Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve a Grant Agreement between the City and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of implementing local alternative water supply, stormwater management, and water conservation projects, specifically the City of Port St. Lucie Utility Systems Department McCarty Ranch Extension Water Quality Restoration- Area 4.
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Submitted By: Brad Macek, Director Utility Systems Department
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Vision to preserve unique natural resources including the St. Lucie River.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”)
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie City of Port St. Lucie and FDEP
3. Purpose: To obtain FDEP 319 funds for the construction of McCarty Ranch Extension Water Quality Restoration- Area 4
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New
5. Duration: All work must be completed by June 30, 2023
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: Enhanced water quality in the St. Lucie River, recharge the local water table, retain sstormwater generated on the property and excess water pumped from the adjacent C-23 Canal
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The construction cost for Area 4 is estimated at $2,762,154.00. The overall construction costs for the entire project is estimated at $16,608,025.00 and eligible for the cooperative funding. Annual operating costs of $180,000.00 per year and the City’s matching costs are identified in the Utilities Capital Improvement Plan budget.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Grant Agreement #NF080, and return it to the Utility Systems Department for final processing with FDEP.
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: The City proposed to construct a multi-phased Water Quality Restoration/Storage as its 1,944-acre McCarty Ranch Extension site. The design/permitting of Area 4, a 304-acre above-ground water retention impoundment has been completed and is proposed to be constructed between May 1, 2021 and January 30, 2022. Once in operation, the project will retain storm water generated on the property as well as excess water pumped from the adjacent C-23 Canal. The City’s proposed Water Quality Restoration/Storage project will ultimately help recharge the local water table and reduce the volume of the nutrient filled discharges that currently directly flow to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and the St. Lucie River Estuary. Certain assumptions on grant approvals have changed, since this grant was originally submitted. The current cost estimate remains at $2,762,154.00 and the grants received are the following: 1) FDEP 319 for $718,950.00, 2) Alternative Water Supply for $487,000.00, 3) Remaining cost of $1,556,004.00 to be covered by the City. Grant funds are still pending for the Indian River Lagoon Water Quality Improvement Project ($434,402.00) and 2021 Legislative grants ($1,024,862.00).
Issues/Analysis: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) notified in April 30, 2020 that the McCarty Ranch Water Quality Restoration- Area 4 project was approved by FDEP for $718,950.00 construction with match fund of $578,635.00 from the City, through FY2020 Section 319(h) grant through the Nonpoint Source Management Program. FDEP has submitted Grant Agreement #NF080 to the City for review and approval. Grant agreement #NF080 outlines the terms and conditions of the funding above.
Financial Information: The construction for Area 4 is estimated at $2,762,154.00. The overall construction cost for the entire project is estimated at $16,608,025.00 and eligible for the cooperative funding. Annual operating costs of $180,000.00 per year and the City’s matching costs are identified in the Utilities Capital Improvement Plan budget.
Special Consideration: There are several critical milestone dates in the Agreement. The Utility Systems Department staff has reviewed these dates and they appear to be reasonable.
Location of Project: MCarty Ranch Extension-see attached Project Summary for a location map.
Attachments: 1.Project Summary 2. Grant Agreement #NF028
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: 5950
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Stefanie Beskovoyne, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.