SUBJECT
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Approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement No. QG010 between Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Polk County and to fund the Wilson Ranch Reserve Hydrological Restoration Project. (no fiscal impact)
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DESCRIPTION
In 2023, Polk County entered into a Comprehensive Services Agreement (CSA No. 2023-059) with HGS, LLC, doing business as RES Environmental Operating Company ("RES"), for the design and construction of a regional water quality treatment and wetland restoration project located at the confluence of Lower Saddle Creek and Peace Creek Canal, forming the headwaters of the Peace River (the "Project").
Under the terms of the CSA, the County and RES are required to collaborate in securing funding for the Project. Therefore September 2023, the County submitted an application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Water Quality Improvement Grant Program, requesting $7,500,000. FDEP awarded the County the full requested amount, and by October 2024, the County executed Grant Agreement No. QC010. The primary objectives of this grant are to complete pre-construction activities and initiate construction. The grant carries no local match requirement.
Polk County is now requesting approval of Amendment No. 1 to Grant Agreement No. QC010. The amendment formally extends the grant deadline to October 31, 2028, and revises deliverables and reimbursable amounts for Tasks 1 and 2 to reflect delays associated with federal and state permitting processes. These adjustments do not alter the overall intent or total budget of the original agreement. Rather this enables the County to expedite reimbursement for Task 1 expenses.
Pursuant to CSA No. 2023-059, Polk County will continue to coordinate closely with RES to carry out the tasks outlined in Amendment No. 1 to Agreement QG010. The County will receive reimbursement from FDEP upon successful completion and approval of each grant task.
The project has been approved by STAC.
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