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AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR EQUITABLE COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION GRANT PROGRAM
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control for the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant Program.
2. If awarded, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept the grant award, conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents including applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, and make all necessary appropriations in compliance with and for the purposes stated in the grant application.
It is further recommended that the City Manager, or designee, be authorized to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
In 2021, Governor Newsom signed legislation referred to as the Cleanup in Vulnerable Communities Initiative, allocating $500 million to expedite the cleanup and beneficial reuse of contaminated properties, with priority given to properties in historically vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. The Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Office of Brownfields Equitable Communities Revitalization Grant (ECRG) will provide more than $250 million in grants to incentivize cleanup and investment in disadvantaged areas of California.
California local governments, nonprofits and federally and non-federally recognized tribes are eligible to apply. Grants will be awarded following an application process, with funds available for community-wide assessments, environmental investigations, and environmental cleanups that support beneficial reuses, such as recreational uses, commercial enterprises, and housing.
Staff recommends the submittal of a grant application in the amount of up to $7,000,000 for the ECRG Program. This grant does not have a local match requirement. Staff recommends the adoption of the proposed resolution.
DISCUSSION
Background
On October 16, 2018, City Council accepted and executed a Brownfields Coalition Community-Wide Assessment Grant agreement (“Brownfields Grant”) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As part of the Brownfields Grant, the City contracted with Stantec for the development of the City’s Brownfields Site Revitalization Program, which includes Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Remedial Action Plan, and site-specific cleanup/reuse planning to ready properties and areas for productive reuse. The Brownfields Grant has advanced environmental assessments at sites throughout the waterfront and Downtown area, providing an opportunity for the City to pursue funding for further environmental investigations and cleanups.
The City is being assisted in the grant application process by the Center for Creative Land Recycling, who has been contracted by the State to provide technical assistance to applicants. Staff will also be supported by the Brownfields Grant work undertaken by Stantec, including the many ESAs that have been completed.
Present Situation
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control estimates it will allocate $70.5 million for the first fiscal year of the ECRG Program. Funding can be pursued for community-wide assessments, environmental investigations, and environmental cleanups. The maximum award per application is $7,000,000 for environmental cleanups, while the minimum application award is $80,000.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
ECRG applications may request no less than $80,000 and no more than $7,000,000. There is no matching funds requirement and there is no impact to the City’s General Fund or any other unrestricted fund as a result of the recommended action.