Feed the Need

December Report

The MTI “Feed the Need” YAB grant project team recently received input pertinent to the Aquaponics Project from the Director of Construction Services at the Manatee County School District.  This information has presented the team with a new set of challenges.  We have learned that, because the site of the project is at Braden River High School, stringent construction requirements may apply. 

We are currently researching which of the design and permitting requirements listed below apply to the Aquaponics Project, and, if they do, how we can best fulfill them in a timely and cost-effective manner: 

1. Selecting a Building Official from a list of firms currently on the District Construction Service’s continuing contracts list, which the school board has approved.

2. Obtaining approval from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD).  We would need to utilize the services of a licensed Civil Engineer to prepare the permit application.  All District permit applications must also go through an authorized agent for the District.

3. Securing proper permitting from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  Again, a licensed Civil Engineer must prepare this permit application and an authorized agent for the District must review and sign it before submitting it to the DEP.

4. Securing proper permitting from the Department of Health (DOH).  This application is prepared by a licensed Civil Engineer and reviewed and signed by an authorized agent for the District.

Other potential requirements as outlined by the School District include:

1. Soils testing where the slab and tanks will be located. A  Board-approved Civil Engineer should locate these and prepare a specification for this work.

2. Survey of the project area by the Civil Engineer or an approved Surveying firm.

3. A Department of Education Spot Survey:  A letter stating that no state or district funding will be used for the project may be all that is required for this. We must submit a letter to the appropriate district representative for a determination.

4. Construction Documents. A licensed Architect must prepare, sign and seal the documents in order to obtain the building permit and other permits.

5. Determining what specific plans and contracts will require School Board approval, how occupancy will be classified and how the project will be reported to the Department of Education. 

Investigation and resolution of the outlined variables have had an impact on our timeline and budget line item allocation.  We are committed to working through the design, permitting and testing issues and successfully completing the project within a reasonable time period and within the overall budget parameters of the grant. 

We are in the process of contacting the appropriate government agencies, construction and engineering firms, and vendors so we can resolve issues/questions raised by the School Board.  Our January report to State Farm will detail how we will resolve these issues and will include a revised action plan.