SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Accept the Highway Landscape Reimbursement Memorandum of Agreement (HLRMOA) Fiscal Year 2025 Program funds for the renovations and improvements to landscaping within the Missouri Avenue right-of-way (ROW) between Bayview Drive and Court Street, in the amount of $435,772.00 between the Florida Department of Transportation District Seven and the City of Clearwater and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
On August 14, 2024, the City’s Parks & Recreation Department submitted a Beautification Grant Application Package to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Seven for the purposes of securing funding for the renovations and improvements to landscaping within the Missouri Avenue right-of-way (ROW) between Bayview Drive and Court Street.
On January 24, 2025, the City received formal approval notice the FDOT District Seven granting an HLRMOA FY2025 Program Grant of $435,772.00.
Missouri Avenue is a state-owned ROW and is one of the primary entryways into the city and a significant north-south corridor leading to and through the city. The City currently maintains landscaping within the medians of the ROW according to an approved Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) from FDOT.
The grant funding of $435,772.00 will cover costs associated with, plants, soils, installation, labor, soil amendments, staking, and maintenance of traffic (MOT). City funding of $114,228.00 will cover the cost for plan design, irrigation system repairs, and establishment of the plants. Total cost for the project will be $550,000.00. Parks employs contractors for maintenance of these medians, there is no change to future operating costs resulting from this beautification project.
The Parks & Recreation Department is recommending acceptance of these funds pending the final MOA from FDOT which will come back to the Council for final approval at a later date.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment will establish capital improvement project G2507, Missouri Ave Medians, and record a budget increase of $435,772 in grant revenue and a transfer of $114,228 of General Fund revenues from Parks and Recreation in salary savings recognized in the current fiscal year (FY25).
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Approval of the purchase order supports several Strategic Plan Objectives, including:
• 1.2: Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
• 1.3: Adopt responsive levels of service for public facilities and amenities, and identify resources required to sustain that level of service.
• 2.3: Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events.
• 3.1: Support neighborhood identity through services and programs that empower community pride and belonging.
• 3.2: Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization.
• 4.3: Protect the conservation of urban forests and public green spaces to promote biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint.
