Skip to main content
File #: 25-2567    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Consent Agenda Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 8/4/2025 In control: City Commission Regular Meeting
On agenda: 9/9/2025 Final action: 9/9/2025
Title: Approve the Application to the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Fire Station 83 Hardening in the Estimated Amount of $1.1 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.
Attachments: 1. HMGP Fire Station 83 Hardening Application and Attachments

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 Fire Station 83 Hardening in the Estimated Amount of $1.1 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 agenda item as written, allowing for the project, if partially funded by the grant, to proceed on schedule.

 

City Commission Options

 

Option 1: Approve the agenda item as written, allowing for the project, if partially funded by the grant, to proceed on schedule.

                     Pros: Provides grant funds covering approximately 75% of the cost of hardening Fire Station 83 to withstand 170 mph winds, ensuring that it can function fully during a hazardous storm emergency.

                     Cons: Requires a 25% match.

 

Option 2: Deny the agenda item as written.

                     Pros: Saves the City the cost of the match.

                     Cons: Would require the City to fully fund the hardening or abandon the project, thereby leaving the station vulnerable to storm events and risking the safety of citizens.

 

Background Information

 

Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) manages the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (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.

 

Fire Station 83 serves an estimated 15,000 citizens in the City and is a critical City facility.  It was built to withstand 130-156 mph winds.  This level of resiliency proved insufficient during Hurricane Ian, when the structure received substantial damage, thus hazarding personnel and hampering the City’s emergency response capability.

 

The proposed project will provide protection from high winds and associated debris up to 170 mph. Protecting the building envelope will prevent damage to the structure, its contents, and prevent displacement and loss-of-productivity costs.  The application is for replacement of the roof system and other related modifications including doors and windows in order to bring the structure up to current Florida Building Code.

 

 

 

Strategic Plan Pillar

 

Infrastructure and Facilities

Safe Community

 

Financial Impact

 

The potential award of $1.1 million from FDEM. The grant will also cover grant management costs estimated at $75,000. The City is responsible for a 25% match estimated at $374,850. If the grant is awarded, $187,500 in matching funds will come from 001-0760-519.62-00 and the remaining $187,500 will come from 323-2222-522.62-00.  The CIP Project number is FM2683, Fire Station 83 Roof Replacement and Hardening.

 

Procurement

 

If awarded, procurement code, policies and procedures will be followed when the purchases are made.

 

Attachments:

1.                     HMGP Fire Station 83 Hardening Application and Attachments

 

Prepared by:                                            Michael J. Davey, PhD, Grants Coordinator

 

Department Director:                       A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager