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Agenda Item: 12(b) |
Prepared By: Casey Lucius, Ph.D., Assistant City Manager |
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Business: City Council Item |
Department: Executive |
Subject:
Title
Update on City Project Proposals for TDC Grant Funding - Casey Lucius, Ph.D., Assistant City Manager
Body
BACKGROUND:
Following direction from Council during the FY24 budget workshops, the City Manager’s Office contacted Sandra Rios at the County’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) in November 2023 to introduce three potential projects for TDC funding: pickleball phase 2, turf, and beautification of the beach access points.
In December 2023, the City Manager and Assistant City Manager met with the County Manager and Deputy County Manager to introduce the projects. We were told that a feasibility study is required for TDC funding requests.
In January 2024, Sandra Rios asked the County attorney to review our projects and provide guidance on next steps. It was recommended by the County attorney that the City take the following steps:
1) submit TDC grant applications for each project;
2) applications are reviewed by the TDC and BCC to determine if a feasibility study is
warranted. If approved, the feasibility study would be funded with TDT funds;
3) the feasibility study would determine if the projects would bring in sufficient tourism to
warrant grant funding. This process aligns with FL State Statute 125.0104(5)a6 regarding how TDT funds may be used. If approved no more than 70% of the funds for the project can be TDT funds;
4) final grant funding placed on the TDC and BCC agendas for approval.
Attached is a memo with the full background to date and the correspondence from the Assistant County Attorney outlining the requirements of FL State Statute.
In February 2024, we began the grant application process. Grants are accepted between January and March. If the feasibility study is approved and bears a positive result, potential grant funding may be appropriated during the next fiscal year, FY25. The grant funds are reimbursed at the completion of the project and after providing specific financial reports and reimbursement forms.
The grant proposals for each project are also attached and will be sent to County staff following approval from City Council.
FUNDING SOURCE / FISCAL IMPACT:
Beach Access Improvements: 30% of the project = $121,500
Turf at Mackle Park: 30% of the project = $337,950
Pickleball Conversion Phase 2: 30% of the project = $1,197,799
Total cost for the City (over FY25 and FY26) = $1,657,249
If City Council directs staff to move forward with the grant applications, a request for $459,450 will be proposed in the FY25 budget to support the beach access improvements and the tuft project. A request for $1,197,799 would be proposed in the FY26 budget pending approved funding from the TDC for the pickleball phase 2 project.
RECOMMENDATION: Direct staff to submit all three grant applications to Collier County staff to pursue the feasibility study.
POTENTIAL MOTION: I move that we direct staff to submit all three grant applications to Collier County.