Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Resolution 23-R88, Ratifying the City Manager’s Execution of the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grant Agreement for Reducing Nutrient Pollution into the North Fork of St. Lucie River through the Baffle Boxes Project and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to Same Extending the Term.
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Submitted By: Bret Kaiser, NPDES Project Manager, Public Works
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Staff requests a City Council resolution (i) ratifying the City Manager’s execution of a grant agreement with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) facilitating the design and construction of an infrastructure-based water quality project for the D-8 and D-10 canals, leading into the Harbor and Degan Waterways, and (ii) authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to that same grant agreement extending its term. Note that the extension allows for this project to be completed concurrently with the Floresta Phase III project and therefore, will reduce the impacts to the residents by consolidating the construction into the same timeframe. FDEP, through the grant agreement, will reimburse the City for a portion of the construction costs up to $924,000. The estimated total cost of the project is $1,770,000. Completion of this project will improve water quality in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, as well as the Indian River Lagoon. In addition, FDEP has approved and proposed an amendment to the grant agreement which will extend the term of the agreement, including task due dates.
Presentation Information: No presentation will be provided but staff will be available to answer questions.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Resolution ratifying the execution of the grant agreement with the FDEP and authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to same extending its term.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the Resolution ratifying the execution of the grant agreement with the FDEP and authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to same extending its term.
2. Move that the Council not approve the Resolution and provide staff with direction
Background: The City of Port St. Lucie’s surface water management facilities were originally designed to provide drainage and flood protection; water quality treatment was not a primary consideration at the time of construction. The D-8 and D-10 Canal basin consists of approximately 425 acres of mostly residential low density with some commercial development. The area ultimately discharges into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, which is currently impaired for dissolved oxygen and nutrients. To reduce pollutants and meet the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) set forth in the St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP), the City plans to install baffle boxes in two locations to reduce nutrient pollution and protect against toxic algal blooms. The project consists of installing nutrient-separating baffle boxes to remove sediment, suspended particles, and associated pollutants from stormwater prior to discharging into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. These baffle boxes will be installed at two locations along SE Floresta Drive within the D-8 Canal and the D-10 Canal to provide water quality treatment for the older subdivision and commercial development in the community.
Issues/Analysis: Baffle Box will be designed and constructed by the end of FY 24/25.
Financial Information: This project is listed in the recommended budget for FY 24/25.
Special Consideration: Grant agreements typically require that the governing body of the entity entering into the agreement approve it by resolution, or other Council action. Here, no such requirement was set forth in the grant agreement. Per City custom and practice, the ratification of the executed grant agreement, and the authorization to execute the amendment extending the term, are being presented to the City Council for approval.
Location of Project: The Project will be located in the City of Port St. Lucie, along SE Floresta Drive, at the end of the D-8 and D-10 canals. Lat/Long (27.312778⁰N, -80.335833⁰W and 27.309167⁰, -80.332778⁰W).
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Grant Agreement NS097
3. Grant Amendment NS097
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: Legal Intake 23177-11
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Richard A. Berrios, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.