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County Administrator's Report 10. 16.
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| BCC Regular Meeting |
Budget & Finance Consent |
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
Recommendation Concerning a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Artificial Reef Construction Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2014-2015 - Keith Wilkins, Community & Environment Department Director
That the Board take the following action concerning a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Artificial Reef Construction Grant Application for Fiscal Year 2014-2015:
A. Approve applying to the FWC for an Artificial Reef Construction Grant requesting up to $100,000, with a match not to exceed $35,000, for the construction of an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico;
B. Authorize the Office of Purchasing to solicit for firms to conduct environmental preparations, deployment preparations, and deployment and other services, as required, subject to funding by the Grant award and/or other sources; and
C. Authorize the County Administrator to sign the Grant Application and any subsequent documents relating to the Grant Application without further Board action.
[Funding: Fund 108, Tourist Promotion, Cost Center 220805 and/or Fund 352, LOST III, Cost Center 220102, NESD Capital Projects]
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| BACKGROUND: |
The Escambia County Marine Resources Division and Escambia County Marine Advisory Committee have been seeking to deploy additional vessels for artificial reefs since the reefing of the decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Oriskany in 2006. Funding sources for artificial reef construction are typically limited to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Grants-in-Aid, public donations into the Escambia County Aquatic Resources Stewardship Endowment Fund, Local Option Sales Tax, and Tourism Development Tax.
On September 4, 2014, several members of the public spoke in favor of acquiring the tugboat "Ocean Wind" for reefing. The discussion also included an upcoming grant opportunity through FWC. The Board's direction acknowledged that any funding for the project would need to be through grants and/or other sources.
The estimated cost for this project is $130,000 with up to $100,000 from FWC and up to $35,000 match from the County. Additional funding of at least $15,000 has been pledged by dive shops, divers, and other reef stakeholders. In the event that the tugboat "Ocean Wind" becomes unavailable for reefing, Escambia County Marine Resources Division will utilize alternative materials, including concrete, as approved by FWC.
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| BUDGETARY IMPACT: |
The estimated cost for this project is $130,000 with up to $100,000 from FWC and up to $35,000 match from the County. This match will come from Fund 108, Tourist Promotion, Cost Center 220805 and/or Fund 352, LOST III, Cost Center 220102, NESD Capital Projects.
Additional funds have been raised through a public stakeholder initiative. As of September 2014, approximately $15,000 has been pledged. These funds would be used for contingencies or supplemental reef materials.
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| LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF: |
| N/A |
| PERSONNEL: |
| N/A |
| POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION: |
| Board policy requires approval of grant applications that have a cash match component. |
| IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION: |
| The Community & Environment Department, Marine Resources Division, will submit the Grant Application to FWC. |
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