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10/21/1998 (2) ;) I' , , , , 'j' \, : .'",; ~. ',r , , ' ~~'c\:;;?:<~:i:~, u 2 ';" '.,~:',:~:>~~~r~;:!::;~K,::,{::':;:. , , ~t)i<' ....., ". .\ ';. ~:~. I 'J'" . < ~ :l~t'~..;. "'~ ',;' ", t ':' I~:' '. V~. I '.1. . ~. . {C';.,.,,; ':.,",.. ".' . ", ~, . ~. . ; .' ~ (:':{~, ,', -:~t\:.. .'. ~/.... ...-.. . .y.'.~ . fi:<::: .~' . ~*.,. . . ;:, '," , '"< '~:;:':~~.h' :. ,i',' . ..... ' ':.i':' '. ':r: "", : '~i~ . ; t ", ~:: '0. (,.'<(.}. -",,: ~.~.'~' '>fj , Ni;:~:<'/, '~;:,. '.', I.",', , '.' ~.:Jf:.~'.<'; <" ~ ~ .,. ~j!"l" ;/1" ~\ '>..~ --;. . ~!i:\,:',;" {:i,: ., , ~:'....,.L .I'~ _ ~':t~: . .~:" -~, :'.'. :{~:' ::', .,,:':, I~! ~ : . /~ . .;. ~. ". I" :\ : '" , , ,0 ;/..~'/~:'. :.~:~>:., ./" ,I. "'1 ' " , " '.I .: J :' ." ~ j , ., , J ".1> c. I, " . . :t', '.""' j' . :.i, '. EAB ,', ". 'i ,". ,\ ". , , Environmental Advisory Board Minutes l' ;, " .Date.. Or+ober 2r I J fqq~ ~ i ,I ',J " I , , .; i " ' '. /' L/D3 Present: Whitney Gray Alan Smith David Rhame Dennis Kellenberger Allan Stowell Chair Vice Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member " ;~ .' : . I ..~ L ~ ' r ~ > ',' ," " ." I ,'. ' C ~.. C' . + .' " ~: ~ . .... aJ~ ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER October 21, 1998 Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Tom Miller Patricia O. Sullivan Assistant City Attorney Assistant Director Engineering/PD&E Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #A - Aoproval of Minutes Member Rhame moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 20, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ' o ",;t:.,;. Member Rhame moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of August 1 9, 1998, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM liB - Commission Liaison Reoort Member Rhame said the review of the revised Land Development Code is ongoing. Commissioner Clark has reconfirmed the EAB IEnvironmental Advisory Board) will continue to exist. In response to a question, Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides said a workshop for advisory board members regarding the Land Development Code took place 2 weeks ago. Another workshop for the business community is scheduled on November 2, 1998. ITEM IIC - City Correspondence The Mayor has written letters to outgoing members. The Chair indicated, she too, had sent letters on behalf of the board thanking outgoing members for their' service to the board. ITEM nD - Monthlv Site Plan Assessment Review Summarv ,,"" ') '-......./ , , mea1098 1 10/21/98 ..l.. ~ ~ ,ft""" (~~J'~..J , '\ "-..../ Assistant Director Engineerlng/PD&E Tom Miller said the EAB has not been charged with assessing site plans for environmental considerations. Previously, the board has expressed interested in activities related to the overall health and welfare of the environment. The EAB reviews sites that receive more than 3 points or those considered significant by staff. If the City Commission needs to approve a site plan, the EAB could review the plan early enough to provide feedback to the Commission before their decision. Currently, two projects are underway: 1) Clearwater Christian College and 2} construction at the site of the former Sunshine Mall. Neither project was rated 3 points or more. In response to a question, Mr. Miller reported the City is considering purchasing the ,Wolf Family property on Stevenson's Creek, the last remnant of tidal estuary in Clearwater. The property currently is in a County enclave. The property has a considerable tree canopy and consists mostly of wetlands. Staff feels it is important to protect the property. , It was recommended such properties be added to the list which considers construction projects. It was recommended the City consider e'nvironmental issues regarding all sensitive properties. Members are to contact Mr. Miller with concerns regarding specific properties. The issue will be reviewed at the next meeting. ITEM HE - Confirm Agenda 1} Old Business a) Clearwater's Brownfields Program Environmental Specialist Supervisor Miles Ballogg reviewed the background of the Srownfields project in Clearwater. Area contamination is related to above and underground storage tank sites; former dry cleaner sites, automotive salvage yards, the manufactured gas plan, etc. The Economic Development Team is coordinating the Srownfields efforts. The Srownfields area has an estimated population of 10,000 and covers 1,100 acres, including a central business district which divides 2 economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. He hoped linkage with this project will benefit both communities. He said more contaminated sites are being discovered as research continues. Mr. Ballogg said the program was approved by the State and Federal governments. Funding received for Phase I and II, approved by the 1996 legislature, is being used for environmental assessments of market ready sites. USF (University of South Florida) is creating a redevelopment model while Career Options is identifying job training needs. The City is working with 3 banks 'to provide loan guarantees. Economic development incentives to help with impact fees are being offered to companies that meet Srownfields criteria. In 1997, Brownfields legislation included a $500,000 redevelopment grant, . economic development incentives, loan guarantees for clean up, data collection and research and criteria for the Brownfields Advisory Board. In 1998, Brownfields legislation included loan and bond guarantees, a revolving loan fund to remove liens, USF assistance, $225,000 for clean up of abandoned sites, and tax credits and bonds for Srownfields sites. Approval of an Enterprise Zone designation has been requested to provide additional tax breaks and make development more attractive. mea1098 2 10/21/98 . ~'~..:" ': . .:. . -. . f .' ,\.". roO ;. :.. \ : . , . . I ":,"!' '. .,' . ',' of '. ~ . I .' I. '1 North and South Greenwood residents have expressed concern regarding employment opportunities; Initiatives will be tied to hiring community residents. PTEC (Pinellas Technical Education Center) and the Public Works Academy at a City facility will provide training. Mr. Ballogg estimated 40 residents a year can be trained and employed. Staff also is working with the State to provide transitional employment for welfare. recipients. Incentives will encourage business to hire them on a permanent basis. Redevelopment will be linked to training and employment. He estimated the program will cover half of IMR's infrastructure costs. Staff also is applying for a HUD grant to cover child-care costs. He said FDOT may contribute also, noting the development of one-way pairs would be a prime candidate. The 8 different tax credits available should attract redevelopment. The City is looking to attract non polluting business. The City must develop a pollution prevention plan. Additional resources may come through USF, grants and other sources. A USF professor has volunteered to determine the risk assessment. A disproportionate number of contaminated sites in Clearwater, are located in low income areas. It is important that people interested in these issues become involved and that redevelopment ties together the benefits to the community, environment, and economy. The advisory board will be available to accept resident concerns. The board also will have a technical review committee to review issues and make recommendations. , I .! -, In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said to date the City has spent approximately $300,000 of more than $1-million in grants. Staff is applying for additional grants. Mr. :' Miller said source controls are important as it is less expensive to solve pollution problems at their source. The board will make recommendations to the Cltv Commission. It is important citizen groups are empowered to develop property and work toward a common goal. The project will encourage productive site reuse though the removal of real or perceived stigmas related to possible contamination. The technical review committee will focus on environmental and technical issues only, and not on social or financial concerns. The committee will review proposed sites for the most time economic use of time and financial resources. Clean-ups must be done quickly and efficiently and consider the general health, welfare, and safety of area residents. Each contaminant problem requires a different clean-up technique. The committee will result in increased environmental protections. Mr. Ballogg is responsible for Phase I and II. If Phase II is recommended after a Phase I site assessment, holes will be punched in the ground to determine the level of contamination. If the developer wants to proceed, then the project will continue to Phases III and IV, at which point the board becomes involved. Clean-up options are determined during Phase III while design and implementation occur during Phase IV. The plan must outline a pollution prevention plan. The State has developed guidelines regarding how Brownfields sites are reviewed and managed. The State also has determined how clean Is clean, which is determined by use. After risk based corrective actions are taken, the State will make the final decision if further action is necessary and will provide guidance on how best to accomplish that. At their next meeting, the City Commission will consider approval 'J mea1098 3 10/21/98 \' ;,. ,.--., u . '~c' ") """ ) -- j I \ ....,~~~~--.-....~...." c . of the committee concept and approve a list of volunteer members. In response to a question, Ms. Dougall.Sldes indicated the State Statue regarding Brownflelds makes reference to a technical committee. ' In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said it could take up to 6 years to complete all 4 phases of a project, although the average will be 3 to 4 years. While the IMR project is farthest along, many other sites are being worked on. He invited board members to participate at future Srownfields meetings which are held on the last Monday of the month at the Martin Luther King Center. The meetings are held In the neighborhood to attract business and resident participation. Ms. Dougall-Sides reminded members sunshine rules , apply when attending the same meeting. Discussion ensued regarding State and County procedures to inspect environmental problems. Rules related to underground tanks have been tightened to avoid future contamination. 2) New Business a) Hazardous Waste Program Environmental Specialist Supervisor Karma Killian made a power point presentation that earlier was shown to Solid Waste staff. It is important drivers not pickup anything with asbestos, fuel, or suspicious smelling containers. In response to a question, she said some yvorkers hand empty black barrels when they are suspicious of contaminated Items. She reviewed hazardous materials commonly found in residents' garages and sheds. Drivers are encouraged to identify the type of businesses they are servicing and related contaminates. The City if fined up to $15,000 annually as a penalty for hazardous materials it inadvertently trucks to the landfill. Ways to train the public regarding the disposal of hazardous materials are being considered. It was recommended staff track businesses that utilize hazardous materials through occupational licenses and educate them. Ms. Killian said a flyer will be included with the water bil!. In response to a question, Ms. Dougall-Sides said it is difficult to enforce this program. Staff will raise this issue with the consultant. It was recommended staff check with California communities regarding their handling of this issue. Ms. Killian reported a household chemical awareness day, planned for December, will permit residents to drop off household chemicals at the Hercules Avenue Solid Waste site. In response to a suggestion the awareness day be held once a month, Ms. Killian indicated the County is staffing this event. She estimated it would cost the City up to $60,000 to host a similar event. It was recommended labels be affixed to all, black barrels to warn residents regarding hazardous wastes and including a telephone number. It was recommended an incentive program be established to encourage Solid Waste drivers to be vigilant. It was suggested newspaper coverage of an award event would help educate the community. Consensus was for staff to investigate the incentive idea and report on their findings to the board. b) Annual Report mea 1098 4 10/21/98 t'" "no,,'.. I.~.,~ . ....>.. > \, I, ". ~)i ' 'f", >' ' .~ Copies of the EAB annual report of 1995 were distributed. No reports were issued for 1996 or 1997. The Chair will present a draft at the next meeting. Input from the board was requested so that a report can be forwarded to the City Commission In December. It was recommended the report include the project assessment sheet. c) Draft Environmental Education Partnership Program Outline ,', 1 "', The Chair distributed a draft program outline for a student environmental program. It was felt environmental education is important but is neglected locally. It was suggested the board be proactive regarding this issue. ,It was recommended prepared presentations, such as the one given by Ms. Killian, could be presented to students at a minimum cost. This program would provide an opportunity for the City to help local kids. The creation of a list of topics already developed was suggested. The list would be circulated to the school system for teachers who want a speaker on listed topic. An EAB volunteer could handle the requests and act as facilitator. This action would raise community awarenes~. I.' ~ . .. '. .. ~ " ,,.. .,:' ' . :.' It was suggested topics such as Brownfields would be of interest to science, economic, and American Government classeG. It was suggested private schools could be invited to attend planned presentations. Ms. Gray volunteered to be the facilitator. Mr. Miller will make a list of canned presentations and investigate how staff can participate. It was recommended the number of monthly presentations be limited. It was suggested the board invite a School Board member to a meeting to discuss this issue. The program could be expanded County-wide in the future. t"') ',..,p~' Member Rhame moved for staff to investigate the proposal that staff make presentations on environmental issues to public middle and high school students based on canned presentatioml. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. '\' .. ~ , ,. ',:.:' " , <.'> : ~, ITEM #F ~ Citizens Aoenda . None. ... :- :',' ~. ITEM #G - Establish November 18. 1998. AQenda :,.; The November meeting agenda will include: 1) election of new officers; 2) update new land use regulations; 3) discussion of sensitive lands list; and 41 incentive program for Solid Waste workers. " \ "'r'. ...., Adjournment ;j. The meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m. . " Chair Environmental A 1 : . , , , ~.: f .j "1 : .: " .... J; . mea1098 5 10/21/98 ~. . ,~ \ .., 01 , :"... ,. .0 .. ~: '. . : ',': 'f '.. .,' ' . t.'. ::: , ":'~: . ~ I I. '.' f . I I , I' . . """.';'~, ':'. "",:", .... .:.:,....:....:,..'..;..'.~.'..;~,:. .',.. '. ."" . . I " . ";., .' 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