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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-366SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 09 -366 RESOLUTION (CARRIED 7 -0 LOST LAID OVER WITHDRAWN ) PURPOSE: AUTHORIZE SUBMITTAL OF EPA BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT GRANT APPLICATION FOR A PETROLEUM AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE GRANT TO BE USED ON SCATTERED SITES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has funds available in the form of grants for brownfields revitalization; and WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh desires to apply for a Petroleum and Hazardous Substance Assessment Grant to be used on scattered sites throughout the community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to submit a Grant Proposal to the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain funds for said purpose. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to execute any and all documents and assurances which may be required by the Environmental Protection Agency. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if said grant funds are awarded, the proper City officials are hereby authorized and directed to accept said funds, pursuant to the terms of the grant applications, and to execute any and all documents necessary for purposes of same. a r E O.f HKO.IH ON THE WATEP TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Jackson Kinne Director of Co DATE: September 17, 2009 RE: Authorize Submittal of EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant Application for a Petroleum and Hazardous Substance Grant to be used on Scattered Sites throughout the Community BACKGROUND Council is asked to approve a Resolution to authorize submittal of a grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a $400,000 grant that would be used in two primary areas: $200,000 for Petroleum Assessment activities; and $200,000 for Hazardous Substance Assessment activities. Funds will be used to conduct assessments and testing of properties where environmental contamination may exist, and to develop remediation plans for the sites. ANALYSIS The City has been successful in receiving previous assessment grants from EPA. These grants have been extremely helpful in enabling the City to undertake evaluations of brownfield areas in the community — such as in the Marion Road/Pearl Avenue and South Shore Redevelopment Areas, as well as in other central city locations where development opportunities are impacted by suspected environmental conditions. FISCAL IMPACT The assessment grant is not only helpful in the assessment phase, but it can set the stage for the subsequent submittal of remediation grants to both EPA and State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. If these funds were not available, other financing sources would be needed to carry out the assessment activities. As noted in the attached Memorandum from AECOM, the City's environmental consultant, the City is not required to provide a cost share match as part of the Assessment Grant. RECOMMENDATION The Department is asking for the Council's approval of the grant application. Approved, 1 City Manager AECOM Environment 558 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54901 T 920.235.0270 F 920.235.0321 www.aecom.com Memorandum Date: September 16, 2009 To: Darryn Burich AECOM I cc: Darlene Brandt From: Andrew Mott Subject: EPA Assessment Grant Application Distribution: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is requesting proposals for Petroleum and Hazardous Community -wide Assessment Grants in accordance with the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. This Law expands potential federal financial assistance for Brownfield revitalization, including grants for assessment, cleanup, and job training. The City of Oshkosh (City) is currently submitting a proposal (application) for a $400,000 EPA grant funded through the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act. The grant is broken down into two sections: a $200,000 Hazardous Assessment Grant and a $200,000 Petroleum Assessment Grant. The assessment grants provide funding for developing inventories of Brownfields, prioritizing sites, conducting community involvement activities, and conducting site assessments and cleanup planning related to Brownfield sites. The City is not required to provide a cost share match as part of the Assessment Grants. The Brownfield Hazardous Assessment application would be for properties contaminated with hazardous substances and the Brownfield Petroleum Assessment applications will be for properties with possible petroleum contamination. A "community- wide" application will be prepared so that the funds can be used to assess multiple properties. However, it is anticipated the funds will be targeted for properties associated with possible redevelopment projects on the south side of the river. The City currently has an Assessment grant; however, these funds will be spent by the end of 2010. The current funds have been used to assess properties in the Marion -Pearl Redevelopment Area and to work through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) assessment and cleanup requirements for the current Oshkosh River Development, LLC. projects. The WDNR required assessment is necessary to obtain a Certification of Completion (COC) through the WDNR Voluntary Party Liability Exemption (VPLE) program, which will assist with site development. The Hazardous and Petroleum Assessment Grant application is due to the EPA by October 16, 2009. AECOM Environment — to enhance and sustain the world's built, natural and social environments EPA Assmt grant AECOM memo