City Manager’s Office
Reference: US EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Aaron Herrera, Business Development Project Manager
Date Prepared: November 28, 2023
PURPOSE:
Requesting City Council’s approval of the procurement of 23-008309 by awarding a contract to Ayres Associates, Inc, deemed the most responsive and responsible bidder of the five bids received in response to the published solicitation, and approving the resolution giving the City Manager, or designee, authority to sign the contract. Per City Code Section 3-8-30(b): “All materials, services, and construction contracts, except as otherwise provided in this Article, with an estimated cost greater than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000.00), shall be awarded through the formal solicitation procedure or the formal RFP process by the City Council. After due notice inviting bids, purchase orders and contracts shall be awarded to the lowest, responsive and responsible bidder.”
STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS:
● Strong Local Employment Opportunities
● Recognizable and Well-Planned Community
● Innovative, Data-Driven, Results-Focused Government
● Financially Responsible
● Strong Regional Relationships and Partnerships
● Sustainability
BACKGROUND:
City staff applied for the US EPA Brownfield Assessment grant in late November 2022 and were subsequently notified that our application was successful the in spring of 2023. Since then, staff has completed a work plan, budget, and solicited an RFQP to select a qualified environmental professional services firm to complete the tasks outlined in our EPA approved work plan.
The purpose of this Grant is to assess environmental conditions of public and/or private properties located within the City of Brighton. Assessment Grants provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, conduct a range of planning activities, develop site specific cleanup and redevelopment plans, and conduct community involvement related to brownfield sites. According to the US EPA, “A brownfield is a property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” Community-Wide Assessment Grants are capped at a maximum of $500,000 for use over a four-year grant period with no match required or anticipated.
Property owners anywhere within the city would have the ability to seek funding from the Grant award for the aforementioned activities. Staff are focusing on the Main Street corridor. A catalyst project in this area could be the “Cannery” site at 238 N Main Street. A major goal of the Grant is to help get underutilized properties back to a state where they are contributing to the City’s economy and tax rolls (revitalization).
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is recommending approval of the attached resolution.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION:
Approve, amend, or deny the proposed resolution.
ATTACHMENTS:
● Work Plan
● Presentation