Flagler Beach to apply for multiple resilience grants: berm, stormwater conveyance and lift-station upgrades

The Flagler Beach City Commission authorized staff to submit multiple grant applications aimed at reducing flooding risk and upgrading wastewater infrastructure. Commissioners approved a Resilient Florida grant application for a protective berm along South Flagler Avenue, a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) application for stormwater conveyance and retention improvements in the South Daytona corridor, and a Resilient Florida application to rehabilitate three wastewater lift stations.

City staff described the berm proposal as a project to construct a protective earthen berm behind buildings along South Flagler Avenue from State Route 100 (Moody Boulevard) down to Wickline Park. The objective is to provide flood protection for critical city facilities in the corridor, including the police and fire stations, a pump station and the public library. Latest design estimates discussed at the meeting placed the project near a $4 million total, and the current application would be a 50/50 state–local match; staff said they still await results of a separate cost-benefit analysis that, if favorable, could qualify the project for a 90/10 split under another program.

Commissioners also authorized submission of a federal HMGP application to address drainage problems on South Daytona Avenue in the 26th–28th Street area, proposing conveyance improvements and two additional retention ponds in Powell Parker Park. City engineering staff said the park sits at the low point and is intended to serve as a watershed; the project would add piping, culverts and treatment ponds to move stormwater to Powell Parker and then to an existing outfall.

A third authorization covered a Resilient Florida grant to upgrade three lift stations (Ocean Palm Drive, South Flagler Avenue at South Third, and Moody Lane at Lantana). Staff said designs are shovel-ready and that past grant funds had been used on earlier lift-station and treatment-plant work; the city seeks funding to proceed with rehabilitation and pump replacement for aging lift stations.

Commissioners asked several technical questions, including where pumped water would discharge and how stormwater ponds would be treated. Staff confirmed design steps are complete and that SRF (State Revolving Fund) and other financing processes are ongoing for related wastewater-plant work. The commission unanimously approved the resolutions authorizing the grant applications (Resolutions 2025-48, 2025-49, 2025-50) and staff will submit the grant packages and continue coordination with state and federal agencies.