04/12/1999BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY BOARD
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
April 12, 1999
Present: Alicia R. Reed Chair (arrived 4:11 p.m.)
Dr. Raymond Harbison Committee Member
Dave Gerard Committee Member
James E. Steele Committee Member (arrived 4:25 p.m.)
Willa Carson Committee Member
Arlington L. Nunn, Sr. Committee Member
Michael Flanery Committee Member
Bradley Droy Committee Member
Absent: Brad Peebles Committee Member
Also Present: Duke Tieman Resident
Lois Cormier Resident
Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney (arrived 4:11 p.m.)
Tom Miller Assistant Director of Engineering – PD&E
Miles Ballogg Economic Development Programs Manager
Karma Killian Environmental Specialist (arrived 4:35 p.m.)
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
In order to provide continuity for research, items are listed in agenda order, although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM A – Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 4:07 p.m. at the Municipal Services Building.
ITEM B – Approve Minutes
Member Carson moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 8, 1999, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
ITEM C – The Risk Assessment Methodology (Dr. Raymond Harbison)
Raymond Harbison presented information on risk assessment methodology. Brownfields development permits flexibility in risk assessment methodology. He noted concerns that flexibility
could increase risk. People are concerned chemicals in the environment can affect drinking water or air and cause adverse affects. Prior to 1976, no regulations addressed hazardous
waste. He noted concerns regarding decisions related to permissible concentrations on contaminants in soil, water, food, air, homes, and construction materials. He reviewed: 1) toxicity;
2) exposure; 3) dose and dose response curve; 4) risk assessment components; 5) ways people can be exposed to chemicals; 6) governmental regulations; 7) safety factors; 8) hazard quotients;
9) chronic toxicity; and 10) carcinogens.
Dr. Harbison said chemicals are part of everyday life. Risk assessments evaluate exposure, dose, and health effects. All substances are poisonous at some
level of exposure. As different chemical compounds cause diverse health effects, risk assessment results for each type of health effect will differ. Hazard ranking is based on the
quantity and toxicity of each chemical emitted. All chemicals can be divided into risk assessment methodologies: 1) linear extrapolation of dose curve and 2) a threshold. To protect
public health, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has adopted a policy that does not identify a threshold value for any carcinogen.
Dr. Harbison felt the Brownfields development strategy should be flexible when identifying and locating contamination. He said in Florida, while a quotient greater than 1 is unacceptable,
a higher level may be permissible in an industrial site or due to other variables. Cancer risks are calculated by cancer slope factors and dose. Unlike other risks, cancer risks are
theoretical and cannot be verified. He said the true value of risk is unknown and could be zero. In response to a question, Dr. Harbison said the best way to educate the public regarding
acceptable levels of risk is to compare indoor and outdoor air contamination.
ITEM D – Environmental Justice Update – (Miles Ballogg)
Economic Development Programs Manager Miles Ballogg said ICMA (International County and City Managers Association) has funded a strategic environmental justice plan through Florida
A&M and USF (University of South Florida) Environmental Policy Group to establish a model plan for municipalities to deal with environmental justice issues. Environmental justice is
the fair and impartial treatment of all peoples with respect to environmental issues. The ICMA funded environmental justice plan in New Orleans was used as a springboard for community
ideas on identifying environmental issues. A follow-up meeting addressed community awareness of Brownfields and incentives, methods to obtain information from cities on current projects,
development of participatory processes, and specific development issues.
City Brownfields sites under scrutiny are 1) 1108 North Greenwood Avenue (gas station); 2) IMR (Information Management Resources) site; and 3) a florist location listed on the surplus
list. The colleges will work on a Brownfields awareness module. Assistant Director of Engineering Tom Miller will present an update on Stevenson’s Creek restoration. The next environmental
justice meeting will be held May 27, 1999, at 6:00 p.m. A meeting with the EPA is scheduled in June. The Center for Environmental Public Oversight has offered to conduct a 1-day workshop
of Brownfields issues with experts.
ITEM E – “Brownfields 101” Education Program Discussion – (Tom Miller)
Assistant Director of Engineering Tom Miller recommended postponing the Brownfields 101 education program until Renu Khator, environmental justice plan team member, provides additional
information.
ITEM F – Project Discussion – (Karma Killian)
1) North Greenwood
Environmental Specialist Karma Killian said the underground storage tank removal on the corner of North Greenwood Avenue and LaSalle was successful. Six months ago, the City had razed
the old service station on the site. During Phase 2, soil borings and temporary monitoring wells were installed. A waste oil tank was removed but soil contamination was found around
it. PCB contamination does not appear excessive. Within a few weeks, the contaminated soil will be excavated. When the underground storage tanks were removed, the soil was screened
and no contamination was found in those vaults. It was determined neither soil contamination nor odors have seeped beyond the western or southern property lines. The site should be
easy to clean up.
The South Greenwood location requires no further action. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said a BSRA (Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement) is being considered at that site
due to groundwater quality. A BSRA will be necessary if a nonprofit organization develops the site.
Discussion ensued regarding the BSRA and site. It was suggested the board first receive more information from the environmental justice team. It was suggested the board consider preparing
a BSRA for an exercise.
2) Town Pond
Mr. Miller said the 2.5-acre town pond is a several blocks east of the Municipal Services Building on Pierce and Ewing streets. Due to contamination problems and the level of nutrients,
staff has determined the pond does not support treatment. The goal of the pond is to improve water quality and flood protection, provide an economic incentive for redevelopment. Nearby
property owners will contribute to the project’s cost. Land must be purchased for the pond.
ITEM G – Public Discussion – None.
IITEM H – Establish Future Meeting Date and Agenda
The next meeting is scheduled tentatively for June 14, 1999, at 3:00 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center.
It was requested staff better inform members of meeting locations.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.