SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve the Standard Grant Agreement between the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the City of Clearwater for the design and construction of six stormwater pump stations and associated conveyance upgrades, Phase 1 of the North Beach Stormwater Improvements Project (24-0037-EN), in the amount of $3,000,000, providing State funding with no required match, and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The North Beach Stormwater Improvement Project is a multi-phase effort to improve performance of stormwater infrastructure, reduce tidal flooding, and reduce disruption events in the North Beach neighborhood of Clearwater. The State of Florida Legislature appropriated $3,000,000 to the City of Clearwater to cover a portion of the cost for design and construction of approximately six stormwater pump stations and associated conveyance improvements in North Beach.
The appropriations will be dispersed to the City through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) via a Standard Grant Agreement L0168, which provides State reimbursement up to $3,000,000 for eligible project costs. No local match is required under this agreement.
The Agreement term begins July 1, 2025, and expires April 30, 2029, allowing for design, permitting, bidding, and phased construction activities. $500,000 of the award is earmarked as reimbursable for preconstruction activities and $2,500,000 reimbursable for construction costs under the agreement.
In June of 2024, RFQ 50-24 was issued seeking an engineering firm to design a stormwater management system for the North Beach community. The RFQ selection committee, consisting of five representatives from the Public Works Department, reviewed three submitted qualifications. The committee selected Chen Moore and Associates to provide professional engineering services based on the team’s relevant experience designing and permitting projects of similar complexity in low-lying coastal communities.
On July 10, 2025, Council approved the initial Work Order to Chen Moore and Associates in the amount of $891,127.05 to design and permit the first phase of permanent pump stations as well as further study the remaining drainage basins. Services include design, permitting, plans production, bidding assistance and post-design services as well as development of an initial funding strategy for this phase and future works pursuant of RFQ 50-24 and services needed to comply with grants. Project improvements funded by this Agreement will advance Clearwater’s long-term coastal resilience strategy, mitigate repetitive loss flooding conditions, reduce disruption events due to flooding in the North Beach neighborhood and provide water quality treatment to waters discharging into Clearwater Harbor and the neighboring waters surrounding Caladesi Island.
On October 10, 2025, RFP 03-26 was issued seeking a Construction Manager at Risk for the North Beach Stormwater Improvement Project. The RFQ selection committee, consisting of five representatives from the Public Works Department, reviewed four submitted qualifications and on December 1, 2025, issued the Intent to Award to Kiewit Corporation. Negotiations with Kiewit are underway and the City anticipates initiating Phase 1’s construction activities in the coming months with construction activities completed prior to the Agreement expiration date. Public Works will bring the Kiewit contract and Pump Station GMP to Council for approval by mid-year 2026.
Quarterly reports will be provided to FDPE throughout the term of the agreement. The agreement includes a provision that the City indemnify the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Nothing in the agreement is deemed a waiver of the doctrine of sovereign immunity.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
ENST240001-DSGN-PROSVC Funds are available in capital improvement project ENST240001, North Beach Pump Station, to fund this contract.
This is funded by Stormwater Revenue.
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. 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. 3.3 Promote marketing and outreach strategies that encourage stakeholder engagement, enhance community education and build public trust. 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.
