Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with H.W. Lochner Inc., BWR Division for Environmental Site Assessment Services and Associated Support for Brownfields Grant Administration
Summary
MEETING DATE: March 1, 2011 - Regular Meeting
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning
CONTACT: Kevin Spath, AICP, Assistant Director of Planning
Craig Sykora, AICP Planner
Janay Tieken, Grants Administrator
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The Resolution authorizes the City Manager to enter into a contract with H.W. Lochner Inc., BWR Division for environmental site assessment services and associated support for brownfields grant administration.
• For FY 2011-2013 (October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2013), the City of McKinney has been awarded two (2) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Assessment Grants totaling $400,000 ($200,000 for hazardous substances contamination and $200,000 for petroleum contamination). No local match is required.
• During the first quarter of FY 2011, Staff prepared and released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Sixteen (16) firms submitted responses to the RFQ. A Selection Committee comprised of several Development Services staff members was used to evaluate the responses, conduct interviews, and select H.W. Lochner Inc., BWR Division as the service provider.
• H.W. Lochner Inc., BWR Division will provide the following services:
1. Provide assistance and support with community education and stakeholder outreach.
2. Conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessments on selected properties (hazardous substance sites and petroleum sites) and coordinate assessment activities with regulatory requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and EPA.
3. Conduct Phase II Environmental Site Assessments on selected properties (hazardous substance sites and petroleum sites) and coordinate assessment activities with regulatory requirements of the TCEQ and EPA.
4. Provide assistance and support with identifying clean-up options and costs and initiating the development of clean-up plans.
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 (states, cities, etc.) 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 for developing inventories of brownfields, prioritizing sites, conducting community involvement activities, and conducting site assessments and cleanup planning related to brownfield sites.
• Assessment grant funds may not be used to conduct cleanups.
• The City of McKinney is using the grant funds to develop an inventory of brownfields sites in the historic Town Center area, support community outreach and education activities, and conduct as many environmental site assessments as possible.
• As part of Phase 2 of the Town Center Study Initiative, assessment of brownfields will enable the City of McKinney to coordinate with private property owners to create specific redevelopment and revitalization strategies to achieve the master plan established in Phase 1.
• The target area generally covers the area of the historic Town Center that has historically been used for industrial and commercial uses (e.g. the downtown core; McDonald Street corridor; areas east of McDonald Street; Tennessee/Kentucky Street corridor, etc.).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• The contract amount between the City and H.W. Lochner Inc., BWR Division is not to exceed $386,000.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A