The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors approved an agreement Wednesday, Aug. 18 with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a $492,000 grant to create bioswales along the south side of the M-O Canal north of 94th Street North that leads to ITID’s M-1 Impoundment.
With the grant, ITID will redevelop existing swales along the roadways to collect and treat stormwater runoff through low impact development practices, such as shaping and planting vegetation. The redesign of the swales will also increase the flow of runoff from the streets and upland areas into the natural features before entering the conveyance system.
The project provides preliminary treatment of stormwater runoff sheet flow for a 484-acre road right of way drainage area, according to the staff report.
The redevelopment of the swales into attractive, yet functional, natural areas will beautify the rights-of-way that run along the many miles of the ITID roadways and serve as a model for the thousands of acres of swales that could benefit from similar redevelopment.
The project may also lead to cost savings through the promotion of better movement and enhancing overall drainage of water, along with the use of appropriate native vegetation in the swales toward reduced annual maintenance costs.
The project will also reduce phosphorous, nitrogen and suspended solids from entering the canal conveyance system and coastal waters.
Grant funds associated with the agreement were awarded based on ITID contributions of $328,000 pledged toward the total project costs.
The agreement was on the consent agenda and approved with no objections.
In other business:
• The board heard a legislative update from State Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-District 25).
• The board approved a request by the Acreage Athletic League to have a plaque on the pavilion at Acreage Community Park to recognize ALA volunteers.
• The board approved a special permit for FPL pole replacement and maintenance on Orange Blvd. The scope of work involves replacing three wood poles with three concrete poles on Orange Blvd., starting about 1,200 feet east of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, ending about 1,400 feet west of Grapeview Blvd., and maintenance to transfer FPL facilities from the existing to the proposed poles.
• The board also approved a special permit to harden the FPL electrical system along 120th Avenue North and 68th Street North by replacing nine wood poles with concrete poles.
• The board approved district participation in the Halloween on Citrus Grove event to include three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies, three Port-O-Lets, two light sets, pumpkins and hay for the ITID pumpkin patch, and costume contest prizes.
• The board approved updated job descriptions, salary ranges and an organizational chart for district staff.
• The board approved a request by the Acreage Athletic League to host a flag football tournament, which will include amplified music and food trucks, at Acreage Community Park from Thursday, Jan. 6 through Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022.
• The board approved a request by the nonprofit First Responders Appreciation & Challenge Event (FRACE) to hold a gravel/mountain bike ride from Temple Park to the M1 Impoundment and back on Jan. 16, 2022.
