TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve the Grant Application to the Recreational Trails Program in the Amount of $450,000 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 grant application to the Recreational Trails Program in the amount of $450,000 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
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal grant initiative funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered at the state level by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) in coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The purpose of the RTP is to provide financial assistance for the development and maintenance of recreational trails, trailheads, and trailside facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized recreational trail uses.
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 Saturday, March 1, 2025. Notification of award is expected in Summer 2025.
Should the grant be awarded to the City, the Interim City Attorney will review the grant contract to ensure it is legally correct as to form.
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 to be $4,438,500 for the design and construction of the path and trailhead. Potential award from the grant is $450,000. Matching funds in the amount of $708,500 will be provided by City Park Impact fees and a Surtax allocation. The account numbers for this project are 152-3040-572-31-05 and 306-3040-572-63-00. 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. If awarded, this grant will not be contracted if there are insufficient funds to complete the project.
Procurement
City of North Port, Florida, Procurement Code, policies and procedures will be followed when the purchase is made.
Attachments:
1. RTP Grant Application
2. RTP Grant Exhibits
Prepared by: Michael J. Davey, PhD, Grants Coordinator
Department Director: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager