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Commission hears Flagler Avenue resiliency plan; county asks city to assume O&M for pump stations
Summary
County and city staff briefed the commission on an $82M-plus Flagler Avenue resiliency design. County officials said a program to fund construction could cover 75% with FEMA HMGP and the county seeks the city’s certification to operate and maintain pump stations when built; city staff will return with O&M cost models and potential funding approaches.
City and county staff used a June 1 discussion to flag a large Flagler Avenue resiliency project that would add engineered stormwater systems and two pump stations along a critical evacuation and arterial route.
Judy Clark (county) and city staff said the full construction estimate at 100% design is about $82 million (including contingency and oversight). They said FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program could fund up to 75% of construction if the benefit-cost analysis and permit approvals succeed; the remaining non-federal match (roughly 25% of construction cost) is being pursued through state grants and could be covered in part by the city infrastructure bond depending on final numbers. Clark emphasized the time-sensitive nature of permitting and that having permits in-hand improves competitive grant scoring.
County staff asked the commission to consider a certification that the city will accept operation and maintenance responsibility for the mechanical systems (pump stations) after construction. City manager Brian Barroso and staff said that certification is a separate step from committing to the construction-match funding; the city would only be financially obligated for O&M if the project is built and the commission later approves funding measures. Matt (staff) said rate-modeling to estimate the O&M burden will be available before the July commission meeting.
Commissioners questioned timing, the magnitude of potential city costs and the policy choices for funding both the city’s construction delta and ongoing O&M. Commissioner Haskell asked whether the city would be on the hook if the 75% federal funding did not materialize; staff and Judy Clark replied the O&M certification applies only if the system is constructed and that construction funding and O&M funding are separate steps.
Staff said they will return with projected O&M costs, proposed funding sequencing and more detailed materials to support a July vote. Commissioners signaled support for continuing the work but requested clear cost models and options before any formal commitment.
