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APPROVE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A BROWNFIELDS COALITION COMMUNITY-WIDE ASSESSMENT GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2018-19 ANNUAL BUDGET
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to accept grant funding from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the amount of $600,000, for the Brownfields Coalition Community-Wide Assessment Grant Program;
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Stockton, Successor Agency to the Former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Stockton, and San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG);
3. Amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 Annual Budget to increase the Economic Development Department’s Special Purpose Grants fund expenditure and revenue appropriation by $600,000; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution including executing, on behalf of the City of Stockton, all required contracts or agreements with the granting agency, provide additional information and furnish such documents as may be required, execute all documents and amendments or extensions pertaining to the grant project, and make all required appropriations in compliance with and for the purposes stated in the Project Agreement.
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Summary
In November 2017, the Economic Development Department (EDD) submitted an application to the EPA requesting funding under its Brownfields Coalition Community-wide Assessment Grant program in the amount of $600,000. On April 25, 2018, EDD was notified by the EPA that the application was selected for award (Attachment A - Notice of Award). Funds received for this three-year grant program will be used to develop a Brownfields Site Revitalization Program which will begin with an inventory and assessment of brownfields in and around the City’s downtown and waterfront area that may be eligible to apply for future clean-up grants. The assessment grant period runs from September 1, 2018, to November 30, 2021.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of Stockton as the lead, along with supporting coalition members, SJCOG and the Stockton Successor Agency, applied for an EPA Brownfields Coalition Community-wide Assessment Grant in the amount of $600,000 on November 16, 2017. Applicants not applying as a coalition are limited to applying for the EPA’s $200,000 assessment grant. A Notice of Intent to apply for the grant was authorized by the City Manager’s office on November 2, 2017 (Attachment B). The grant application required letters of commitment from each supporting coalition member (Attachment C and D). The grant requires the City to enter into a memorandum of agreement with supporting coalition members before funds may be expended.
To receive the grant funds, the City, SJCOG, and the Stockton Successor Agency have formed the Brownfields Assessment Coalition, collectively referred to as “the Coalition” (Exhibit 1 to the Resolution - Memorandum of Agreement). The goal of the Coalition is to support transit-oriented development by focusing on key brownfield properties in and around the downtown and waterfront (the “Target Area” - Attachment E) and along transit routes in San Joaquin County connected to the Target Area. Brownfields include former industrial or commercial sites where redevelopment may be affected by real or perceived environmental contamination.
While the Target Area has made progress towards revitalization through prior EPA brownfields grants, much of the area remains blighted by vacant brownfields. Assessment of sites to further EPA clean-up grant application eligibility will facilitate public-private partnerships, where the unknown financial burden involved with potential environmental contamination can discourage potential developers.
The Coalition will engage the community throughout the project to prioritize revitalization opportunities in accordance with established community plans and objectives. The project will include assessment activities at priority brownfield sites, including Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), Phase II ESAs (which may include regulated building materials surveys [e.g., asbestos and lead paint]). The project will also include preparation of site-specific Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCAs) and/or Remedial Action Plans (RAPs) and area-wide planning (AWP) activities for priority brownfield-impacted areas.
Present Situation
On April 25, 2018, the EPA selected the City for a $600,000 assessment coalition grant to develop a Brownfield Site Revitalization Program, and a Notice of Award was received from EPA on August 29, 2018. The components of the grant program will be to:
• Develop a Request for Proposal/Request for Qualifications(RFP/RFQ) and/or other materials related to selecting a contractor or entering into a contract for the assessment work based on the approved EPA work plan.
• Community outreach to inform the community and other stakeholders about the brownfields project and provide an opportunity for them to comment on proposed actions.
• Work towards brownfields inventory, prioritization, and site eligibility determinations, collaboratively choosing criteria that address specific community needs and goals.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The approved budget breakdown is as follows:
|
|
YEAR 1 |
YEAR 2 |
YEAR 3 |
TOTAL |
|
|
9/1/18-8/31/19 |
9/1/19-8/31/20 |
9/1/20-11/30/21 |
|
|
Petroleum |
|
|
|
|
|
City Personnel/Administration |
5,600 |
7,140 |
7,140 |
19,880 |
|
Consultant/Professional Services |
78,900 |
101,860 |
97,360 |
278,120 |
|
Travel |
500 |
1,000 |
500 |
2,000 |
|
Subtotal |
85,000 |
110,000 |
105,000 |
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hazardous Substances |
|
|
|
|
|
City Personnel/Administration |
5,600 |
7,140 |
7,140 |
19,880 |
|
Consultant/Professional Services |
78,900 |
101,860 |
97,360 |
278,120 |
|
Travel |
500 |
1,000 |
500 |
2,000 |
|
Subtotal |
85,000 |
110,000 |
105,000 |
300,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
$170,000 |
$220,000 |
$210,000 |
$600,000 |
The grant program does not require matching funds and will have no impact to the General Fund. A budget appropriation in FY 2018-19 is requested for grant revenue and expenses to the Economic Development Department’s Special Purpose Grants fund, with Account Numbers 020-1764 (Petroleum), and 020-1765 (Hazardous Substances).
Attachment A - Notice of Award
Attachment B - Notice of Intent to Apply for Grant
Attachment C - SJCOG Letter of Commitment
Attachment D - City/Successor Agency Letter of Commitment
Attachment E - Target Area Map