TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Application to the SUN Trail Grant Program in the Amount of $3,730,000 for the Warm Mineral Springs Connector and Authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as Applicable Under the City Charter, to Execute all Funding Documents After Legal Review, Should the Grant be Awarded to the City.
Recommended Action
Approve the application to the SUN Trail Grant Program in the amount of $3,730,000 for the Warm Mineral Springs Connector and authorize the City Manager or the Mayor, as applicable under the City Charter, to execute all funding documents after Legal Review, should the grant be awarded to the City.
Background Information
SUN Trail legislation allows for the programming of funds for all phases of project development including preliminary planning/feasibility studies, project development and environmental planning studies (PD&E); preliminary engineering (PE/design); acquisition of real property/land/right-of-way (ROW); new construction, reconstruction or resurfacing of trail surfaces or bridges and maintenance (e.g., obligations for pavement, drainage, land stabilization and safety controls), and construction engineering inspections (CEI).
Currently, the Legacy Trail portion of the SUN Trail network connects to the City of North Port via the North Port Connector, which terminates at Price Trailhead. The proposed project will extend the network from Price Trailhead, approximately 1.7 miles South and then West, to Warm Mineral Springs Park. This new "Warm Mineral Springs Connector" will consist of a 12-foot-wide paved surface suitable to a variety of uses, from bicycles and scooters to wheelchairs and strollers. There will be amenities constructed at Warm Mineral Springs Park for users of the path to include bathrooms, drinking fountains, parking, and other elements typical of such trailheads. Finally, the construction and design will be coordinated with any work planned for the Springs complex itself.
This is a reimbursable grant, meaning the City will spend first and then request reimbursement from the granting agency. The grant application deadline was Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Notification of award is expected in Summer 2025.
If awarded, contracts will be reviewed for form and correctness by the City Attorney.
Strategic Plan
Quality of Life
Infrastructure and Facilities Integrity
Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability
Economic Development and Growth Management
Financial Impact
The total project cost is estimated at $4,438,500 for the design and construction of the path and trailhead. Potential award from the grant is $3,730,000. Matching funds in the amount of $708,500 will be provided by City Park Impact fees and private donations. The account number for this project is 152-3040-572-31-05. A budget amendment for the Park Impact Fees is currently scheduled for first reading on January 14, 2025, and the second reading is January 28, 2025. The project is P24LTC. Maintenance costs for the path and trailhead will be made a regular part of the Parks and Recreation Department annual budget.
Procurement
Procurement code, policies and procedures will be followed when the purchase is made.
Attachments:
1. SUN Trail Grant Application
2. SUN Trail Application Attachments
Prepared by: Michael J. Davey, PhD, Grants Coordinator
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager