CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: March 30, 2021
Agenda Date: April 27, 2021
Prepared By: Frank Mirabito, Project Manager
Through: Bryant Smith III, P.E., CFM, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Requested Action:
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Council approval to apply as necessary for two types of grants through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for the removal of eligible derelict vessels. Authorize the City Manager to administer the grant process. End
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Cocoa has become a popular destination for the boating public and more particularly Historic Cocoa Village. This has unfortunately resulted in the abandonment of vessels presenting hazards to navigation and localized pollution. In November of 2019, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued updated guidelines for local municipalities to apply for grants to remove derelict vessels from State waters.
The first type of grant is for bulk vessel removal and is the most common situation involving the removal of derelict vessels. The second type of grant is the rapid removal grant which provides for a more urgent request to remove derelict vessels that are in danger of imminent sinking, breaking apart, or is a critical danger to public safety. If approved, the City may be eligible for reimbursement in the event the City performs a future removal through a qualified contractor. City staff is seeking a pro-active approval of grant application as it can be unpredictable when a vessel may become derelict and a removal may need to take place timely.
Only vessels that have satisfied the state defined legal process shall be eligible for removal and reimbursement under the grant conditions. These grants will reimburse the City of Cocoa for 100% of the funding required to remove derelict vessels.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONNECTION:
Removing derelict vessels will provide boaters with safer navigation in the City of Cocoa and remove pollutants from the Indian River Lagoo...
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