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11/22/1999BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY BOARD and ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD JOINT MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 22, 1999 Present: Brian Flaherty Brownfields Advisory Board Chair Stephen Fowler Brownfields Advisory Board Vice-Chair Renu Khator Brownfields Advisory Board Member Gary Gray Brownfields Advisory Board Member Thomas Noble Brownfields Advisory Board Member William Sherman Brownfields Advisory Board Member Alan Smith Environmental Advisory Board Vice-Chair David Rhame Environmental Advisory Board Member Freda Drake Environmental Advisory Board Member -arrived 6:17 p.m. Absent: Mary Miller Brownfields Advisory Board Member Willa Carson Brownfields Advisory Board Member Dennis Kellenberger Environmental Advisory Board Member Allan Stowell Environmental Advisory Board Member Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Miles Ballogg Brownfields Coordinator Tom Miller Assistant Director of Public Works PD&E Alicia Reed Brownfields TAC Chair Mike Flannery Brownfields TAC Member Angele White International City/County Manager’s Association Lori Hernandez University of South Florida Student Brenda Moses Board Reporter The BAB (Brownfields Advisory Board) Chair called the BAB meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center, followed by meditation and the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM 4 – Introductions ITEM 5 – Action Items A. Approval of Minutes Member Gray moved to approve the minutes of September 27, 1999, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. B. Approval of Mr. Steve P. Howarth, PE, to serve as a Technical Advisory Committee Member (Technical Category) Member Fowler moved to accept Steve P. Howarth as a member of the TAC (Technical Advisory Committee). The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. C. Recommendation to the City Commission to approve the City of Clearwater Brownfields Area Environmental Justice Action Agenda Presentation by: Angele White – ICMA (International City/County Managers Association); Richard Gragg, Ph.D., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and Renu Khator, Ph. D., University of South Florida. Angele White, ICMA, said the Brownfields Area Environmental Justice Plan is the first one nationally to address Brownfields sites in minority and low-income communities and has been recommended to serve as a national model. Superfund regulations limit funding to research, not training. By working with the City and community, the ICMA obtained more relative input than available through the Superfund program. It was recommended approval of the plan be continued until all BAB members have reviewed it. Richard Gragg, Ph.D., Florida A&M (Agricultural and Mechanical) University, reported Executive Order 12898 requires all Federal executive branches to integrate environmental justice strategies into all agency activities. Environmental justice addresses the disproportionate nationwide impact of environmental hazards on low-income and minority populations and the resulting affects on economic, social, and health conditions. ICMA and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) have several related programs. Florida Statute Chapter 376 links Brownfields redevelopment with environmental equity and justice. In 1998, the Florida legislature established the Environmental Justice Center at FAMU. Mr. Gragg said the Environmental Justice Action Agenda was produced by North and South Greenwood residents, City staff, and the Research Team, who had collected data through community forums, discussions with City officials, a written survey, and community brainstorming sessions. The agenda includes action items and strategies for implementation. Top recommendations regarding environmental justice issues in the Brownfields area are: 1) enhance awareness of Brownfields program; 2) improve neighborhood access to information; 3) ensure neighborhood participation in decision-making; 4) develop the economic base; and 5) create a healthy and safe environment. The action agenda incorporates community, local government, and university comments and describes an ongoing process to address environmental justice for the Brownfields area and provide fair and equal environmental protection to all Clearwater residents. Time frames and benchmarks must be established. The agenda does not address funding requirements. The Action Agenda Team envisions support from State and Federal sources. In response to a question, Mr. Gragg said the agenda addresses stakeholder recommendations to enhance community awareness of Brownfields through: 1) coordinate with City neighborhood teams to assist with community participation; 2) increase business awareness of Brownfields incentives; 3) design/implement educational programs, modules, and forums; 4) develop a related public information campaign; and 5) assist the community in establishing and publishing a Brownfields newsletter, etc. It was suggested broadcasting BAB meetings would educate the public. It was requested that staff post the Action Agenda on the City’s web site. The agenda is posted on USF’s (University of South Florida). Concern was expressed specific reference to economic revitalization efforts in the North and South Greenwood areas rather than the entire Brownfields area limits awareness of the entire program. Mr. Gragg said residents from those two neighborhoods had attended the community meetings. Suggestions are welcome. The document can be revised. One resident spoke in support of retaining designation of the North and South Greenwood neighborhoods. It was suggested the BAB should address the entire Brownfields area in addition to North and South Greenwood. In response to a question, Brownfields Coordinator Miles Ballogg said if the Commission approves the environmental justice action agenda, strategies will be developed, and staff will look for funding sources. The strategy must be developed before funds can be requested. BAB Member Gray moved to approve the Environmental Justice Action Agenda, subject to Mr. Ballogg speaking to each board member who has not seen the document. Discussion ensued regarding board member review of the document. Member Gray withdrew his motion. It was requested that all comments and suggestions related to the Environmental Justice Action Agenda be submitted to staff before January 1, 2000. C. Recognition of EAB (Environmental Advisory Board) as primary board for Stevenson’s Creek Watershed Management Plan It was reported on September 27, 1999, the BAB had recognized the EAB as the primary board for the Stevenson’s Creek Watershed Management Plan. ITEM 6 – Staff Reports Mr. Ballogg was congratulated for being awarded Clearwater’ s October Employee of the Month. A. Status of Current Projects – 804 – 804.5 Pennsylvania Avenue (Ballogg); Greenwood Community Health Resource Center Mr. Ballogg said clean-up efforts are moving forward on community projects: 1) 804 – 804.5 Pennsylvania Avenue, and 2) Greenwood Community Health Resource Center, at Greenwood and LaSalle. B. City of Clearwater – Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund – “Clearwater Cleanup Fund” Mr. Ballogg reported the City was one of several nationally to be awarded a $500,000 Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund, to transform environmentally impaired properties to viable economic/community development projects. C. FDEP Agreement SP 530 Mr. Ballogg indicated Senator Latvala had helped establish FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) agreement, SP 530, providing an additional appropriation for Brownfields redevelopment in Clearwater. As projects are completed, it is important to identify new community and economic development projects. D. Technical Advisory Committee – Update (Tom Miller) Assistant Director of Public Works Tom Miller said minor contamination was found at 1108 N. Greenwood and 804-804.5 Pennsylvania Avenue. Upon Commission approval to proceed with clean-up, staff will work with the State to resolve the contamination. E. Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement for 1108 N. Greenwood Mr. Ballogg said the TAC and BAB had approved a BSRA (Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement) for 1108 N. Greenwood Avenue. Additional information has been distributed. The Commission will consider approval of the BSRA in December. The agreement provides the City with liability protection from the clean up firm. Once the agreement becomes effective, tax credit funds are available. ITEM 7 – Other Business The next BAB meeting is scheduled for February 21, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., in a location to be determined. ITEM 8 – Public Comment Period See Items 5 and 14. ITEM 9 - Adjournment The BAB meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m. ITEM 10 – Environmental Advisory Board Meeting The EAB Vice-Chair called the EAB meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. A. Administration 2. Nomination and approve selection of officers Member Rhame nominated Member Freda Drake as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Rhame nominated Alan Smith as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. Chair accept BAB recognition for EAB Stevenson’s Creek Watershed lead Continued to January 19, 2000. 4. Chair recognize Member Rhame as Stevenson’s Creek liaison for Environmental Justice Continued to January 19, 2000. ITEM 11 - Commission Liaison Report (D. Rhame) Continued to January 19, 2000. ITEM 12 - City Correspondence 1. Letters of appreciation to Tampa Bay Water Continued to January 19, 2000. ITEM 13 - Monthly Site Plan Assessment Review Summary Continued to January 19, 2000. ITEM 14 - Confirm Agenda 1. Old Business a. Watershed Planning Process (T. Miller) AND b. Stevenson’s Creek (T. Miller) Mr. Miller said the City has worked on Stevenson’s Creek issues for some time. The Environmental Justice Plan and Brownfields program have provided opportunities to resolve long-standing problems. He reviewed related issues and proposed strategies: 1) grant EAB responsibility for all issues related to Stevenson’s Creek; 2) establish strong links between the EAB and BAB; 3) implement the Watershed Management Plan; and 4) involve the affected community in the decision-making process. Mr. Miller said the Stevenson’s Creek watershed is between Belleair Road, Main Street, Fort Harrison Avenue, and Keene Road. The Brownfields area is between Belleair Road, Alternative US19, and Stevenson’s Creek. Watershed planning objectives include flood protection, erosion control, water quality, and natural resource protection and enhancement. At public meetings, residents have expressed concerns regarding flooding, water quality, maintenance problems, etc. Mr. Miller reviewed the watershed plan funding schedule. It was stated the Healthy Beach program provides good information on health effects. In response to a question, Mr. Miller said public education regarding herbicides, mosquito control, snakes, alligators, rats, poisons, proper landscaping, etc. are good housekeeping mechanisms for the health of Stevenson’s Creek. A resident said he shares information from public meetings with the North Greenwood Association and associated organizations. He expressed concern regarding the large rat population around Stevenson’s Creek and recommended the cleaning schedule be improved. He suggested utility bill stuffers distribute information quarterly regarding BAB, EAB, and other City activities and projects. 2. New Business – None. ITEM 15 – Citizens Agenda Continued to January 19, 2000. ITEM 16 – Establish January 19, 2000 Meeting ITEM 17 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.