TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Approval of Southwest Florida Water Management District FY 2021 Cooperative Funding Application.
Recommended Action
Approve project application submission for the Southwest Florida Water Management District FY 2021 Cooperative Funding Initiative and acceptance, if applicable, of grant funding for the below projects.
Background Information
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) annually provides cooperative funding initiatives for projects that create sustainable water resources, provide flood protection and enhance conservation efforts. Applications for this funding are submitted for review and approval by the SWFWMD Governing Board. Subsequent to the review and approval of this funding, Cooperative Funding Agreements are executed by SWFWMD and the City. The deadline for application submissions for FY 20/21 Cooperative Funding Initiatives is October 4, 2019.
This year's project applications and recommended ranking are as follows:
1. North Port Water Distribution System Looping
• To reduce flushing due to water quality, the City is seeking funding from SWFWMD to loop or extend water to certain streets that have been identified as high flushing areas. This project is to promote water conservation while addressing water quality. The City’s FY20/21 request for SWFWMD 50% funding of the looping project is for $ 207,500. The benefit of this project is to loop certain area streets that have been identified as high flushing areas and to reduce water quality issues in the system.
2. Direct Potable Reuse Feasibility Study
• The City is seeking funding from SWFWMD to investigate the feasibility of using reclaimed water as a source water within the City as well as the treatment technologies that may be required to make this water potable. The City’s FY 20/21 request for SWFWMD 50% funding of the feasibility study is $125,000. The benefit of this project is identifying a potential alternate source for potable water which could offset current groundwater withdrawals.
Once Commission approves the projects, the applications will be electronically transmitted for submission to SWFWMD.
Strategic Plan
Continue the looping of water lines to enhance water flow and quality;
Promote sustainable growth and development, while maintaining or enhancing quality of life in our City; and,
Develop and promote City governance that fosters trust and utilizes departmental strengths and innovative philosophies to facilitate effective and efficient provision of all City services.
Financial Impact
If approved for cooperative funding, SWFWMD may pay up to $332,500, reducing the City's expense to $332,500.
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Funding and Ranking Letter for City Manager Signature
2. Draft Cooperative Funding Initiative Application - Water Distribution System Looping
3. Draft Cooperative Funding Initiative Application - Direct Potable Reuse Feasibility Study
Prepared by: Nicole Brown, Business Services Coordinator
Department Director: Rick Newkirk, Utilities Director