SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Accept a 2025/26 Florida Highway Beautification Council Grant (FHBCG) for the beautification of medians on Missouri Avenue from Bayview Drive to Court Street in the amount of $435,772 between the Florida Department of Transportation District Seven and the City of Clearwater associated with Project 2 - SR 595 and SR 651, established by Capital Improvement Project, Missouri Avenue Median Beautification (G2507), authorize the appropriate officials to execute same, and adopt Resolution 25-09.
Body
SUMMARY:
On August 14, 2024, the City’s Parks & Recreation Department submitted 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.
The Parks & Recreation Department recommended acceptance of these funds pending the final MOA from FDOT which came back to the Council for final approval on March 6, 2025. Council approved the acceptance of the grant award at that time and a Resolution to the same is required.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
A first quarter budget amendment established capital improvement project G2507, Missouri Ave Medians with a total budget of $550,000 ($435,772.00 in grant revenue and $114,228.00 in General Fund revenues) to account for revenues and expenditures related to this grant agreement.
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.
