Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Resolution 23-R58, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Grant Agreement LPA0369 with the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) for the Design and Permitting of McCarty Ranch Water Quality Restoration Area 7A.
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Submitted By: Kevin R. Matyjaszek, Utility Systems Director
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Summary Brief (Agreements/Contracts only)
1. Prepared by: Utility Systems Department
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie (“Grantee”) and the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”)
3. Purpose: Request approval to enter into a Grant Agreement with DEP for McCarty Ranch Water Quality Restoration Area 7A Design.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New.
5. Duration: The Grant Agreement expires April 30, 2025.
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: The City will complete the design and permitting for the water storage and treatment basin in the area known as Area 7A.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The Grant amount is $416,875.00.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve Resolution 23-R58 authorizing the City Manager to execute the Grant Agreement and related documents.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve Resolution 23-R58 authorizing the City Manager to execute the Grant Agreement.
2. Move that the Council not approve Resolution 23-R58 and provide staff with direction.
Background: The City is proactive in addressing water quality degradation in its impaired water bodies. The St. Lucie River and Estuary is a significant tributary to the southern extension of the Indian River Lagoon and supports several rare fish species that rely on a tidal system with a wide range of salinities for one or more phases of their life cycle. Area 7A is a 234-acre project of water farming on a fallow citrus grove and other areas of McCarty Ranch. When all seven areas of the project are constructed, it is estimated that there will a total annual treatment capacity of 20,700 acre-feet of water pumped from the C-23 Canal. The reservoir will hold back approximately 7.0 billion gallons of freshwater discharge annually. Upon completion of this phase (7A), it is projected that more than 4,560 acre-feet of water will be farmed annually, leading to a reduction of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, biological oxygen demand, and total suspended solids that enter the canal from runoff from agricultural and urban areas. Construction of the Area 7A water storage and treatment basin (outside of this agreement) will consist of an approximately 7-foot tall above-ground embankment, emergency overflow connections, structures, piping, gates, and other appurtenances.
Issues/Analysis: There is no equipment purchase or land acquisition under this Agreement.
Financial Information: The Grant amount is $416,875. There is no match requirement on the part of the Grantee under this Agreement. The City shall be reimbursed for work performed by subcontractors for the design of McCarty Ranch Water Quality Restoration Area 7A.
Special Consideration: The project will improve the water quality of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River by capturing a portion of the flow in the C-23 Canal in a pond-like structure, infiltrating the stored water directly to the groundwater, or return it to the canal with emergency overflow outlets during extreme rain events. The Grantee will complete the design and permitting for the water storage and treatment basin Area 7A.
Location of Project: McCarty Ranch Water Quality Restoration Area 7A, more particularly described in the Location Map (Figure 1 of the Grant Agreement).
Attachments:
1. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Grant Agreement.
2. Exhibit “A” to the Resolution (Grant Agreement).
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: 10094
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Camille Wallace, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.