STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Environmental & Sustainability
AGENDA DATE: November 8, 2023
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize (1) the application for and acceptance of grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the FY2023 Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant Cooperative Agreement (Grant No. BF02F40301, Assistance Listing No. 66.818) in the amount of $500,000.00 to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct cleanup planning and community involvement related activities for brownfield sites primarily in the South Dallas/Fair Park area for the period October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2027; (2) the establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 in the Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant Fund; (3) the receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $500,000.00 in the Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant Fund; (4) a contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in the amount of $483,800.00 for environmental consulting services to assist the City with implementing the Brownfields Program; and (5) execution of the FY2023 Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment grant agreement and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Not to exceed $500,000.00 - Financing: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant Funds
Body
BACKGROUND
A brownfield is a property, that may have its expansion, redevelopment, or reuse complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.
In 2023, the City used a qualifications-based process to contract a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) consultant team to assist with preparing the FY2023 Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant application and to support grant implementation activities if the City was awarded the EPA grant. Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. was the vendor selected to provide these services.
In May 2023, the EPA selected the City of Dallas for the Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant. The City of Dallas was awarded a $500,000.00 grant for use over a four-year grant term for fiscal year (FY) 2023-27. While the grant funds are available for use throughout the City, funds will primarily focus on revitalizing priority brownfield sites in the South Dallas/Fair Park target area that includes the historic 277-acre Fair Park campus and is bounded by Interstate Highway 30 to the north, the Trinity River to the west and the Great Trinity Forest to the south and east. Three priority focus areas have been identified within the target area: Fair Park focus area, Martin Luther King Corridor focus area, and the St. Philip’s focus area, Jefferies Meyers, and Joppee within the geographic boundary. Generational poverty and welfare issues, including crime and lack of affordable housing make it extremely difficult to attain higher education and secure better employment. To help combat these conditions, the City secured a 2020 EPA Assessment Coalition Grant in partnership with three South Dallas/Fair Park non-profits dedicated to reducing poverty and crime, improving education, and providing better housing and social services. While the project has been extremely successful, exceeding the goals and objectives and concluding nearly one year ahead of schedule, there are substantial additional assessment and cleanup planning needs within the target area.
The City will leverage $500,000.00 of the Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant funding with proven strategies to engage stakeholders in a dynamic process that is inclusive of the greater interests of the community to revitalize priority brownfields that will help address the socioeconomic challenges facing the community. The City will use a collective governance structure to ensure the interests of each are represented throughout the project. A Brownfield Advisory Committee has also been established that includes Community representatives and other project partners that will guide the site prioritization process, inform cleanup/reuse planning, and assist with community engagement.
The City will manage all aspects of the project, including coordination with EPA, and the QEP. The contract for environmental consulting services is being awarded to Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in the amount of $483,800.00. The remaining $16,200.00 from the grant is designated for supplies and training/travel.
The EPA Brownfields Community-Wide Assessment Grant will significantly benefit the City of Dallas by enhancing the local economy, increasing the tax base and improving the environment.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Parks, Trails, and the Environment Committee was briefed on the “Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability Brownfields Redevelopment Program” on October 2, 2023.
Information about this item will be provided to the Parks, Trails, and the Environment Committee on November 7, 2023.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2024 |
FY 2025 |
Future Years |
|
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant Funds |
$100,000.00 |
325,000.00 |
$75,000.00 |
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. was selected through a competitive Request for Qualifications process to assist the City with implementing the Brownfields Program in accordance with the Cooperative Agreement with EPA for FY 2023-27, in an amount not to exceed $483,800.00.
OWNER
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Gord Johnston, President