City staff propose boat-club channel dredging; grant application planned

Punta Gorda staff introduced a proposed maintenance dredging project for the boat-club channel and basin, telling the 1% sales tax advisory committee the channel has silted and limits access for boating clubs and the public.

Staff listed a January cost estimate based on about 2,400 cubic yards and a total project figure of $330,000. City engineer Brian Clemens explained the staff sheet shows a grant application for roughly $300,000 with the city expected to provide matching funds. "Of course, the city will have matching funds that we'll need to come up with on that," Clemens said.

Finance Director Kristen Simeon clarified the $300,000 figure is the amount the city plans to apply for as a grant and that the grant column on the project form should be marked "TBD" until an award is received. She said the staff sheet shows $30,000 as the current local sales-tax share if the grant is awarded, but if the grant is not received staff would request additional sales-tax funds or other sources to cover the balance.

Committee members asked staff to make forms consistent so the committee can readily see how much is being asked from the 1% sales tax versus other sources. No construction or dredging contract was authorized at the meeting; staff noted permitting and consulting will be required before dredging could proceed.