Northeast Corridor Greenway Acquisition – Mitigation Feasibility Study ResultsCity Council WorkshopJune 24, 2014

Strategic Action Plan

Presentation Outline

Background:• Northeast Corridor Projects Action Plan

• Project Location• Project Benefits• Consultant Selection

Feasibility Study Results:• Feasibility Study

• Project Objective and Scope• Findings

Recommendation:

Northeast Corridor

Acquisition Benefits

Potential Benefits of Land Purchase• Wetland Mitigation – Potential to create mitigation credits for use of transportation

and other city projects in lieu of purchasing mitigation credits from a wetland mitigation bank.

• Recreational Uses - Investigate passive recreational uses of the site to expand connectivity to other lands to expand public uses.

Primary Benefits of Land Purchases• Cost Savings & Timing – Ability to avoid eminent domain proceedings. Ability to keep

projects moving forward with the Interchange project schedule. • Floodplain Compensation – Land necessary for completion of Northeast Corridor

projects.• City control of Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) - Critical component in the National

Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the City’s community rating that directly affects flood insurance rates.

• Water Quality - Benefits water quality in the Pellicer Creek Basin.• Habitat - Expands the existing regional conservation corridor and ecological

significance due to the unique linkage to conservation areas to the north and south.

NE Corridor Greenway Acquisition(NECGA) Mitigation Project

Project Site

November 19, 2013: Resolution issued to execute a Work Order to Jones Edmunds & Associates, Inc.

• Project Objective – Produce a feasibility study to guide the City on project costs and timing of design, permitting, monitoring and overall management of the NECGA with a cost-benefit analysis in-mind.

• Total Project Budget 2013-2014: $150,000.00

• Cost of Services for Study - $35,278.00 $114,722.00

Northeast Corridor Greenway Acquisition (NECGA) Project

1952 2004Today

Wetland Mitigation Potential

Existing

Target

Wetland Mitigation Potential

Existing

Target

Wetland Restoration Objectives

Existing

Target

Wetland Restoration Objectives

Existing

Target

Wetland Restoration Objectives

Existing

Target

Recreational Use Opportunities

Recreational Use Opportunities

Recreational Use Opportunities

Recreational Use Opportunities

Recreation / Floodplain Storage

Rec. Improvements : $215,500 - $659,000Floodplain Storage: $32,000 - $60,000

Findings Focus:• Feasibility Study identified Alternatives (Options)

• Integrates input from St. Johns River Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• A cost / benefit analysis was conducted for each of the following

1: Required restoration only:1A: SJRWMD – approved restoration plan1B: Compensation Plan

2: Optional Wetland Mitigation Program: 2A: Restoration & Enhancements -> 5 credits2B: Restoration & Enhancements - > 10 credits

**Note: Floodplain & recreational elements cost(s) identified separately

NECGA – Mitigation Feasibility Study

Analysis included cost estimates for the following:

• Permitting (if applicable), Design & Engineering• Mobilization (includes surveying and “record drawings”)• Erosion and Sediment Control (materials and labor)• Clearing and grubbing• Earthwork (excavation, embankment, grading etc.)• Plant material, installation, supplemental planting (if needed)• Maintenance of exotic/invasives – Min. 5 Years• Compliance Monitoring and Reporting – Min. 5 Years• 10% Contingency

NECGA – Mitigation Feasibility Study

Regulatory Required Restoration

1B - Compensation Plan:$1.95 M

$1.42 M1A - SJRWMD Approved Plan:

Floodplain Storage

(8.0 acres)

Regulatory Required RestorationPotential of In-House Services

1B - Compensation Plan:$975,500 $710,0001A - SJRWMD Approved Plan:

Floodplain Storage

(8.0 acres)

Staff Summary of Findings

Regulatory Required Restoration: • Requires detailed engineering and design• 1A (Approved = $1,950,000) vs. 1B (Compensation = $1,420,000)• Approximately 50% of cost is clearing and ground work• Approximately 50% of cost is distributed over a minimum 5-year period• 1A is more costly overall and difficult to construct – no permitting required• 1B is preferred option to prepare and permit future options for recreation and wetland

mitigation credit • 1B creates consolidated potential public viewing area and greatly likelihood of success

Findings Focus:• Feasibility Study identified 3 primary Alternatives (Options) for action.

• Integrates input from St. Johns River Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• A cost / benefit analysis was conducted for each of the following.

1: Required restoration only:1A: SJRWMD – approved restoration plan1B: Compensation Plan

2: Optional Wetland Mitigation Program: 2A: Restoration & Enhancements -> 5 credits2B: Restoration & Enhancements - > 10 credits

**Note: Floodplain & recreational elements cost(s) identified separately

NECGA – Mitigation Feasibility Study

Advanced Wetland Mitigation Feasibility

2: Compensation Plan plus Enhancements

2A Generates 5 credits Mitigation Bank Costs: $550,000Project Expenditures: - $300,000

Savings: $250,000

Legend

Upland Enhancement

Wetland Preservation

Parking Lot

Wetland Creation Area

Wetland Restoration Area

Soil Stockpile Area

Wetland Enhancement

FloodplainCompensation

Wetland Mitigation Bank Credit Avg. Unit Price = $110,000

Floodplain Storage

(8.0 acres)

Additional Floodplain

Storage (2.0 acres)

Advanced Wetland Mitigation Feasibility

2: Compensation Plan plus Enhancements

2B Generates ~ 10 credits Mitigation Bank Costs: $1,100,000 Project Expenditures: -$780,000

Savings: $320,000

Legend

Additional Wetland Creation

Wetland Enhancement

Upland Enhancement

Wetland Preservation

Parking Lot

Wetland Creation Area

Wetland Restoration Area

Soil Stockpile Area

FloodplainCompensation

Wetland Mitigation Bank Credit Avg. Unit Price = $110,000

Floodplain Storage

(8.0 acres)

Additional Floodplain

Storage (4.0 acres)

Staff Summary of Findings

Wetland Mitigation Feasibility Options• Requires detailed engineering, design and permitting • Agency permitting will establish final credit count vs. cost• With exception of potential recreational improvements, property perpetually

preserved• Ecological enhancements will be of significant value for future attractions• Perpetual minimal land management obligation

NECGA – Study Findings

NECGA – Study Findings

NECGA – Staff Recommendations

Staff Recommendations

Expand scope of services under current Work Order for professional services with Jones Edmunds and Associates, Inc. to design, engineer, and seek regulatory approval of Option 1B + 2A/2B to generate 5-10 wetland credits inclusive of future recreation opportunities.

Proposed Council Action

Adopt Resolution on July 1, 2014 executing an amended Work Order for next project phase with Jones Edmunds and Associates, Inc.

Total Project Budget 2013-2014: $150,000 Feasibility Study: - $35,278

$114,722 Additional Services: -$100,000 (Not to exceed Cost Design & Permitting)

Budget Balance : $14,000