Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for and Accept, if Awarded, FY 2014 Brownfields Assessment Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary
MEETING DATE: January 7, 2014
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Corey Young, Planner I
Jennifer Arnold, Planning Manager
Janay Tieken, Housing and Community Development Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Staff is requesting authorization to apply for and accept, if awarded, FY 2014 Brownfield Assessment Grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Proposals are due January 22, 2014.
• City Staff is preparing the proposal package and, if selected, the City of McKinney may be awarded up to $400,000 in brownfield assessment grant funding. No local match is required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• A brownfield site is defined as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, controlled substances, or petroleum or petroleum products.
• In 2002, the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act was signed into law. Under this law, EPA provides financial assistance to eligible applicants through four competitive grant programs: (1) assessment grants, (2) revolving loan fund grants, (3) cleanup grants, and (4) job training grants.
• Assessment grants provide funding to develop inventories of brownfields, prioritize sites, conduct community involvement activities, and conduct site assessments and cleanup planning related to brownfield sites.
• Assessment grant funds may not be used to conduct cleanups.
• Under the FY 2010 Call for Proposals, the City of McKinney was awarded $400,000 in brownfields assessment grant funding. With this funding, City Staff has established and operated the McKinney Brownfields Program which has facilitated 20 environmental site assessments, including the McKinney Community Development Corporation (MCDC) public parking lot located adjacent to the historic Flour Mill, McKinney Housing Authority properties, and the future WinCo grocery site.
• The FY 2010 Program Cycle will expire in September 2014 and the McKinney Brownfields Program has utilized approximately 90 percent of the approved funding available through the FY 2010 cycle.
• Re-application through the FY 2014 Program Cycle, will allow the City of McKinney the opportunity to continue operating the Brownfields Program and continue our efforts revitalize and reinvest in the historic Town Center.
• The target area of the McKinney Brownfields Program generally covers the area of the Town Center that has historically been used for industrial and commercial uses (e.g. McDonald Street corridor; areas east of McDonald Street; Tennessee/Kentucky Street corridor, etc.).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• No local match is required.
• If awarded, the grant will be budgeted in FY 2015.