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Agenda Item: 15(c) |
Prepared By: Joseph Belardo, Interim Chief, Police |
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Business: City Council Item |
Department: Police |
Subject:
Title
Authorizing City Manager to Request Withdrawal From the MIPD Dock Construction Project, Including Withdrawal From EPA Grant Application - Joseph Belardo, Interim Chief, Police
Body
BACKGROUND:
The MIPD began the process to apply for a grant from the EPA back in April of 2022. Many delays have impacted the grant, including a NEPA Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, Approval of Guidelines to Avoid Impacts to West Indian Manatee, multiple government shutdowns and policy changes at the executive level adding to delays at the EPA. This grant has not been awarded yet. The original project budget was $65,000.00 local match funding and $260,000.00 grant funds if awarded by the EPA. The project has become cost sunk in that construction costs have grown since the grant money was earmarked at $260,000.00. This amount cannot be increased to account for more expensive construction costs that have increased over several years’ time. This project’s original budget is $325,000.00. A 21’ Carolina Skiff with trailer and equipment has been purchased with local match funds for $49,573.00. If operating from the original project budget, this leaves $275,427.00 for dock construction. The project was put out to bid, and only one contractor bid under budget. The lowest responsive and responsible bidder went through ownership changes. 180 days have gone by, and they have become unresponsive and will not sign the needed documents. The 2nd lowest estimate to construct the dock is $327,546.69. This places the project over the budgeted cost. This project is an extension of a dock being built by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Part of the awarded Grant requirements would include water quality testing in conjunction with data on Notices of Violation for Illicit Discharge. In the absence of this dock, the Code Boat will still be utilized for canal patrols to educate and issue Notices of Violation as necessary for all violations, especially those impacting water quality. The boat will be trailered and deployed from Caxambas (at no cost for storage there). The interlocal agreement allows ten days to indicate if the City wishes to withdraw from the project due to the construction costs exceeding what the City reasonably expects.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT: N / A
Local Funding: $65,000
Grant Applied for, not yet awarded: $260,000
RECOMMENDATION: Cancel Dock
Withdraw from the MIPD Dock Project, Notify Collier County of our choice to withdraw, in lieu of agreeing to pay $327,546.69. Inform EPA to delete the unawarded grant application.
POTENTIAL MOTION:
“I am motioning to withdraw from the MIPD Dock Construction Project.”
• Upon any such withdrawal, the City understands and agrees that it forfeits its right to construct the MIPD Dock, all other terms and conditions in the Interlocal Agreement shall remain in effect. Due to the existing Interlocal Agreement, even with the withdrawal from the project (MIPD Dock) the Interlocal Agreement should not be terminated in that it provides the County with other rights (use of City property) related to the County Dock. Since these terms are contained in the Agreement, Council does not have to take any formal action, unless the City desires to otherwise modify this Interlocal Agreement.