Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Resolution 23-R87, Ratifying the City Manager’s Execution of the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grant Agreement for the SE Whitmore Drive Baffle Box Project
body
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 approval of a resolution 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-19 canal, leading into the Elkcam Waterway. FDEP, through the grant agreement, will reimburse the City for a portion of the construction costs up to $457,750.00 The estimated total cost of the project is $915,500. Completion of this project will improve water quality in the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, as well as the Indian River Lagoon.
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 FDEP.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the Resolution ratifying the execution of the grant agreement with the FDEP.
2. Move that the Council not approve the Resolution and provide staff 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. To improve water quality, the City seeks to install nutrient-separating baffle boxes to remove sediment, suspended particles, and associated pollutants from stormwater prior to outfall into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. With State Water-quality Assistance Grant (SWAG) funding provided in this grant agreement, the City will install one baffle box along SE Whitmore Drive at the D-19 Canal outfall, which will treat a 119-acre area. Anticipated nutrient reductions to the St. Lucie River and Estuary are as follows: 103 lbs./yr. in total nitrogen (TN) (est. 20% reduction), 18 lbs./yr. in total phosphorus (TP) (est. 19% reduction), and 21,060 lbs./yr. of total suspended solids (TSS) (est. 90% reduction) will be achieved, helping to meet the Total Daily Maximum Loads (TMDLs) set forth in the St. Lucie River and Estuary Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). Utilization of baffle boxes not only supports the goals of the St. Lucie River and Estuary BMAP, it is also identified as a best management practice per the Port St. Lucie Stormwater Master Plan (2021) (baffle boxes “improve the quality of stormwater discharged into the river by capturing sediment and trash and removing nutrients.”).
Issues/Analysis: Baffle Box will be designed and constructed by the end of FY 23/24.
Financial Information: This project is listed in the recommended budget for FY 23/24.
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 is being presented to the City Council for approval.
Location of Project: SE Whitmore Drive at the D-19 outfall, Port St. Lucie (27.281639, -80.340831)
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Grant Agreement NS107
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 23177-10
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Richard A. Berrios, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.