HomeMy WebLinkAbout08. 13-168
APRIL 9, 2013 13-168 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED __6-0____ LOST _______ LAID OVER _______WITHDRAWN_______)
PURPOSE: AUTHORIZE THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR
WISCONSIN PLANT RECOVERY INITIATIVE ASSESSMENT
MONEY (WAM) CONTRACTOR SERVICES AWARD FOR
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 1118 SOUTH MAIN STREET
(FORMER BUCKSTAFF PROPERTY)
INITATED BY: CITY ADMINISTRATION
WHEREAS, the City of Oshkosh recognizes that the environmental assessment
of brownfields is an important part of protecting Wisconsin’s resources; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has created
the Wisconsin Plant Recovery Initiative (WPRI) to help communities and businesses
expedite the cleanup and revitalization of industrial or commercial facilities that have
closed; and
WHEREAS, the DNR has made available WPRI Assessment Money (WAM)
awards to local governments to provide for Phase I and Phase II environmental testing
and limited site investigations of eligible sites; and
WHEREAS, the City and DNR have identified the property at 1118 South Main
Street (the Former Buckstaff property), the “Property”, as an eligible site under the WAM
program; and
WHEREAS, previous environmental assessments of the property did not
adequately address all aspects of the Property and the current, inadequate
characterization of the Property is hindering further acquisition and redevelopment of
the Property; and
WHEREAS, the Property is functionally abandoned and is a blight and risk to the
health and welfare of the City of Oshkosh and its residents; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council for the City of
Oshkosh that the City of Oshkosh hereby request services and assistance available
from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources under the WAM Contractor
Services Award Program and will comply with all state and federal rules for the
program.
APRIL 9, 2013 13-168 RESOLUTION
CONT'D
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City Manager Mark A. Rohloff and/or City
Attorney Lynn A. Lorenson are hereby authorized and directed to act on behalf of the
City of Oshkosh to submit an application to the State of Wisconsin for Contractor
Services under the WAM program, and are further authorized and directed, if an award
is made to the City, to accept such funds, sign documents and take all necessary action
to comply with the award.
CITY HALL
215 Church Avenue
P.O.Box 1130
Oshkosh,Wisconsin
903-1130 City of Oshkosh
OJHKOJH
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Lynn A. Lorenson, City Attorney
DATE: April 4, 2013
RE: Resolution to Authorize the Submittal of an Application for Wisconsin Plant
Recovery Initiative Assessment Money (WAM) Contractor Service Award
for Property located at 1118 S. Main Street (Former Buckstaff Property)
BACKGROUND
In March 2011 Oshkosh Furniture, LLC, operating the former Buckstaff furniture factory
located at 1118 South Main Street, closed its doors. The property was foreclosed upon
by Citizens Bank and the business assets and some fixtures on the property were sold.
Although the Bank purchased the property at the Sheriffs sale, they have now "walked
away" from the property which through neglect and removal of portions of the buildings
and fixtures has become a nuisance.
In addition to the City's concerns pertaining to the property located at 1118 South Main
Street, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are also evaluating the property. The City has
worked with the WDNR on a number of redevelopment projects in the City and the
WDNR has identified the property located at 1118 South Main Street as a property that
may be eligible for assistance through a new program that WDNR has created, the
Wisconsin Plant Recovery Initiative.
ANALYSIS
The Wisconsin Plant Recovery Initiative was created in 2012 to help communities and
businesses expedite the cleanup and revitalization of industrial and commercial facilities
that have closed. Through that program, the WDNR has made available assessment
awards to local governments to provide for Phase I and Phase II environmental testing
and limited site investigations of eligible sites.
The property located at 1118 South Main Street has been operated as a casket and
furniture manufacturing facility beginning in the late 1800's and continuing through its
closing in early 2011. Because of the nature of the operations conducted at this site, it
is anticipated that hazardous materials in the forms of paint, VOCs, petroleum derived
products and other petroleum for heating oil and fuel were present on the site. In
addition, there is the potential for asbestos materials, lead paint, and other materials to
be found due to the long history of the site. While there has been some limited
investigation of the property, it is believed that Redevelopment of the site will require a
complete Phase I and Phase II assessment of the property to enable the WDNR, the
owners, and the City to determine what additional environmental actions may be
necessary on the property and explore options for redevelopment of the property.
FISCAL IMPACT
No direct financial impact is anticipated. If the City's application is successful, the
WDNR will conduct the Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments of the
property located at 1118 South Main Street at no cost to the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved:
•
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Lynn A. Lorenson Mark A. Rohloff
City Attorney City Manager