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 Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Fixed Weir 120 Replacement in the Estimated Amount of $2.9 Million 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 of North Port.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve the Application to the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Fixed Weir 120 Replacement in the estimated amount of $2.9 Million 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 of North Port, allowing for the project, if partially funded by the Grant, to proceed on schedule.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve the Application to the FDEM HMGP for Fixed Weir 120 Replacement in the estimated amount of $2.9 Million 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 of North Port, allowing for the project, if partially funded by the Grant, to proceed on schedule.
• Pros: Provides grant funds for approximately 75% of the cost of replacing Fixed Weir 120 with a gated water control structure, a new, upgraded water control mechanism that is more effective at managing stormwater during a hazardous storm.
• Cons: The grant requires a 25% match.
Option 2: Deny the Application to the FDEM HMGP for Fixed Weir 120 Replacement in the estimated amount of $2.9 Million 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 of North Port, allowing for the project, if partially funded by the Grant, to proceed on schedule.
• Pros: Saves the City the cost of the match.
• Cons: Would require the City to fully fund replacing the current Fixed Weir or abandon the project, thereby leaving the city more vulnerable to storm events, thereby risking the safety of citizens.
Background Information
The FDEM manages the FEMA HMGP for the State of Florida. The Grant provides funding for eligible mitigation measures that reduce future disaster losses. Hazard mitigation means any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Fixed Weir 120 is at the juncture of the Snover and Blueridge Waterways. If awarded, grant funds would be used to convert Fixed Weir 120 to a gated water control structure. Replacing a fixed weir with a gated water control structure significantly enhances stormwater management and flood protection. Unlike fixed weirs, which allow only passive flow, water control structures can be actively adjusted to manage varying water levels and storm intensities. During heavy rainfall or tropical storms, gates or valves can be opened to release excess water in a controlled manner, reducing the risk of canal overtopping and neighborhood flooding. If the existing structure remains in place, due to its age and design, it has the potential to lead to flooding that would otherwise be preventable.
Fixed Weir 120 is at the juncture of the Snover and Blueridge Waterways. This structure helps to mitigate stormwater runoff in an area south of Snover Waterway, north of Cocoplum Waterway, between Sumter Boulevard and Salford Boulevard. The area of mitigation includes the section of Price Boulevard over the Blueridge Waterway which flooded and closed for 60 days following Hurricane Ian.
This is a reimbursable Grant. If awarded, the Interim City Attorney will review the Contract to ensure that it is legally correct as to form.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure and Facilities
Financial Impact
The estimated potential award of $2.9 million from FDEM. The award will also cover grant management costs of up to an additional estimated $193,009. The City is responsible for a 25% match estimated at $965,048.00. If awarded, matching funds will come from Road and Drainage 107 funds in fiscal year 2027, and Public Works will allocate the match.
Procurement
If awarded, the City’s Procurement Code, policies and procedures will be followed when the purchases are made.
Attachments:
1. HMGP Fixed Weir 120 Replacement Application and Attachments
Prepared by: Michael J. Davey, PhD, Grants Coordinator
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager