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03/06/2000BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER March 6, 2000 Present: Brian Flaherty Chair Stephen Fowler Vice-Chair Willa Carson Board Member Karen Fenton Board Member Renu Khator Board Member Mary Miller Board Member Thomas Noble Board Member William Sherman Board Member Absent: Gary Gray Board Member Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney Miles Ballogg Brownfields Coordinator Alicia Reed Brownfields TAC Chair Patricia Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. at Ross Norton Park Recreation Center. Reverend William Sherman offered the invocation. The Chair led the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Item #5 – Action Items a) Approval of Minutes Member Fowler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 22, 1999, as recorded and submitted in written summation to each Commissioner. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. b) Approval of Meeting Calendar Member Fowler moved to approve the BAB (Brownfields Advisory Board) 2000 meeting calendar: 1) April 17, 2000; 2) June 19, 2000; 3) August 21, 2000; and 4) October 23, 2000. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. c) City Brownfields Area Environmental Justice Action Agenda Member Khator, of the USF Environmental Science and Policy Program, reviewed the City of Clearwater Brownfields Area Environmental Justice Action Agenda, dated February 24, 2000. Board recommendations have been incorporated in the report. In reference to Appendix A, Brownfields Coordinator Miles Ballogg requested to amend this section, as necessary, to credit all Research Team members for their efforts. Member Fowler moved to recommend the City Commission approve the City of Clearwater Brownfields Area Environmental Justice Action Agenda with Appendix A modified as necessary. The motion was duly seconded. In reference to language regarding Figure 1 on Page 1, it was recommended the statement indicate the City’s Brownfields Areas also include the central business district. Member Fowler amended his motion to include language related to Figure 1 on Page 1 that states the central business district is part of the City’s Brownfields Areas. The seconder agreed. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Item #6 – Staff Reports a). Status of Current Projects 804-804.5 Pennsylvania Avenue Mr. Ballogg reported this site had been a mini junkyard. Three contaminated soil removals have occurred. He anticipated no further decontamination action will be necessary. Greenwood Community Health Resource Center Mr. Ballogg said the groundbreaking for the Greenwood Community Health Resource Center is scheduled for March 18, 2000. He anticipated the FDEP (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) will only monitor the site in the future. b) Supplemental Brownfields Funding Mr. Ballogg reported the City has been awarded $150,000 from the EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and may receive $50,000 for green space assessment. The EPA funds can be used for pre development costs such as market studies and appraisals and for public participation. If approved, the City can use the green space funding to purchase additional property along Stevenson’s Creek or support an urban park project. c) EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) Fourth Quarter Report Mr. Ballogg reviewed the EPA fourth quarter report, which features 20 separate City projects. d) Brownfields Site Rehabilitation Agreement – 1108 North Greenwood Avenue Mr. Ballogg stated the City Commission had executed this agreement. It is the City’s first area agreement with FDEP. He thanked the BAB and TAC for their assistance. e) 1999 State Brownfields Report The City’s State report is being presented through the environmental justice plan and activities reported therein. The City has done well in comparison to the rest of Florida. Item #7 – Other Business a) Environmental Technician Training Program PTEC (Pinellas Technical Education Center) representative Betty Miller stated before Career Options closed in October, the agency had partnered with PTEC to offer the Environmental Technician Training Program. Of the program’s 11 graduates, 10 are employed. One cares for a disabled relative. Now, EPA has approved PTEC to manage the grant. The next 10-week program begins next week. Remediation classes are offered to those who need help. The program is free to Brownfields area residents. For others, the cost of tuition, books, and insurance is estimated at $500. She encouraged companies to send students to the program. She hoped PTEC can offer 2 programs a year before funding expires in March 2002. Discussion ensued regarding barriers to training, including transportation, child-care, and the difficulty of participating in a 10-week program without income. It was recommended PTEC follow through with those who show initial interest and improve its outreach. Ms. Miller indicated some older residents have expressed concern regarding physical aspects of related jobs. It was suggested program participants be encouraged to recruit others. In response to a question, Ms. Miller indicated the State requires all PTEC diploma programs to place 80% of its graduates. PTEC has a full-time career counselor and placement coordinators. While beginning wages for program graduates average $8/hour, career advancement is possible in many related fields. The program features 300 fours of workshops, a 2-week internship, and training for those who lack a commercial driver’s license. Many municipalities need staff with this type of training. b) STEPS/$TAR$ Job Training Program - Tabled Item #8 – Public Comment It was recommended the BAB improve communications with Brownfields area residents to increase participation at BAB meetings. It was suggested meetings be advertised on C-View, in the newspaper, and with utility bills. Concern was expressed a law related to lead-based paint will affect Paint Your Heart Out activities. Staff to report. In response to a question, Mr. Ballogg said staff had worked with an applicant on a business plan related to a proposed Rib Shack in North Greenwood. Staff is waiting for his return. The Pinellas County Health Department, though HUD, has additional funding available for lead abatement through the Healthy Homes program. A preliminary meeting is planned. Plans are to identify structures with lead-paint before harm is done. The next meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2000, at Ross Norton Park at 6:00 p.m. Item #9 – Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.