nourishment. The FY 2024 budget is $21,000,000.00, $15,100,000.00 of which will fulfill the required match to the FDEP award of $15,100,000.00 FDEP. FDEP grant funding is not yet included in the project budget but will be added once approved.
Grant Project Budget:
County Match $15,100,000.00
FDEP $ 9,392,796.00
Federal (FDEP Pass through) $ 5,707,204.00
Total $ 30,200,000.00
A budget amendment of $16,000,000.00 was on the December 12, 2023, Commission Agenda (Legistar File 23-1772A) and approved. This amendment shifted $16,000,000.00 from Reserves-Future Years-Tourist Development-Beach Nourishment within the Capital Projects Fund 3001 to Post Idalia Emergency Shore Stabilization, CIP project 006241A, and resulted in an amended FY 2024 budget of $37,000,000.00 for project 006241A. The current total project estimate is approximately $37,000,000.00. FDEP grant funding will not increase the total project estimate but will reduce the County’s funding contribution.
FDEP will provide payment to the County on a cost reimbursement basis for eligible contractual services upon completion, submittal, and approval of grant work plan deliverables. Funding is intended for design and construction phases. Retainage may be held at FDEP’s discretion at up to 10%.
$5,707,204.00 of the FDEP agreement funding is a federal pass through from the United States Treasury and categorized as State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Provisions of which are included in Attachment 8 of the Agreement.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Agreement
SLFRF Reporting Requirements