SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
City Vulnerability Assessment Presentation. (WSO)
Body
SUMMARY:
The City of Clearwater has been working on a citywide Vulnerability Assessment (24-0020-EN), to better understand how climate factors will impact the city in the near and distant future. Successful completion of this vulnerability assessment is a requirement to apply for several grants that could help offset capital costs on a number of planned projects. This assessment, which started in fall of 2022, is funded by the State of Florida’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection’s Resilient Florida Fiscal Year 21-22 Planning Grant. The Consultant, AtkinsRéalis was selected from our EOR Roster based off Request for Qualifications (RFQ) 26-19, Engineer of Record Consulting Services which was approved by Council on 06.20.2019. The consultant has created a “digital twin” of Clearwater using AtkinsRéalis’s City Simulator tool to test vital community elements, including the natural, built and social environments, against several projected climate impacts, with the greatest priority being given to analyzing the impacts of sea level rise, flooding and heat.
The purpose of the presentation is to share findings from the Vulnerability Assessment and present potential adaptation/mitigation actions for the City to consider. The presentation will also inform the public of the results and the future risk of sea level rise and increased flooding and encourage community participation when identifying mitigation strategies to address the flooding vulnerabilities. This report includes analysis requested by city staff to help inform future focus areas items such as reducing infrastructure flooding and assisting with prioritizing urban forestry planting efforts.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
High Performing Government
1.2 Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts.
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.
Community Well-Being
3.4 Inspire citizen participation through civic engagement and volunteerism to build strong, inclusive, and engaged communities.
Environmental Stewardship
4.1 Support proactive climate resiliency strategies based in science to protect natural and built environments from impacts associated with sea level rise.
