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02/01/1999BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 1, 1999 Present: Gary Gray Chair Stephen Fowler Vice-Chair Amy Lovett Board Member Thomas Noble Board Member Willa Carson Board Member (arrived 4:20 p.m.) Renu Khator Board Member Brian Flaherty Board Member Also Present: Tom Ward USF (University of South Florida) Student Fred Rogers PTEC (Pinellas Technical Education Center) Bill Coleman Career Options Barbara Kleinhense Career Options Donald Rutledge Career Options Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Miles Ballogg Brownfields Coordinator Juan Butler Information Technology Technician Brenda Moses Board Reporter Absent: Mary Miller Board Member Robert Washington Board Member (resigned) To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEMS 1 - 3 The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. at Ross Norton Park, followed by meditation and the Pledge of Allegiance. ITEM 4 Introductions Brownfield Coordinator Miles Ballogg introduced the guest speakers. ITEM 5 - Minutes of Previous Meetings Member Miller moved to approve the minutes of December 7, 1998, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM 6 - Staff Reports Provided by Miles Ballogg, Clearwater Brownfields Coordinator a) Brownfields Redevelopment Act Brownfields Coordinator Miles Ballogg encouraged members to attend a community forum scheduled for February 4, 1999. Member packets included Brownfields Act legislation. b) FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) 1998 Annual Report Mr. Ballogg said Clearwater’s receipt of $200,000 from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is not reflected in FDEP’s Annual Report. c) Staff Quarterly Report Mr. Ballogg said the Brownfields Redevelopment Work Plan Quarterly Report covers July 1, 1998 - September 30, 1998. In response to a question, he said development of the downtown pond is proceeding. The City has signed a real estate contract with a due diligence clause to inspect the property. A Brownfields site rehabilitation agreement will be required if contamination is found. The TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) will review the project and forward recommendations to this board. Environmental assessments are underway. The City also has an option on Cleveland Street parcels. d) TAC Report Mr. Ballogg said Engineering Tom Miller, Assistant Director of Engineering PD & E, could not attend today. The TAC is evaluating committee goals and objectives but has not elected officers yet. The TAC has requested a joint meeting with this board in March. e) Presentation and Press Mr. Ballogg noted local newspaper articles regarding Greenwood and City projects reference clean-up and job training programs. A consultant’s magazine lists 36 available properties in the City. Mr. Ballogg said the City is looking for assistance to improve public participation by community groups for the Environmental Justice Plan. ITEM 7 - Action Items a) Approval - Next Meeting Time, Date, Location The joint meeting of the TAC and Brownfields Advisory Board meeting is scheduled on March 4, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. at Ross Norton Park. ITEM 8 - Other Business a) Environmental Justice Strategy Plan Update Community Meeting - February 4, 1999, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ross Norton Recreation Center Mr. Ballogg encouraged board members to attend. Member Khator said many groups will attend, presenting strategies, goals, information, and brainstorming sessions. She urged strong community participation. Letters have been mailed to community organizations, businesses, and churches. The Chair noted Member Washington has moved out of the area and his position on the board needs to be replaced. He encouraged members to suggest a replacement. Mr. Ballogg said another TAC member is needed. b) Presentation - GIS - Juan Butler, Information Technology Information Technology Technician Juan Butler reviewed the Clearwater Brownfields area and Enterprise zones. The GIS (Geographic Information System) is posted on the City’s web site. Information available for view or print on any selected property will assist users in analyzing area properties, including property values, population density, traffic counts, and land uses. Packets are available for developers. Available information can be layered to show projects and stages of development. In response to a question, Mr. Butler said no health impact information is available, however, if any organizations provide it, he can incorporate it into the database. He encouraged members to submit suggestions regarding information to include in the City’s web site. c) Presentation - Environmental Technician Training, PTEC and Career Options of Pinellas County, Donald Rutledge and Fred Rogers Fred Rogers, PTEC (Pinellas Technical Education Center), distributed an outline for an Environmental Technician training course at PTEC’s Clearwater Campus. Career Options is responsible for program recruitment. The first class begins March 1, 1999. At the end of the first training program, he said PTEC will review success rates and evaluate the program. Donald Rutledge, Career Options, reviewed Career Options’ role. The recruitment goal per class is 15; 12 people have responded. Objectives include: 1) conducting at least 5 monthly activities during the project’s first year, and 3 activities per month during the second year to market the project to potential training participants and employers; 2) providing 50 Brownfields area residents with training as Environmental Technicians between September 1, 1998, and August 31, 2000; 3) maintaining an 80% placement rate for graduates throughout the project period; and 4) following up on all placed graduates for at least 180 days after placement in an environmental field job. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, a ninth grade reading level capability, a clean driving record, and a valid Florida driver’s license. Mr. Rutledge said Career Options has recruited at schools, churches and other organizations. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said the VA (Veterans Administration) is not as enthusiastic about this program as originally thought. The VA is concerned about environmental impacts on those who were exposed to Agent Orange. No program stipends for participants currently are available. ITEM 9 - Public Comment Period - None. ITEM 10 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.