Dunedin centralizes grants work, creates searchable database and secures $4.6 million EWP award

City of Dunedin staff updated the City Commission June 3 on a newly centralized grant program, a searchable repository of past applications and a string of active funding pursuits that include a $4,600,000 Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) award for drainage work.

Nicole Delfino, strategy and sustainability manager, and Camille Zoller, the city’s grant specialist, described work since the grant specialist position was created in the 2024–25 budget and filled in December 2024: a consolidated Microsoft Teams “grant application database” (GAD), an at‑a‑glance tracking spreadsheet for recent applications, and revisions to the city’s grant policy to allow staff more flexibility to pursue time‑sensitive opportunities.

“When I started in December, the city had no amalgamated record of our previous grant seeking efforts,” Camille Zoller told the commission. She said the GAD now holds copies of prior applications, communications with funders and feedback that can guide re‑submissions, and that staff populated records back to 2020.

Zoller and Delfino outlined recent and active funding work: - An Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) award for roughly $4,600,000 to clear drainage ditches and stabilize eroded areas; the city was selected in April but distribution of EWP funds is currently paused at the federal level pending administrative guidance. - Notices of interest to Pinellas County’s HMGP (Hazard Mitigation Grant Program) allocation for Hurricanes Helene and Milton for five municipal projects, including wastewater and water treatment plant building hardening, Lift Station 8 rehabilitation, gabion repair along Cedar Creek/Idlewild Drive, and reconstruction of emergency docks and the Dunedin Marina fishing pier. Those notices were submitted May 16 and will be prioritized by the county LMS (Local Mitigation Strategy) work group prior to full application. - Ongoing submittals and requests tied to the Clearwater ferry dock reconstruction (PSTA), state appropriation requests through the county legislative delegation for marina restoration and stormwater repair, and private grants such as TD Charitable Foundation and T‑Mobile Hometown grants to help fund operating costs for the city’s freebie loop transit service.

Delfino explained that private funders and state discretionary programs are being pursued to offset general‑fund costs for the freebie loop. She said the city requested a TD Charitable Foundation award to fund one year of freebie operations and has applied to FDOT District 7 discretionary funds that can cover up to half of operating costs for up to three years; the T‑Mobile $50,000 hometown grant was not awarded this round.

Delfino and Zoller described the grant procurement tracking form staff use to brief the city manager and commission when applications are submitted and, later, when awards arrive. They emphasized coordination with departments to ensure grant proposals match planned capital projects and to confirm required local matches are available before applying.

On process and capacity, staff said short windows for many state and federal applications (often 60 days or less) make a centralized function and ready access to prior applications important. Delfino said staff had also updated the city’s grant policy (approved in April) to give the grant specialist authority to file timely applications within defined parameters.

Commissioners asked about timing and next steps. Zoller said the FDOT District 7 discretionary results are typically announced in October–November, with awards becoming available the following spring. She said the county will prioritize HMGP projects before full applications are due in July. On EWP, Zoller described a multidisciplinary submission that included drone footage, GIS, photos and agency coordination; she said the USDA program’s disbursement pause is national and not a reflection on the city’s application.

City Manager Jennifer and staff said department directors will continue to coordinate with the grants team, and that staff will return to the commission with updates and funding outcomes as they are received. No formal votes were taken during the informational presentation.