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County Administrator's Report 11. 5.

BCC Regular Meeting

Budget & Finance Consent

Meeting Date:	06/20/2019
Issue: Grant Applications for the FWC Derelict Vessel Final Removal Grant Funding Opportunity Program
From:	Chips Kirschenfeld
Department:	Natural Resources
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning Grant Applications for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Derelict Vessel Final Removal Funding Opportunity Program - J. Taylor "Chips" Kirschenfeld, Director, Department of Natural Resources Management

That the Board approve and authorize the Director for the Department of Natural Resources Management to sign Grant Applications relating to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Derelict Vessel Final Removal Funding Opportunity Program, with local matching funds from Vessel Registration Fees, up to $10,000.

[Funding: Escambia County's cash match will be provided from Fund 110, Other Grants and Projects; Cost Center 220807, Vessel Registration Fees]

BACKGROUND:

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) administers the Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Program, which requires local cash matching funds of at least 25%. Because the FWC Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Program is offered for limited periods throughout the year, based primarily on state funding allocations, and because the formal process for legally declaring vessels as “Derelict” is limited to law enforcement agencies, the timely development of applications (following procurement guidelines) for the 75% State matching funds does not always permit Board approval of each derelict vessel case by the submittal deadline.

Escambia County's Department of Natural Resources Management, Marine Resources Division, tracks derelict vessel cases and FWC Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Program, obtains price quotes, and develops FWC Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Program Applications for the County Administrator's signature.

This Recommendation allows timely signature of FWC Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Program Applications, thereby maximizing leveraging local funds to acquire state funds for the removal of derelict vessels. If FWC Derelict Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Program grants are approved by FWC, the Grant Agreements are reviewed by the County Attorney’s Office prior to presentation to the Board for final approval.

*** The process can be improved further by authorizing the Chairman to sign Grant Agreements without further action by the Board.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Escambia County's cash match will be provided from Fund 110, Other Grants and Projects; Cost Center 220807, Vessel Registration Fees.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

No Legal consideration required at this time.

PERSONNEL:

No personnel impact associated with this recommendation.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

Board Policy II.A.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Marine Resources Divsion, under the Department of Natural Resources Management, will develop the Grant Application(s) for submittal.

Attachments
FWC Derelict Vessel Application Template