*Accept grant in the amount of $500,000 from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for Brownfield Assessment
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) applied to EPA FY22 Brownfield Assessment Grants Request for Applications EPA-OLEM-OBLR-21-04 for a grant in the amount of $500,000 on November 30, 2021; and
- EPA has notified the City of Portland that it will award a grant for Brownfield Assessments to BES in the amount of $500,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- The Mayor is hereby authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland a grant from EPA for Brownfield Assessments in the amount of $500,000.
- The Office of Management & Finance Grants Management Division is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation to the grant application, grant agreement or amendments, requests for reimbursement from the grantor, and to submit required online grant documents on the Mayor’s behalf.
- The Director of Bureau of Environmental Services of the City of Portland is authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland any subsequent modifications by EPA for Brownfield Assessments Grant, BF-XXXXX, provided such modifications do not increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk. Any modifications that increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk must be authorized by the Portland City Council.
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would unnecessarily delay the City's ability to perform the activities authorized by the grant; therefore, this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Mary Hull Caballero
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The U.S. EPA makes grants available for the environmental assessment of brownfields, which are properties with known or potential contamination. BES manages the Portland Brownfield Program, which provides voluntary assistance for brownfield properties in order to protect human and environmental health, protect watersheds, promote environmental justice, increase the tax base, accommodate regional economic growth, support business in Portland, and improve community livability.
Since 1998, the City of Portland has secured more than $4.5 million in brownfield grants from the U.S. EPA. This new grant will be used to provide environmental assessments on multiple brownfield properties to address potential contamination and enable reuse.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
There will be $500,000 in new grant revenue, to be spent over the 4-year grant period. The grant from EPA does not require cash match. This grant will be administered by existing Portland Brownfield Program staff, utilizing existing program resources, and will require no additional financial commitments.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
Brownfields negatively impact neighborhoods, and assessment provided by this grant is directed towards addressing potentially contaminated sites for Portland’s most vulnerable communities. We have two target areas this grant: (1) East Portland sites that will serve the rapidly growing population, and (2) N/NE projects that will address the housing crisis by supporting affordable housing.
Relationship building is a priority for us: in 2020, program staff attended approximately 200 events, trainings, and community meetings, in order to raise awareness of brownfields, the availability of federal funds, and to encourage voluntary participation by businesses and residents. We will continue to contribute to the email lists, newsletters, and websites of community and business organizations to post updates on current and planned work; and share information at community gatherings and events. Materials are provided in multiple languages.
A portion of the grant will be used to fund a community-based organization to design an outreach plan in collaboration with the Brownfield Program, and provide involvement for our target area, including culturally appropriate materials and inclusive meetings/events.
Work conducted under this grant will likely involve coordination with the Housing Bureau, Joint Office of Homeless Services, Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Prosper Portland, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Business Oregon, Multnomah County, Oregon Health Authority, and Metro.
100% Renewable Goal
N/A
Budget Office Financial Impact Analysis
$500,000 in new grant revenue will be spent over a four-year grant period. The grant from EPA does not require a cash match. This grant will be administered by existing Portland Brownfield Program staff in BES, utilizing existing program resources, and will require no additional financial commitments.
Agenda Items
579 Time Certain in June 29-30, 2022 Council Agenda
Passed
- Commissioner Dan Ryan Yea
- Former Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty Absent
- Commissioner Mingus Mapps Yea
- Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
- Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea