STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life
AGENDA DATE: January 13, 2021
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 a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the FY2020 Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant via Cooperative Agreement (Grant No. 01F87501, CFDA No. 66.818) in the amount of $600,000.00 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, 2020 through September 30, 2023; (2) the establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 in the Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant Fund; (3) the receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $600,000.00 in the Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant Fund; (4) a contract with Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in the amount of $587,400.00 for environmental consulting services to assist the City with implementing the Brownfields Program; (5) execution of the Coalition Member Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Dallas and the Coalition Partners including The Real Estate Council Foundation, St. Philip’s School and Community Center, and Lone Star Justice Alliance; and (6) execution of the FY2020 Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement - Not to exceed $600,000.00 - 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. 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 2019, the City used a qualifications-based process to contract a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) consultant team to assist with preparing the FY2020 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 2020, the EPA selected the City of Dallas for the Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant. The City of Dallas was awarded a $600,000.00 grant for use over a three-year grant term for FY2021-23. 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. 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 combat these conditions, the City has formed a Coalition with The Real Estate Council Foundation, St. Philip’s School and Community Center, and the Lone Star Justice Alliance. These local non-profit organizations are dedicated to reducing poverty and crime, improving education, and providing better housing and social services within the community. The Coalition will leverage $600,000.00 of Assessment Coalition 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 Memorandum of Agreement with the Coalition Partners documents roles and responsibilities of each partner. The Coalition 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 each Coalition Partner 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, Coalition Partners, and the QEP. The contract for environmental consulting services is being awarded to Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. in the amount of $587,400.00. The remaining $12,600.00 from the grant is designated for supplies and training/travel.
The EPA Brownfields Assessment Coalition 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 Environment & Sustainability Committee was briefed regarding this matter on August 3, 2020.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
Brownfields Assessment Coalition Grant Fund |
$225,000.00 |
$300,000.00 |
$75,000.00 |
M/WBE INFORMATION
In accordance with the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Policy adopted on September 23, 2020, by Resolution No. 20-1430, as amended, the M/WBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Procurement Category |
M/WBE Goal |
M/WBE % |
M/WBE $ |
|
$587,400.00 |
Other Services |
23.80%* |
24.24% |
$142,400.00 |
|
• *This item reflects previous Business Inclusion and Development Policy M/WBE goal. |
|
• This contract exceeds the M/WBE goal. |
|
• Stantec Consulting Services Inc. - Local; Workforce - 80.00% Local |
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 FY2021-23, in an amount not to exceed $587,400.00.
OWNER
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
Gord Johnston, President