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Agenda Item: 15(c) |
Prepared By: Justin Martin, P.E., Director, Public Works |
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Business: City Council Item |
Department: Public Works |
Subject:
Title
Authorize the City Manager to Direct City Staff and the City’s Consultant to Coordinate with Collier County Regarding Funding and Planning for the Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Ecosystem Five-Year Maintenance Cycle Restoration, as Approved by the Hideaway Beach Tax District Board on October 22, 2026
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BACKGROUND:
The Sand Dollar sand spit serves as a nature-based coastal defense, helping protect this area of Marco Island from storm impacts and coastal erosion. Since the project’s completion in 2023, the project area has been affected by four major storms. Post-storm monitoring and maintenance activities have included repurposing sand from within the lagoon and surrounding coastal system to address overwash areas and maintain the integrity of the sand spit berm and the lagoon’s flow channel. Funding for monitoring and interim post-storm restoration and maintenance has been provided by the Hideaway Beach Tax District and Collier County Tourist Development Tax revenues.
In addition to interim post-storm maintenance, the comprehensive five-year maintenance cycle restoration includes dredging approximately 240,000 cubic yards of sand from the offshore borrow area at the ebb shoal of Capri/Big Marco Pass. FEMA is providing partial funding for approximately 84,000 cubic yards of this volume to address damages attributed to Hurricanes in 2024. Additional funding will be needed to complete the proposed restoration.
The restoration is anticipated to be completed between November 1, 2027, and February 15, 2028, to avoid shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons.
At its October 22, 2026, meeting, the Hideaway Beach Tax District Board approved requesting the City’s assistance in coordinating with Collier County to establish a cost-sharing arrangement for the remaining project costs not covered by FEMA funding.
The requested authorization would allow City staff and the City’s consultant to coordinate with Collier County representatives regarding project planning, budgeting, and potential cost sharing to support completion of the restoration.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT:
The Hideaway Beach Tax District anticipates making the necessary funds available in its FY 2028 budget. Project funding is anticipated to include contributions from the Hideaway Beach Tax District, partial reimbursement from FEMA, and potential cost-sharing assistance from Collier County. Any cost-sharing arrangement with Collier County would be subject to further coordination and City Council approval, as applicable.
No City of Marco Island general property tax revenues outside of the Hideaway Beach Tax District are being requested or would be allocated for this purpose.
RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize the City Manager to direct City staff and the City’s consultant to coordinate with Collier County representatives regarding planning, budgeting, and a potential cost-sharing agreement to supplement FEMA funding for the proposed five-year maintenance cycle restoration of the Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Ecosystem.
POTENTIAL MOTION:
“I move to authorize the City Manager to direct City staff and the City’s consultant to coordinate with Collier County representatives regarding planning, budgeting, and a potential cost-sharing agreement to supplement FEMA funding for the proposed five-year maintenance cycle restoration of the Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Ecosystem.”