Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget and Accept and Appropriate to the Grants Fund, the Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue Project; Sunset Creek Urban Channel Naturalization Project; Billy Woods Canal Project; and Big Bethel Blueway; Albany Drive at Big Bethel Road Project Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund Grants Awarded by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Discussion:
(1) The Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue Project, will reduce repetitive flooding experienced on a critical transportation corridor, increase stormwater runoff storage capacity, improve water quality, create safe and accessible public walking and biking amenities, and invest in protecting natural ecosystems present at the site.
(2) The Sunset Creek Urban Channel Naturalization Project, will enhance nutrient removal to improve water quality, restore the natural connectivity and floodway of the tidal channel, improve buffers, improve the safety of the channel, pilot different channel lining products, and provide additional stormwater storage within the watershed.
(3) The Billy Woods Canal Project, is designed to increase upstream water storage in the canal, with the goal of both reducing downstream flooding and increasing the volume of stormwater that is treated to improve water quality following high intensity rain events. The project will also create public access to green and blue space and enhance native habitats.
(4) The Big Bethel Blueway; Albany Drive at Big Bethel Road Project, will reduce flooding in its drainage shed by slowing and storing water in an existing drainage canal. The project will create public access to green and blue space, enhance native habitats, and improve water quality.
Funding provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Community Flood Preparedness Fund Grant for these projects will support project design and construction. These projects embody Hampton’s commitment to living with water as a strategy for resilience.
Impact:
The implementation of these projects aligns with the strategies identified in the Resilient Hampton plan “Living with Water Hampton: A Holistic Approach to Addressing Sea Level Rise and Resiliency.” These projects embrace Council's strategic priority of living with water by integrating interventions that connect citizens to water while mitigating flooding impacts and enhancing the natural environment. The projects will also support the City of Hampton to reach its pollution reduction targets for the Chesapeake Bay.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton has been awarded four grants for four separate projects through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Community Flood Preparedness Fund ("CFPF Grant");
WHEREAS, the first project is the "Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue Project," which was identified in the Newmarket Creek Water Plan as part of a suite of projects identified to slow, store, redirect, and adapt to flooding challenges;
WHEREAS, the Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue Project CFPF Grant is in the amount of $3,841,544 with an accompanying required local cash match of $2,068,524, for a combined total project budget of $5,910,068;
WHEREAS, the second project is the "Sunset Creek Urban Channel Naturalization Project," which will improve water quality in the project area through the use of green channel improvements to treat stormwater runoff and the creation of additional water storage;
WHEREAS, the Sunset Creek Urban Channel Naturalization Project CFPF Grant is in the amount of $2,022,143 with an accompanying required local cash match of $505,536, for a combined total project budget of $2,527,679;
WHEREAS, the third project is the “Billy Woods Canal Project," which will support the design of the plan as a feeder canal of Newmarket Creek that could be retrofitted to support additional stormwater storage, enhance the canal with public access, recreational opportunities, and maintain the health of native ecosystems;
WHEREAS, the Billy Woods Canal Project CFPF Grant is in the amount of $291,850 with an accompanying required local cash match of $157,150, for a combined total project budget of $449,000;
WHEREAS, the fourth project is the “Big Bethel Blueway; Albany Drive at Big Bethel Road Project," which is designed to slow, store, and redirect water as a strategy to mitigate negative impacts of flooding;
WHEREAS, the Big Bethel Blueway; Albany Drive at Big Bethel Road Project CFPF Grant is in the amount of $3,008,500 with an accompanying required local cash match of $752,125, for a combined total project budget of $3,760,625;
WHEREAS, the CFPF Grants for the above-described projects will be used by the Department of Public Works and the Community Development Department to plan, design, and construct interventions to create solutions for resilience, including stormwater management and water quality improvements; and
WHEREAS, all four CFPF Grant awards cover the period from approximately June 1, 2022 through May 1, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to:
(1) accept and appropriate to the Grants Fund the Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue Project CFPF Grant in the amount of $3,841,544; the Sunset Creek Urban Channel Naturalization Project in the amount of $2,022,143; the Billy Woods Canal Project CFPF Grant in the amount of $291,850; and the Big Bethel Blueway; Albany Drive at Big Bethel Road Project CFPF Grant in the amount of $3,008,500; and any supplemental funding, awarded by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in accordance with the grant agreements; and
(2) approve the transfer of the following amounts from the City of Hampton’s Environmental Impact Bond to the Grants Fund: $2,068,524 for the Lake Hampton and North Armistead Avenue Project CFPF Grant; and $752,125 for the Big Bethel Blueway; Albany Drive at Big Bethel Road Project CFPF Grant; and
(3) approve the transfer of the following amounts from the Department of Public Works' Stormwater Management Fund to the Grants Fund: $505,536 for the Sunset Creek Urban Channel Naturalization Project CFPF Grant; and $157,150 for the Billy Woods Canal Project CFPF Grant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take any and all actions necessary to implement these grant awards, including execution of the relevant grant agreements upon approval by the City Attorney.