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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 09/19/2000 - ITEMS RELATING TO A BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT PILOT P AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 22 A-13 FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL DATE: September 19, 2000 STAFF: Tom Shoemaker SUBJECT: Items Relating to a Brownfields Assessment Pilot Project for the Downtown River Corridor. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution and the Ordinance on First Reading. FINANCIAL IMPACT: These actions will enable the City of Fort Collins to accept a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grant does not impose any additional financial obligations on the City. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A. Resolution 2000-114 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Assessment Pilot Program in the Downtown River Corridor. B. First Reading of Ordinance No. 129, 2000, Appropriating Unanticipated Grant Revenue in the General Fund for a Brownfields Assessment Pilot Program in the Downtown River Corridor. BACKGROUND: The Brownfields Pilot Program is sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to "empower States, communities, tribes, and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together in a timely manner to prevent, assess, safely cleanup, and promote the sustainable use of brownfields." EPA defines brownfields as "abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination" DATE: September 19, 2000 2 22 A-B ITEM NUMBER: In February of this year, the City submitted an application to the EPA for grant funding to complete a brownfields pilot assessment in the Downtown River Corridor. The application was based on findings from the Downtown River Corridor Implementation project that concerns about the potential for environmental contamination are an impediment to revitalization of the downtown river corridor, both in terms of cleanup and enhancement of the river corridor itself and in terms of redevelopment of adjacent properties. The Downtown River Corridor Implementation Program, adopted by Council in Resolution 2000-95 (July 18, 2000), identified a top priority project to complete environmental assessments throughout the river corridor area to determine the extent of contamination concerns and the necessary level of cleanup to meet the community's goals. The EPA has awarded the City of Fort Collins the maximum grant of $250,000 to begin the process of assessing the contamination concerns in the Downtown River Corridor. The overall goal of the 2-year grant is to "remove the environmental and psychological barriers discouraging revitalization" of the Downtown River Corridor. The City will use the funds to work cooperatively with Corridor property owners to characterize and address environmental site conditions throughout the Corridor, specifically to: • complete a corridor-wide Phase I assessment; • determine site needs based on Phase I findings and design and implement Phase 11 assessments; • obtain no further action letters, or pending closures via an approved cleanup plan on sites identified from Phase lI assessments; and • provide outreach to the community regarding the environmental concerns identified or resolved through the pilot study. This work will be completed by an interdepartmental team including Natural Resources, Advance Planning, Engineering, Utilities, Transportation Planning, Risk Management, Parks and Recreation, and the City Attorney's Office. Margit Hentschel from Natural Resources will serve as Project Manager. If Council approves the Resolution authorizing the agreement with EPA and the Appropriations Ordinance, work is expected to begin on the assessment in early October. Attachments: Scope of work from the Cooperative Agreement. RESOLUTION 2000-114 . OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR A BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT PILOT PROGRAM IN THE DOWNTOWN RIVER CORRIDOR WHEREAS, Council adopted Resolution 2000-95 on July 18, 2000, approving the Downtown River Corridor Implementation Program; and WHEREAS, the Downtown River Corridor Implementation Program identified as a top priority project the completion of environmental assessments throughout the river corridor area to determine the extent of contamination concerns and the necessary level of cleanup to meet the community's goals; and WHEREAS,the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)sponsors aBrownfields Pilot Program to empower communities and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and promote the sustainable use of brownfields; and WHEREAS,the EPA defines brownfields as abandoned,idled,or under-used industrial and • commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination; and WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins submitted an application to the EPA and has been awarded a grant in the amount of $250,000 from the EPA to begin the process of assessing the contamination concerns in the Downtown River Corridor; and WHEREAS, the overall goal of the two-year program is to remove the environmental and psychological barriers discouraging revitalization of the Downtown River Corridor; and WHEREAS, this work will be completed by an interdepartmental team including Natural Resources, Advance Planning,Engineering,Utilities,Transportation Planning,Risk Management, Parks and Recreation, and the City Attorney's Office; and WHEREAS,the Council is authorized to enter into intergovernmental agreements to provide any function, service or facility, pursuant to Article 11, Section 16 of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins and Section 29-1-203, C.R.S. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that the City Manager be, and hereby is, authorized to enter into the Cooperative Agreement with EPA for Brownfields Assessment Pilot BP 988300-01-0(the"Agreement"),which Agreement is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and available for inspection,together with such • amendments or modifications in form or substance as the City Manager,in consultation with the City Attorney,may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of said Agreement and protect the interest of the City. Passed and adopted at regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 19th day of September, A.D. 2000. Mayor Pro Tem ATTEST: City Clerk City Of Fort Collins Cooperative Agreement Application forthe Downtown Poudre River Corridor Implementation Program; An EPA Region VIII Brownfields Pilot Grant This cooperative agreement provides the City of Fort Collins (the City) with $250,000 for implementation of the Downtown Poudre River Corridor Brownfields Investigation (the Corridor),including the Greenspace portion of the grant. The proposed project is designed to remove the environmental and psychological barriers discouraging revitalization of this area. Overall, funding will be used for environmental restoration planning and site investigations. The outcome of these investigations will assist the City and the community in their efforts to create a vibrant mix of public and private uses to restore wildlife habitats, to preserve historic structures, and to provide cultural and recreational opportunities in the area. The ultimate measure of success is the number of sites and cumulative acreage that has been renovated,redeveloped, or recovered as open space and public-use lands. Included in this agreement are: (1) a project narrative statement, (2) a project description, (3) a proposed scope of work and preliminary estimates of the associated costs, (4) EPA's required application documents and other related attachments, and (5) the City's original proposal. • PROJECT NARRATIVE STATEMENT The City submitted a proposal to EPA Region VIII for funding under the Brownfields Pilot grant. The overall project strategy is to work cooperatively with Corridor property owners to characterize and address environmental site conditions in the Corridor. Brownfields pilot monies will be used to conduct a Corridor-wide Phase I site assessment, identify target sites and implementing Phase II site assessments, and obtain closures for specific sites via a"no further action letter", or develop cleanup plans in cooperation with the Colorado Voluntary Cleanup Program. In summary, the primary goals in the implementation strategy of this project include: (1) Complete Corridor-wide Phase I assessments; (2) Determine site needs based on Phase I findings and design and implement Phase II assessments; (3) Obtain no further action letters, or pending closures via an approved cleanup plan, from Colorado Voluntary Cleanup Program on sites identified from Phase II's; (4) Measure progress in the community on reducing psychological and other barriers to redevelopment. 1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Fort Collins' Brownfields Pilot project area is comprised of the 352 acre Downtown River Corridor. The Corridor encompasses the City's original fort site, the Cache la Poudre natural river habitat and historical industrial and rail related uses. Cleanup and redevelopment of this area will provide significant environmental, economic, and social benefits for the community. In 1996, the Cache la Poudre was designated a"national river corridor"by the US Congress for its historical value and intrinsic beauty. A major feature and source of pride for the City, the river provides agricultural and recreational benefits to our community. The river runs directly through the proposed study site, which contains approximately 120 separate parcels and 65 landowners. The City owns nearly a third of the land area (107 acres) within the Corridor boundaries. Unfortunately, historical land uses have degraded much of the land within the Corridor. Historic uses included railroads, the Poudre Valley Manufactured Coal Gasification Plant, former Dreher Pickle Plant, Great Western Sugar Factory,Ranchway Feed Mills, Anderson Implement & Coal Company, Valley Veterinary Supply and the Fort Collins Light and Power Plant. While restoration has occurred at several of these sites, there are many properties that have not been investigated for environmental problems. EPA Brownfields monies will be used to remove the environmental stigma held by the community and enable the capital investment needed to preserve and restore properties of historic significance. Current land use includes an array of commercial, industrial, rail and roadways, and open space and trails. There has been a limited amount of newer development in the area, primarily the New Belgium Brewery on the north side of the river. There are also residences scattered throughout the Corridor and residential and commercial uses are not clearly separated. The City is working with this predominately Hispanic, lower income population, in its efforts to revitalize the area. A variety of community service agencies are also located within the study site: the Education and Life Training Center,The Mission and the Open Door Mission. Finally, there is a City Community Youth Center located over an old landfill in the Corridor. There is significant support from the community to conduct the necessary environmental investigations within the study area. The City is interested in working with the landowners and the community to reclaim open space and restore economic vitality to the Corridor. The overall strategy is to work cooperatively with Corridor property owners to characterize and address environmental site conditions and make the necessary improvements to restore environmental integrity within the study site. 2 SCOPE OF WORK • 1. Community Outreach/Public Involvement Develop a core project team to coordinate program elements defined in the proposal. Inform and educate property owners and other stakeholders about environmental issues and assessments that will be done or have been completed. Special outreach efforts will be undertaken to educate and provide regulatory guidance specific to private property owners that may need to undertake site-specific action. In addition, special outreach efforts will be directed to residents within the Corridor and in adjacent neighborhoods. Outreach may take the form of meetings, publications, and other techniques. 2. Environmental Site Assessment/Remediation Planning Obtain EPA approval on the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QUAPP). Perform Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of properties within the study area according to ASTM standards. Identify properties and issues for additional Phase II characterization and submit sampling and analysis plans (SAPs) for EPA approval. Conduct Phase II sampling analysis in accordance with QUAPP and SAPs. Prepare reports and recommendations for possible remediation and additional sampling. Prepare remedial design recommendations and complete clean-up planning. 3. Program Evaluation Measure the number of sites and cumulative acreage that have been restored, redeveloped, or recovered as public use lands. Interview the community and potential public and private investors regarding changes in the Corridor's perceived redevelopment potential. This interview process will form a framework to evaluate "lessons learned". 3 PROJECT SCHEDULE Task Budeet First Quarter Administrative/Outreach 4,375 Supplies 1,000 Phase I 10.000 Total 15,375 Second Quarter Administrative/Outreach 7,375 Supplies 1,000 Travel 1,000 Phase I 35,000 Phase II 20,000 Total 64,375 Third Quarter Administrative/Outreach 7,375 Phase H 20,000 Total 27,375 Fourth Quarter Administrative/Outreach 7,375 Supplies 1,000 Phase II 25,000 Remedial Design 10.000 Total 40,375 Fifth Quarter Administrative/Outreach 4,375 Travel 1,000 Phase II 25,000 Remedial Design 10.000 Total 27,375 Sixth Quarter Administrative/Outreach 7,375 Phase II 5,000 Remedial Design 10,000 Cleanup Planning 5 000 Total 27,375 Seventh Quarter Administrative/Outreach 7,375 Remedial Design 7,000 Cleanup Planning 55,000 Total 19,375 Eighth Quarter Administrative/Outreach 7,375 Cleanup Planning 5.000 Total 12,375 4 PROJECT DELIVERABLES ❖ Quarterly Progress Reports Phase I& Phase lI Reports Community/Public Involvement Documentation Property Ownership Transfers Environmental Assessment Planning& Implementation Quality Assurance Project Plan Sampling Analysis Plan Development of Land Use/Site Redevelopment Plan Remediation Planning -o Lessons Learned PROPOSED BUDGET Please see attachment reproduced from proposal. • 5 PORT COLUNS DOWNTOWN RIVER CORRIDOR BUDGL'I' EPA BrownPclds Gnmt Tasks Budget Categories Admin Phase I Please H Remedial Cleanup Community Total Design Planning Outreach Personnel $10,000 $15,000 $10,000 $35,000 ' Contractual $45,000 $55,000 $27,000 $15,000 $18,000 $160,000 Travel $500 $1,500 $2,OW Supplies $3,000 $3.00 Other $ Total $13,500 $45,000 $55,000 $27,000 $31,500 $28,000 $200,000 Fart Collins Brownf olds Pilo(Application, February 2000 Pgge 4 of 22 • 0 0 FORT COLLINS DOWNTOWN RIVER CORRIDOR GREENSPACE BUDGET EPA Brownf ields Grant Tasks Budget Pliase I Phase II Remedial Cleanup Total Categories Design Planning Personnel Contractual $40,000 $10,000 $50, Supplies Other Total $50,wo Fort Collins Rrownfields Pilot Application, Februnty 2000 Page 17 of 22 • ORDINANCE NO. 129, 2000 OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS APPROPRIATING UNANTICIPATED GRANT REVENUE IN THE GENERAL FUND FOR A BROWNFIELDS ASSESSMENT PILOT PROGRAM IN THE DOWNTOWN RIVER CORRIDOR WHEREAS,on July 18,2000,the City Council adopted Resolution 2000-95,approving the Downtown River Corridor Implementation Program; and WHEREAS, the Downtown River Corridor Implementation Program identified as a top priority project the completion of environmental assessments throughout the river corridor area to determine the extent of contamination concerns and the necessary level of cleanup to meet the community's goals; and WHEREAS, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsors the Brownfields Pilot Program to empower communities and other stakeholders in economic redevelopment to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and promote the sustainable use of brownfields; and WHEREAS,the EPA defines brownfields as abandoned,idled,or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination; and • WHEREAS, the City of Fort Collins submitted an application to the EPA and has been awarded a grant in the amount of$250,000 from the EPA to begin the process of assessing the contamination concerns in the Downtown River Corridor; and WHEREAS, the overall goal of the two-year program is to remove the environmental and psychological barriers discouraging revitalization of the Downtown River Corridor; and WHEREAS, this work will be completed by an interdepartmental team including Natural Resources, Advance Planning,Engineering,Utilities,Transportation Planning,Risk Management, Parks and Recreation, and the City Attorney's Office; and WHEREAS,Article V,Section 9,of the Charter of the City of Fort Collins permits the City Council to make supplemental appropriations by ordinance at any time during the fiscal year, provided that the total amount of such supplemental appropriations,in combination with all previous appropriations for that fiscal year,does not exceed the then current estimate of actual and anticipated revenues to be received during the fiscal year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS that there is hereby appropriated from unanticipated grant revenue in the General Fund the sum of TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($250,000) for expenditure in the General Fund for a brownfields assessment pilot program in the Downtown River Corridor. Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this 19th day of September, A.D. and to be presented for final passage on the 3rd day of October, A.D. 2000. Mayor Pro Tern ATTEST: City Clerk Passed and adopted on final reading this 3rd day of October, A.D. 2000. Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk