Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2025 Council Approved Budget and Accept and Appropriate to the Grants Fund, the Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan; ADAPT Long Creek Blueway Project; and Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund Grants Awarded by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Discussion:
The Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF) is a funding source established by the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide support for regions and localities across Virginia to reduce the impacts of flooding, including flooding driven by climate change. The City of Hampton has been awarded grants for three projects in areas at risk of flooding impacts from a variety of sources, including storm surge, precipitation-driven flooding, tidal nuisance flooding, and longer-term impacts of sea level rise.
The three projects include:
(1) The Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan, which will be Hampton’s third watershed-level resilience plan and will identify assets and challenges, and strategies and projects to improve resilience in these areas.
(2) The ADAPT Long Creek Blueway project will explore the elevation of First Street between Blue Marlin Way and Pilot Avenue, the elevation of First Street between Tappan Avenue and Benthall Road, and the creation of a surge barrier between Benthall Road and First Street. The project will explore the creation of street elevations and a surge barrier to ensure access to Buckroe neighborhoods during storm events, provide flood protection to homes, and enhance recreational opportunities along Long Creek.
(3) The Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I will analyze the existing GIS system, utilize existing stormwater infrastructure data, correct topology issues, and preform a GAP analysis. This study will provide information needed to update existing hydraulic and hydrologic studies to incorporate sea level rise and increased precipitation. Study funding will also install several flood sensors throughout the city to calibrate the Citywide Stormwater Model.
Funding provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's CFPF Grant for Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan will support work to complete the Water Planning effort, including developing strategies for resilience, conceptual project design, and community engagement. Funding provided by the CFPF Grant for the ADAPT Long Creek Blueway project will moving from conceptual to preliminary designs of the project to verify feasibility. Funding provided by the CFPF Grant for the Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I will support the creation of a citywide hydraulic and hydrologic model and install flood sensors.
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 three grants for three separate projects through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Community Flood Preparedness Fund ("CFPF Grant");
WHEREAS, the first project is the "Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan," which will create the City of Hampton's third watershed-level resilience plan and will identify assets, challenges, strategies, and projects to improve resilience in these areas;
WHEREAS, the Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan CFPF Grant is in the amount of $360,000 with an accompanying required local cash match of $240,000, for a combined total project budget of $600,000;
WHEREAS, the second project is the "ADAPT Long Creek Blueway Project," which will explore the elevation of roads to ensure access during a storm event and the creation of a surge barrier to provide flood protection;
WHEREAS, the ADAPT Long Creek Blueway Project CFPF Grant is in the amount of $775,000 with an accompanying required local cash match of $775,000, for a combined total project budget of $1,550,000;
WHEREAS, the third project is the “Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I," which will support the development of a citywide hydraulic and hydrologic model and install flood sensors;
WHEREAS, the Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I Project CFPF Grant is in the amount of $1,933,200 with an accompanying required local cash match of $214,800, for a combined total project budget of $2,148,000;
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 and design interventions to create solutions for resilience, including stormwater management and water quality improvements; and
WHEREAS, all three CFPF Grant awards cover the period from approximately August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2027.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends the Fiscal Year 2025 Council Approved Budget to:
(1) accept and appropriate to the Grants Fund the Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan CFPF Grant in the amount of $360,000; the ADAPT Long Creek Blueway Project in the amount of $775,000; and the Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I CFPF Grant in the amount of $1,933,200; 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 Department of Public Works' Stormwater Management Fund to the Grants Fund: $240,000 for the Fox Hill, Grandview, and Harris Creek Water Plan CFPF Grant; $775,000 for the ADAPT Long Creek Blueway Project CFPF Grant; and $214,800 for the Citywide Stormwater Model: Phase I 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.