Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Hear a Presentation of the St. Lucie County Vulnerability Assessment
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Submitted By: Kate Parmelee, Deputy City Manager for Strategic Initiatives & Innovation
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Executive Summary (General Business):.
Presentation Information: A 20-minute presentation will be provided by representatives from St. Lucie County.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council provide input on the Draft St. Lucie County Regional Resilience Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) for integration into the Final RVA, which will be presented for adoption at an upcoming Council meeting.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and provide input on the Draft St. Lucie County Regional Resilience Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) for integration into the Final RVA, which will be presented for adoption at an upcoming Council meeting.
2. Move that the Council provide direction.
Background: In 2023, St. Lucie County entered a grant agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for two Resilient Florida Program grant awards. These awards fund the development of a St. Lucie County Regional Resilience Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) to analyze current and future flood impacts on critical assets throughout the County. The Resilient Florida Program was created by State Statute 380.093, F.S. The Program includes the requirement for the Florida Flood Hub (USF) to develop a statewide vulnerability assessment every five years, and FDEP to develop an annual Sea Level Rise and Flooding Resilience Plan. In addition, the Statute created planning and infrastructure grant funding and developed specific criteria for conducting all vulnerability assessments, with the goal of having all counties conduct local/regional vulnerability assessments that align with the statewide effort. This Draft St. Lucie County Regional Resilience Vulnerability Assessment was prepared based on the criteria and standards set forth in state law and provides the necessary data and corresponding analyses for the County and cities to be eligible for future Resilient Florida infrastructure funding. The Draft SLC RVA assesses flooding impacts on critical assets - generally those local and regional assets that are considered critical to the health and safety of residents, the vitality of the economy and the integrity of the environment. Critical assets are defined in 4 categories within Section 380.093, F.S.: Transportation and Evacuation Routes; Critical Infrastructure; Community and Emergency Facilities; and Natural, Cultural and Historic Resources. This project included interactive community presentations, and regular meetings of the St. Lucie Resilience Steering Committee which played a vital role in shaping the RVA. The Steering Committee represented various St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village departments, as well as local and regional agency staff. The RVA represents the first step in developing a comprehensive approach to adapt to and mitigate the effects of extreme and disruptive flood events and is another tool that can be used in planning for a thriving and resilient community now and in the future. This project furthers the goals and objectives of the St. Lucie County Strategic Plan, particularly: ES 6.1.1 - Develop a St. Lucie Regional Resilience Plan that addresses natural resources, citizen safety and well-being; RI 5.3.4 - Actively seek resilience and other funding opportunities to increase resiliency and sustainability of infrastructure and facilities; and HS 4.4.3 - Ensure that public infrastructure is well maintained, resilient and prepared to undergo the challenges of an emergency event. This project also aligns with the City of Port St. Lucie’s goals of High-Quality Infrastructure & Facilities and of a Smart & Connected City and strategic initiative of a Sustainable & Resilient City. In addition to participating in the St. Lucie County Regional Resilience Vulnerability Assessment, the City of Port St. Lucie was awarded a Resilient Florida grant for a more in-depth vulnerability assessment that will be developed over the coming months.
Issues/Analysis: N/A
Financial Information: N/A
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: N/A
Business Impact Statement: N/A
Attachments:
1. St. Lucie County Draft Vulnerability Assessment PowerPoint Presentation
2. St. Lucie County Draft Vulnerability Assessment
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: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
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