Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Approve a Grant Agreement between the City of Port St. Lucie and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) for the purpose of improving the health of our local waterways, inclusive of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.
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Submitted By: Brad Macek, Utility Systems Director
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: Florida Department of Environmental Protection (“FDEP”) prepared the Grant Agreement.
2. Parties: City of Port St. Lucie and FDEP
3. Purpose: To obtain grant funds for the City’s Septic to Sewer Conversion program to reduce the cost to homeowners that are currently on septic systems to connect to the City’s wastewater collection and treatment system. The homeowners have to be located within 50 feet of a waterbody leading to the St. Lucie River and in the “hotspots” identified in the Microbial Tracking Study. The reduction and elimination of the septic systems is being proactive in improving the health of our local waterways, inclusive of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.
4. New/Renewal/Modified: New
5. Duration: Start on 10/1/2020 and end 3/31/2023
6. Benefits to Port St. Lucie: The grant fund aids in the connection of approximately 34 single family residences from Sagamore, Monterrey, and Elkcam Microbial Study Hot Spots to a central sanitary sewer system for wastewater treatment by the City of Port St. Lucie.
7. Cost to Port St. Lucie (Annual and Potential): The cost to covert the homeowner’s septic system over to the City’s wastewater collection and treatment system is paid for by the homeowner and grant’s funds. The annual maintenance cost of $129.00 is covered by the City.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the Grant Agreement # LPA0122 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: Septic to sewer conversions will help reduce nutrients from entering into the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. By converting to sewer, this will reduce wastewater contaminates such as nitrogen (TN) and phosphorous (TP) pollution to flow into our waterways and downstream to the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. The St. Lucie River has been suffering from water quality issues to the extent that the Florida Department of Health regularly cautions our residents and visitors against coming into contact with it. Approximately 3,246 septic tanks are located within “Hotspots” identified in the 2018 Microbial Tracking Study, and 869 of those systems are on residential lots within 50 feet of a waterbody leading to the St. Lucie River. As of November 30, 2020, the current number of septic tanks located within these “Hotspots” is 3,136.
Issues/Analysis: FDEP notified the City in December 17, 2020 that the City was approved by FDEP for $100,000.00 to assist in the City’s Septic to Sewer Conversion program, from the Legislative Appropriation Fund. The FDEP has submitted Grant Agreement #LPA0122 to the City for review and approval. Grant agreement #LPA0122 outlines the terms and conditions of the funding above.
Financial Information: Money, in the form of connection fees and future monthly bills, is the primary barrier preventing connections. The grant funds would result in the property owner paying 50% of the total cost ($5,849.00) which is $2,924.50.
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: see attached map
Attachments: 1) Location Map, 2) Grant Agreement # LPA0122
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: 5818
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Stefanie Beskovoyne, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by James D. Stokes, City Attorney.