Subject:
Title
Three Florida Department of Environmental Protection Grants (LPA0144, LPA0145, and LPA0146) for Save Our Indian River Lagoon Projects
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Fiscal Impact:
$450,000 of grant funds for 50 septic upgrades - LPA0144
$585,000 of grant funds for 65 quick connects to sewer - LPA0145
$2,500,000 of grant funds for the Eau Gallie Northeast Muck Removal Project - LPA0146
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management
Requested Action:
Recommendation
It is requested that the Board of County Commissioners authorize: 1) the Chair to execute the grant contracts pending County Attorney, Risk Management, and Purchasing approval; 2) the County Manager to execute any future amendments and change orders, to these contracts; 3) the Natural Resources Director to sign all homeowner agreements for septic upgrades or quick connects to sewer; 4) advertisement of the Eau Gallie Northeast Muck Removal Project; 5) confirmation of the Review and Qualification Committee members as John Denninghoff, Assistant County Manager to Development and Environmental Services Group; Edward Fontanin, Utility Services Director; and Virginia Barker, Natural Resources Management Director; 6) the Commission Chair to execute all associated construction contracts, amendments and change orders in excess of the County Manager’s authority; 7) the County Manager to execute task orders up to $250,000 for engineering services necessary to complete the muck removal project; and 8) budget change requests associated with the grant projects.
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Summary Explanation and Background:
Grant No. LPA0144 - 50:50 Cost Share with the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Trust Fund for 50 Septic Upgrades from Conventional Septic to Advanced, Nitrogen Reducing Septic Systems
Private homeowners will be eligible for up to $18,000 each to upgrade conventional septic systems to advanced, nitrogen-reducing septic systems. Sites that pose the highest threat to Indian River Lagoon water quality will be mailed notification of the available funding. Priority sites were selected using the State’s approved septic loading model, calibrated and validated with local groundwater concentration data. Lower priority sites will also be eligible for cost share assistance at a prorated amount based on nitrogen load reduction benefit to the lagoon.
Grant No. LPA0145 - 50:50 Cost Share with the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Trust Fund for 65 Quick Connects to Central Sewer
Private homeowners will be eligible for up to $18,000 each to properly abandon their conventional septic systems and connect to central sewer. Sites that pose the highest threat to Indian River Lagoon water quality will be mailed notification of the available funding. Priority sites were selected using the State’s approved septic loading model, calibrated and validated with local groundwater concentration data. Lower priority sites will also be eligible for cost share assistance at a prorated amount based on nitrogen load reduction benefit to the lagoon.
Grant No. LPA0146 - Cost Share with the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Trust Fund for the Eau Gallie Northeast Muck Removal Project
On February 9, 2021 the Board approved the 2021 Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan Update, including $10,020,487 allocated for the Eau Gallie Northeast Muck Removal Project. There is approximately 250,000 cubic yards (CY) of muck to be (a) dredged along the northeast side of the Eau Gallie Causeway, (b) dewatered on a Florida Inland Navigation District dredge material management site, and (c) disposed of at an approved upland disposal location.
Capital projects require significant engineering services to move through the permitting, construction and monitoring phases. Engineering task orders for large scale projects may exceed $100,000 and time is lost bringing them individually to the Board for approval. Because getting these projects executed promptly is important to the health of the Lagoon, it is requested the County Manager have authority to execute engineering task orders up to $250,000 for work required to complete the Eau Gallie Northeast Muck Removal Project.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
Please execute 2 copies of each grant contract. One for the Clerk of Courts and one for Natural Resources Management Department