[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6211690,"mediaKeyId","3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6","parentId",3690536,"title","St. Pete Beach flags $30.1 million Don CeSar resiliency adaptation in stormwater plan","audioSeconds",106,"startMs",2950000,"endMs",3056000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6&start=2950&end=3056","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6/thumbnail_2950000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211690/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-flags-301-million-Don-CeSar-resiliency-adaptation-in-stormwater-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211690-a6d029bfb797e26aa6f5e26fc4c814b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153197&Signature=WHTW9~t1wA6fq8OmkiCqyyooTpqyJydpUabcFQo7UmoQTL0Ig0RcXkZrHlN51yFcajFaYzkN3KS4UFKjDCSyLCbyhgYCM22BTQQcWZE65gcVHbkCcOwnIZuQIJAYcbQxS9ulkINveZgCc5f00BvvoIyBxDuNrQML3scv0PoEqJesAYmSf5MzXjuFZfykMNGuyeRcJNBo6E9qJWFe0mPAWVkZIT4bl8-zqGWJRGDozIq3OP9~Kl7mMxwcGt~O4SEa1XRqgMujs9~GDBDoeO8WTFgtIBSv~FwmXTvb1VSSpj8Xu-y3VBiwgrhZTqOglOgzwZ3EFi4UlK9bLqSCoAhrBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of St. Pete Beach, FL","date","2025-06-05T07:33:37Z","article","City staff presented stormwater projects in the capital improvement plan and flagged a $30,100,000 resiliency-adaptation project for the Don CeSar/Boca Ciega area as a number-one priority in the stormwater fund.

Why it matters: The Don CeSar resiliency adaptation is a multi-decade, multi-million-dollar proposal to reduce flooding and improve long-term resilience for a neighborhood repeatedly affected by storm surge and recurring flooding events. The scale of the project exceeds the stormwater fund’s current capacity and will depend on outside grant and mitigation funding.

Devin Schmidt and staff reviewed ranked stormwater projects and emphasized that the Don CeSar adaptation would be financially challenging for the city to undertake alone. The committee heard the project is linked to a broader watershed-management master plan and that the city has prioritized pump/lift station and cleaning/inspection work in nearer-term budgets.

Staff told the committee the city is coordinating with county mitigation planning and other grant sources and that the $30.1 million figure is an early project estimate in the capital forecast. The committee did not approve funding; members asked for further analysis and noted matching, maintenance and permitting needs would be part of any grant application.

Next steps: Staff will continue watershed master planning and coordination with county and federal mitigation programs and will return with more detailed scope and funding options for committee and commission consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Finance & Budget Committee Budget Workshop #2 - June 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","In the stormwater portion of the capital plan staff listed a $30.1 million Don CeSar/Boca Ciega resiliency adaptation as a top-ranked project and presented a watershed master plan; staff said the project is financially challenging and will require outside funding and detailed planning.","taxTitle","St. Pete Beach, Pinellas County, Florida","taxId",48406,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211694,"Committee flags reclaimed-water maintenance gaps and fund shortfall; fee study to follow",481,2492000,2973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6&start=2492&end=2973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6/thumbnail_2492000.jpg","/articles/6211694/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-flags-reclaimed-water-maintenance-gaps-and-fund-shortfall-fee-study-to-follow","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211694-1f410b524cff06ba3f4727c51f1858a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153197&Signature=hgW7u9MNSuoaZ99c3enLbORQSQB4lLS-fLScLmDvudPXCLS4WjNy-0aQOOJ2sh-4i9sSvMQQTWsDMUzI0huBwOGCuCFstZB2NVAKIxSiME6YoWbd~KEhPGf48i6Fvjq9X0JrVf84tacTS9lEBMklmN-Z~pcqEpCKvmsJv4N85WOAympu3dpP8N7rKryJr3hRpbiqWBcBua8Py17PuE-IR4hg1dn4CEO~I8frjJ0FAZBsUF92vIXpVOxAce2hknf8RyI3Rw~OdO5VLF6nahghHfatJt4x-fHLuH-EOUFDXPaK~yplFdYFHoDxw091qgHmNm75j6ojLivtums8s0AkCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Devin Schmidt, finance director, told the committee the reclaimed-water enterprise fund shows an operating expense forecast that exceeds revenues absent general fund transfers. Schmidt presented options including an emergency bridge loan for operations while the city addresses capital needs.

Why it matters: Committee members and staff said the reclaimed-water fund has a structural shortfall that could require fee increases or transfers from other funds; the committee requested data to understand how many customers use reclaimed water and what a per-user shortfall would mean.

Staff described two recurring capital/maintenance needs: annual lateral pipe replacement and the installation of pig ports to enable internal cleaning. A committee member said the system has lost original pig ports “due to infrastructure changes, development, and lack of maintenance.” Staff said pig port installation allows maintenance that the system currently lacks.

Schmidt explained the city has been subsidizing the reclaimed-water fund with a general fund transfer and is pursuing an “emergency bridge loan that is specifically for operations only” to cover shortfalls while the fee study is completed. The fee study, which staff said is tracking toward a July timeline for a preliminary version, will present enterprise fee proposals, parking enterprise conversion, and development/impact fee recommendations.

Committee members asked for reclaimed-water connection statistics and per-user cost estimates. One member noted, “If we charge more for reclaimed water, I'm afraid that a lot of people reduce their water and the yards will not look nice,” signaling concern about equity and behavioral responses if fees rise.

Next steps: Staff will provide reclaimed-water connection statistics, projected per-user impacts, and fee-study timeline details at the next committee meeting and will outline bridge-loan parameters if staff can secure one for operations.","Committee discussion highlighted lost pig ports and lack of maintenance capacity in the reclaimed-water system, a forecast deficit that has relied on a general fund transfer, and a planned fee study that staff will use to propose enterprise-fund adjustments and possible bridge loan use for operations.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211699,"Committee weighs full reconstruction of Boca Ciega and Gulf Winds drives against borrowing and shorter repairs",614,1977000,2591000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6&start=1977&end=2591","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6/thumbnail_1977000.jpg","/articles/6211699/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/Committee-weighs-full-reconstruction-of-Boca-Ciega-and-Gulf-Winds-drives-against-borrowing-and-shorter-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211699-43124f1197d8b2d15fe6f2c255907381/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153197&Signature=P2uzYQZdqc7DNZUVi0ruY0lbjq1hZ7JGdZOv4kIInnJpwRBrfcb9ey205zAxGWglG831kLRv~n9Q16XZKyD6I0BK-UWSfHfuylq6aPqm4KCi-qkAnDFUdrDUv2E1HpsdxBEUPB8YYXapT87CyE5NYdF6pchflME9f5OZimfoYoZFHn4x4jqoo0fduLqfyHSxdaEe7m31RGdQN4D8JMKEh-qGWcWxB4TTgoLgdp27rQdxKPKwyUJwhl2ftjOdNyF1hr-FL6Ioy8Yn7~xWvq60nQn9CONremuMoYpBR-o3gW8oHJX7kk4UULUNtRTw4jCmXLwum7doINzGTOlWXj3wbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Pete Beach staff and Finance & Budget Committee members debated whether to fund full reconstruction of Boca Ciega Drive and Gulf Winds Drive now or delay major work and perform scaled repairs to avoid borrowing.

Devin Schmidt, the city finance director, presented the capital plan and explained the projects’ high cost is driven in part by extensive underground utility replacement included in the full-scope construction estimates.

Why it matters: Full reconstruction increases the capital deficit and could require debt. Committee members expressed concern about adding significant borrowing to the general fund while others argued failing to repair roads could create safety and visitor-impact problems.

Public services staff explained many of the high costs reflect paired utility work — replaced reclaimed water and sewer laterals, force mains and other utilities — that, if not done with the pavement project, would lead to repeated digs into new pavement. The director said the city could pare back scope (remove wider sidewalks or other enhancements) to reduce cost but cautioned underground utilities would remain a driver of future maintenance costs.

One committee member said, “I’m not sold on those two big line items,” and asked whether the city should accept a smaller surface improvement rather than entering a larger deficit. Staff replied that road repairs could be pushed out while the city waits for FEMA reimbursements and that the city had conservatively placed an $8 million line item in 2031 in the forecast.

Committee members directed staff to prepare comparative options for Boca Ciega and Gulf Winds — including grinding and milling or surface-only repairs versus full reconstruction — and to provide clearer cost breakdowns that separate the enterprise-fund (reclaimed water) portion of work from general fund pavement costs.

Next steps: Staff will return with cost-comparison options, including reduced-scope repairs, estimates for borrowing costs if the commission elects to borrow, and the reclaimed-water connection statistics to support any proposed fee or enterprise-fund allocation.","Committee members disagreed on whether to pursue full roadway reconstruction (including underground utility upgrades) for Boca Ciega Drive and Gulf Winds Drive — staff flagged high utility replacement costs that drive project estimates and recommended exploring scaled repairs while awaiting possible FEMA or county mitigation funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6211704,"St. Pete Beach leaders press to accelerate Fire Station 22 rebuild amid storm-recovery funding questions",241,517000,758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6&start=517&end=758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3690536-69922241d1cf4e432921b85e3a9545b6/thumbnail_517000.jpg","/articles/6211704/St-Pete-Beach/Pinellas-County/Florida/St-Pete-Beach-leaders-press-to-accelerate-Fire-Station-22-rebuild-amid-storm-recovery-funding-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211704-ef7f0e4206934529ff31332927d4c889/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153197&Signature=j0m9EayiOZ4AVEBfym8CWHLbOelWhUnsadcudsfjgqRdf9Q~XzzD5IZU7-KV2DO7~ojNlQoFqg7OMl5hHZVzaHudVei47VOOQUYVLxrlL8WkPZj69A~45nnpmXkMrxMKQla8lm~nSFPLXOaM-UQ4p8AXRCyNtmWUv6AcX1qPfvVO~-aZSu0-gMRXq~FwK5ATfrP3hZbuNWdgl8cYUgohe75syYVkY0NmGWXVkKIlMVkLKSHLVl0NS8z6bcQSTmZpRQFibsL~w-Y7fD4TRafuKNwW5xeQHwQMxJS3y2D89eyDmYjobmtN5okCn1xCmSU-wcZ-l4eoY4ZdxsfCVARL-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Devin Schmidt, St. Pete Beach finance director, told the Finance & Budget Committee that staff is advancing design work for Fire Station 22 and has increased the 2025 appropriation to cover design costs.

The committee was told the current plan shows $485,000 for design work in 2025 and a $10,000,000 construction estimate in 2027. Schmidt said staff will pursue state grant funds and potential FEMA reimbursement and will balance any remaining need with loan options.

Why it matters: Fire Station 22 sustained storm damage and committee members said replacing the station is urgent because the existing temporary facilities are costly and the current building no longer meets operational needs. The timing and funding of the project affect near-term borrowing needs and monthly operating costs while the department remains in temporary space.

Schmidt, the city finance director, said staff gave the project high priority in the capital improvement plan and noted the project could be eligible for FEMA Category B reimbursement. Committee members asked about accelerating the schedule because temporary housing costs are mounting.

A staff speaker (identified in the meeting as the city manager) told the committee, “We are expending, I believe, about $8,000 a month right now for temporary facilities,” and added that staff had been “directed to move forward as quickly as possible.” That same speaker said the project has gone through a variance process that requires building permits by October under the city’s rules.

Committee members discussed pursuing additional state support. The city manager said staff had requested a further $3,000,000 appropriation from the state this year and reported “positive feedback” on that request. Schmidt said the plan is to use grant funding first, then seek FEMA reimbursement or a loan for remaining costs.

Members also asked whether the county could contribute under the city’s cooperative emergency-services agreement. Staff explained the cooperative agreement does not obligate the county to pay capital costs but said the city will pursue county partners within a larger $813 million mitigation and recovery funding conversation the county is coordinating.

The committee did not take a formal vote; staff was given direction to continue design, pursue available state grants and FEMA reimbursement, refine cost estimates, and return to the commission with appropriation requests and financing options. The city manager said staff will aim to minimize borrowed amounts while keeping the project moving.

Looking ahead: Staff will return to the commission for formal appropriation and contract approvals; any construction schedule depends on permit timelines, results of grant and FEMA discussions, and final design.","City staff said design work for Fire Station 22 will receive a $485,000 design appropriation in 2025 with $10 million estimated for construction in 2027; staff and committee discussed using state grants, FEMA reimbursements or loans and were directed to move the project forward quickly while seeking county and state support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

St. Pete Beach flags $30.1 million Don CeSar resiliency adaptation in stormwater plan

Committee flags reclaimed-water maintenance gaps and fund shortfall; fee study to follow

Committee weighs full reconstruction of Boca Ciega and Gulf Winds drives against borrowing and shorter repairs

St. Pete Beach leaders press to accelerate Fire Station 22 rebuild amid storm-recovery funding questions