Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve a Grant Agreement between the City and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), a Federal Grant Program Funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
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Submitted By: Kelly Boatwright, Senior Project Manager, Parks and Recreation Department.
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”).
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation Dept. (PSLPRD), FHWA, and FDEP.
3. Purpose: RTP funds for the construction of Wilderness Park Cambridge, and Port Preserve Trails.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: Two years from date of execution.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: Enhanced trail system throughout the City.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): Award of $500,000 from Federal grant source and $500,000 match by the City.
Presentation Information: N/A.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Grant Agreement # T21021.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the Grant Agreement.
2. Move that the Council not approve the Grant Agreement and provide staff direction.
Background: Each year, the City of Port St. Lucie conducts the National Community SurveyTM conducted by the National Research Center. Since the survey was initially conducted in 2009, resident satisfaction with paths and walking trails were much lower than national benchmarks, with just 16% of residents ranking paths and walking trails as good or excellent. Satisfaction has grown with 45% of residents ranking positively in 2020, but the City is still lower than benchmarked cities. The development of trails and a Citywide trails system is also a key component of the City of Port St. Lucie’s 10-Year Parks and Recreation System Master Plan. The City of Port St. Lucie seeks RTP funding to construct two connecting trail segments - the Wilderness Trail along Cambridge and The Port Preserve Trail.
8. Issues/Analysis: FDEP notified the City in April 2022 that the Wilderness Park Cambridge and Port Preserve Trail were approved by for $500,000 construction with match funds of $500,000 from the City. PSLPRD received the grant agreement from FDEP on August 25, 2022. This agreement has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office (CAO) via legal intake #8991 and Risk Management on October 4, 2022, for sufficiency. FDEP requires full implementation of the RTP grant funds within two years from date of execution.
Financial Information: The construction for Wilderness Park Cambridge and Port Preserve Trail is estimated at $1,000,000.
Special Consideration: There are several critical milestone dates in the Agreement. PSLPRD staff has reviewed these dates and deem them to be achievable.
Location of Project: Wilderness Park Cambridge and Port Preserve Trail - see attached Project Summary for location map.
Attachments:
1. Project Summary.
2. Grant Agreement # T2121.
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: 8991
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Camille Wallace, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.