Sebastian City Council voted to accept a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant, managed through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to fund renovations at Riverview Park and adopted resolution R-25-44 authorizing acceptance.

City staff said the grant award was received after an application submitted roughly two years ago. The city has budgeted matching funds: $1 million in last year's capital improvement plan and additional matching funds planned next year from the city's DST (debt service/transfer) allocations.

"We had applied for it. It will be used for renovations to Riverview Park," a staff member said. Parks and Recreation Director Mister Blankenship confirmed the department will coordinate design and permitting; staff also noted a separate fine-grant in the CRA will support design and permitting tasks.

Council discussion included a note that the grant's expiration date is July 31, 2028, giving the city time to schedule work. One councilor said approving the grant does not obligate immediate project spending and stressed careful budgeting given other economic pressures and state-level developments. The council adopted R-25-44 on a recorded roll call with yes votes from Council member Dodd, Council member Nunn, Mayor McPartland and Vice Mayor Jones.

City staff will return with implementation steps and incorporate the grant funding into future budget cycles as design and permitting proceed.