Placement: New Business
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Request for Funding Partnership with St. Lucie County to Support Environmental Lands and Construction of an Observation Tower at Walton Scrub Preserve
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Submitted By: Kate Parmelee, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): St. Lucie County is preparing to submit a Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) grant application in order to to construct a 60 foot tall observation tower to overlook the Indian River Lagoon and the Savannas Preserve State Park at Walton Scrub Preserve located within the City of Port St. Lucie. The County is seeking a funding partnership with the City of Port St. Lucie to apply for the FIND grant.
Presentation Information: A 5 minute presentation will be provided by Kate Parmelee.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve of the City’s participation in the grant application and funding partnership.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve of the City’s participation in the grant application and funding partnership.
2. Move that the Council not approve of the City’s participation in the grant application and funding partnership
Background: Walton Scrub Preserve is a 31-acre Preserve, purchased in 1999 from F.I.N.D.
The acquisition Funding Partners were Florida Communities Trust and F.I.N.D. with the intent of Environmentally Sensitive Lands preservation, Environmental Mitigation, Public Access, and Environmental Education.
The Preserve is located on Indian River Drive and Port St. Lucie was an original project partner at time of acquisition. The Preserve is adjacent to the DMMA-8 F.I.N.D. IRL/Intracoastal Dredge Site. Future needs of the Preserve identified by St. Lucie County include improved parking and access, Indian River Drive overhead crossing, IRL Dock/Pier, Tourism Webcam, Home Retrofit, and an Observation Tower.
In its Regional Waterways Plan, the Regional Planning Council has identified this area as a priority ecotourism destination due to its proximity to population with limited access to Indian River Lagoon. Walton Scrub is the only public accessible property on the Indian River Lagoon within the City of Port St. Lucie City Limits. In 2018, the County was awarded a FIND grant to design/permit a 60 ft. tall observation tower to overlook the IRL and the Savannas Preserve State Park. The project is now fully designed and construction ready. The estimated project cost is $700,000. The County is seeking funding partners for a FIND grant submittal. FIND is a 50/50 cost-share grant, so the County is seeking to fund half the construction cost as part of a grant submittal and has requested the City consider providing $175,000 in matching funds.
Issues/Analysis: This partnership proposal provides an opportunity for the City to advance its strategic plan priority concerning Environmental Lands through providing increased access and amenities to existing environmental lands within the City. This would be the first tower of its kind in the City of Port St. Lucie. It can accommodate up to 18 people at the top of the tower with 360 degree views of the Indian River Lagoon and Savannas State Park. A tourism web cam is planned - there currently is not a fixed cam between Jensen Beach and Fort Pierce, this would be the only lagoon view in Port St. Lucie.
Financial Information: The $175,000 matching funds can be contributed from the City’s Conservation Fund. A funding resolution will need to be executed during the technical deficiency stage (due May 21) and has been provided in the backup.
Special Consideration: The FIND Application deadline is approaching and this request is time sensitive.
Location of Project: Walton Scrub Preserve is located at 10809 S Indian River Dr, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Attachments:
1. Walton Scrub Map and Photos
2. Walton Scrub Preserve Observation Tower Rendering
2. FIND Resolution for Assistance
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:
Reviewed by Melany K. Crawford, Chief Assistant City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.