Title
Watershed Planning Initiative Grant for the Hogtown Creek Watershed Master Plan (B)
Explanation
This item is a request for the City Commission to approve the submission and acceptance of a grant, if awarded, by the Florida Department of Emergency Management - under the Watershed Planning Initiative.
The Florida Department of Emergency Management has announced a competitive grant program to provide funding assistance to Florida communities that are interested in developing Watershed Master Plans. The purpose of the grant program is to improve local government Community Rating System scores. The Community Rating System score establishes the Flood Insurance discount rate available to property owners within the jurisdiction. An adopted Watershed Master Plan for Hogtown Creek will strengthen Gainesville’s Community Rating System score.
The Hogtown Creek Watershed Master Plan will include flood modeling and evaluations of the response to design storms under current and predicted future flood conditions and an assessment of the influence of climate change. The Master Plan will include a description of vulnerable areas and a list of potential solutions.
Strategic Connection
Goal 2: Sustainable Community - a normal priority item.
Fiscal Note
The grant request for the Hogtown Creek Watershed Master Plan is $250,000. A 25% local match of $62,500 is required. The source of funding is the Stormwater Management Utility Surcharge fund.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager, or designee, to apply for a Watershed Planning Initiate Grant with the Florida Department of Emergency Management for Hogtown Creek and execute a grant agreement and related documents, if awarded, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.