SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with Pinellas County for Penny IV Assistance toward the Gulf Boulevard Improvement Plan, reimbursing up to $147,388.81 for eligible work through March 31, 2027, and authorize officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
September 17, 2020, Council approved an extension to the original ILA to include Penny IV funds for the Gulf Boulevard Improvement Plan between Pinellas County and the BIG C beach communities, including Clearwater. The Improvement Plan scope from 2001 encompassed a beautification plan for the Gulf Boulevard corridor, providing a link between the eleven beach communities in the county. The Plan includes undergrounding of utilities, landscaping, mast arms, right-of-way improvements, and amenities.
Penny III funds were previously dispersed, Clearwater received $6.7 million. The first extension included reimbursement of up to $35 million from Penny IV surtax proceeds to the BIG C Cities over the next five years (from July 1, 2021, to September 30, 2026) for eligible projects commencing after January 1, 2020, as well as completion of work under the previous expired agreement. The beach cities were individually allocated from $500,000 up to $7.98 million. Clearwater was allocated $750,000 for a new total of $7.45 million.
Eligible projects must be in the Improvement Plan limits. For Clearwater, the limits encompass Gulf Blvd., South Gulf Gulfview Blvd., Coronado Dr., and Causeway Blvd. Clearwater’s projects for the Penny IV reimbursement included the replacement of the Mandalay Channel Pedestrian Underpass Bridge (17-0051-EN), for which the city received $602,611.19, fully reimbursing the total construction cost. The remaining $147,388.81 in available funds is allocated toward crosswalk improvements, including added lighting to numerous crosswalks on Gulf Blvd. in Sand Key.
This new Agreement extends the reimbursement date to March 31, 2027, enabling Clearwater to complete eligible projects and request full reimbursement of the remaining $147,388.81, for a total of $750,000, in Penny IV funds allocated to Clearwater in 2020.
July 16, 2026, Council approved a $107,895 PO in support of these proposed crosswalk improvements. The remaining $39,494 in improvements will be completed by city staff and other contractors to maximize the reimbursement. Approval of this agreement will allow additional time for staff to complete this work and the reimbursement process.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Remaining county funds will be credited to capital project M2611, Traffic Safety, Intersections & Signals to reimburse expenditures.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
Objective 1.2 Maintain public infrastructure, mobility systems, natural lands, environmental resources, and historic features through systematic management efforts. Objective 1.5 Embrace a culture of innovation that drives continuous improvement and successfully serves all our customers.
