SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Standard Grant Agreement in the amount of $3,000,000 between the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the City of Clearwater for the design and construction of four living seawalls and associated shoreline elevation improvements pursuant to the Clearwater Living Seawall Project (25-0045-EN), providing State funding with no required match, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same.
Body
SUMMARY:
The Clearwater Living Seawall Project is part of the City’s broader coastal resilience strategy focused on strengthening shoreline infrastructure, enhancing habitat value, and reducing tidal flooding risks along Clearwater’s waterfront.
The State of Florida Legislature appropriated $3,000,000 to the City of Clearwater for the design and construction of approximately four living seawalls across several locations within the City, including elevating existing seawalls to mitigate wave energy and seawall overtopping events. FDEP has issued Standard Grant Agreement L0167, which provides up to $3,000,000 in State reimbursement with no required local match.
The Agreement term begins July 1, 2025, and expires June 30, 2028, allowing adequate time for design, permitting, bidding, and construction. The scope includes design and construction of living seawall segments and elevation of existing seawalls. No equipment purchases or land acquisition activities are authorized under the Agreement. $300,000 of the award is earmarked as reimbursable for preconstruction activities (design) and $2,700,000 reimbursable for construction costs under the agreement.
The City’s Living Seawall initiative supports Clearwater’s goals of improving coastal resilience, enhancing water quality, supporting marine habitat, and providing shoreline protection that is compatible with recreational and aesthetic uses.
Quarterly progress reporting to FDEP is required throughout the term of the Agreement. The Agreement includes a provision requiring the City to indemnify FDEP; however, nothing in the Agreement constitutes a waiver of the City’s sovereign immunity.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Grant funds will be budgeted in and reimbursed to capital project ENGF180006, Citywide Docks & Seawalls.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
1.2 Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historical 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. 1.4 Foster safe and healthy communities in Clearwater through first-class public safety and emergency response services. 1.5 Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers. 2.2 Cultivate a business climate that welcomes entrepreneurship, inspires local investment, supports Eco-friendly enterprises, and encourages high-quality job growth. 2.3 Promote Clearwater as a premier destination for entertainment, cultural experiences, tourism, and national sporting events. 2.5 Facilitate partnerships with educational and research institutions to strengthen workforce development opportunities. 3.2 Preserve community livability through responsible development standards, proactive code compliance, and targeted revitalization. 3.3 Promote marketing and outreach strategies that encourage stakeholder engagement, enhance community education and build public trust. 3.4 Inspire citizen participation through civic engagement and volunteerism to build strong, inclusive and engaged communities. 4.1 Support proactive climate resiliency strategies based in science to protect natural and built environments from impacts associated with sea level rise. 4.2 Adopt renewable resource usage and waste reduction practices to ensure a vibrant City for current and future generations.
