A) Approve and execute contract between the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and Lee County for funding of the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center improvements.  

B) Approve Budget Amendment Resolution for $350,000 and amend the CIP FY 19/20 budget accordingly. 

C) Authorize the Chair to execute the Fixed Capital Outlay Certification acknowledging use of state funds to improve and enhance the real property at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center owned by Lee County in accordance with the contract. 

D) Authorize the Chair to execute contract documents on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners. 

This item accepts House Appropriation funds from the State of Florida in the amount of $350,000 for improvements to the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center.

County staff submitted the request for funding after performing a building inspection in October 2018. The inspection found the following improvements necessary to bring the building into compliance with County standards:

• Replacement of A/C units and restroom cabinetry,
• Plumbing upgrades,
• Enhancements to interior and exterior lighting,
• ADA modifications, and
• Parking lot upgrades. 

The term of the contract is upon execution through June 30, 2021. Lee County’s matching contribution is $248,500, which includes the center’s annual operating costs and is included in the budget.

The Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center, Inc., a Florida Not For Profit Corporation that has provided health, wellness, educational, and social programs for citizens age 50 and older since 1979.

To prevent the closing of the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center, Lee County agreed to assume more financial responsibility beginning in FY 19 to rehabilitate, maintain and operate the Center. Lee County’s support ensures that the daily operations at the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center will continue for the health, wellness, educational, and social programs for seniors in Lehigh Acres.

In January of 2019, Lee County staff submitted a House Appropriations funding request for improvements to Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center. During the 2019 Florida Legislative Session, the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center project was approved. 

Over time, the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizen Center lost its major financial partners causing the Lehigh Senior Center Board of Directors to ask Lee County for financial assistance with the center’s operation and maintenance.  Lee County has increasingly assumed maintenance projects for the Center, after the Center lost its primary source of funding.

Before assuming more responsibilities at the center, County staff performed a building inspection. The results of the inspection deemed the need for numerous repairs to the center. Improvements include: replacement of A/C units and restroom cabinetry, plumbing upgrades, enhancements to interior and exterior lighting, ADA modifications, and parking lot upgrades.

The total financial commitment for the center includes:

-  $350,000 capital investment in structural upgrades, including $215,000

   for ADA compliance (State funds)

-  Annual budget of $248,500 for operation and maintenance (Lee County

   funds)

Per section 287.05805, Fla. Stat., each state agency is required to include in the contract a requirement that any state funds provided for the improvements to real property are contingent upon the political subdivision (i.e., the County) granting to the state a security interest in the property for the amount of state funds provided, for at least 5 years from the date of completion of the improvements or as further required by law.

If these improvements are not implemented, the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center will fall into further disrepair that could adversely affect the citizens that utilize the facility.

The construction must be completed by the grant’s expiration date of June 30, 2021. 

A construction management firm will be utilized to manage the construction. The contract, along with the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), will be brought before the Board of County Commissioners for approval in the near future.