Item 8BAGENDA ITEM # 8B
AUGUST 9, 2010
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Grant Updates
DATE: July 27, 2010
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson Asst. City Manager
BACKGROUND:
Based on a request from Commission Parsons, the purpose of this report is to
discuss some of the grant projects and applications submitted by the City of
Atlantic Beach.
There are many types of grants and sources of funding that are available to local
governments, and they vary significantly relative to the application process and
funding decisions. Some funding sources are easily accessed by simply filling out
applications. Others require negotiations between regional officials to establish
how much each entity will receive. Some funding decisions are dependent on
boards and committees who oversee the distribution of funds, while other
applications are highly competitive with numerous organizations competing with
one another for the limited funds.
Atlantic Beach has a number of employees who pursue grants in various ways.
Community Development Director Sonya Doerr coordinates with the City of
Jacksonville on Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) each year.
Utilities Director Donna Kaluzniak has successfully pursued grants and low
interest loans to pay for TMDL upgrades. Public Works Director Rick Carper
worked with consultants to obtain a grant for the Hopkins Creek Project. And,
several police staff members including Chief Classey, Lt. Gualillo, Lt. Layson, Lt.
Cameron, Det. Sumrall, and Officer Jamison have successfully pursued grants.
And most of these people are assisted by administrative staff members who
organize, research, and edit the materials in the applications.
In 2008, I was appointed to the Assistant City Manager position. One of my
responsibilities was to seek grant funding for City projects.
Since 2008, I have been involved in successfully seeking more than $2 million in
funding for more than 20 projects. My involvement has varied according to the
need. In some cases, I simply attended meetings, made telephone calls,
negotiated with local officials, wrote applications, or proofed applications. In
other cases, I identified the need, coordinated with the appropriate staff members,
pursued the funding, wrote the grant applications, and negotiated with the
necessary local, state, and federal people to bring about a successful grant project.
AGENDA ITEM # 8B
AUGUST 9.2010
Some of the grants and/or increases in funding that would probably not have been
acquired without my specific initiative and involvement include:
Salt Air Sewer Rehabilitation $288,000
Donner Sewer Rehabilitation $178,000
Urban Area Security Initiative $48,000
ARRA Energy Grant (COJ) $103,400
State Energy Program $234,789
Florida Inland Navigation Phase I $31,000
Florida Inland Navigation Phase II $96,790
ARRA JAG $138,000
Total $1,117,979
Added to $50,000 Initially
Above the original allocation
Most of these projects are still in progress, and they will require further follow-up to see
that they are completed. This list does not include additional applications that have been
submitted with no decisions made on funding.
Note: Many of these projects will save money for many years into the future. For
example, the Salt Air Sewer Rehabilitation project will eliminate tens of millions of
gallons of rainwater and ground water from being processed as sewage every year for the
next 50 years. Another example is the Energy grants that will lower the City's
consumption of electricity and reduce gasoline consumption for many years into the
future. The grant funding to complete a project is just a fraction of the benefit that will
be derived by the city and the citizens.
Additional applications have been submitted for the following projects, but no decisions
have been made relative to their approvals:
Pre-Disaster Mitigation $349,100 EOC/Police Building
Hazard Mitigation Wind Retrofit $26, 250 City Hall
Lowes $25,000 Veteran's Memorial Park
Winn-Dixie $25,000 Veteran's Memorial Park
Home Depot $2,500 Veteran's Memorial Park
Summary: City staff members from various departments actively seek funding for
projects. I assist and participate as needed, to help facilitate the acquisition of funding
from outside sources.
BUDGET:
None
RECOMMENDATIONS: None
ATTACHMENTS: None
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGE ~
A NDA ITEM NUMBER: