Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVING RESOLUTION ON. 23-167 AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION AND DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S MULTIPURPOSE, ASSESSMENT, REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS, AND CLEANUP (MARC) GRANTS (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The City is intending to apply to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Multipurpose, Assessment, Revolving Loan Funds (RLF), and Cleanup (MARC) grants, specifically for a community-wide assessment to investigate environmental conditions of brownfield properties within Carson. By applying for federal funds to address brownfields, the City is not only capitalizing on the current unprecedented funding availability, but also acting on adopted City policies pertaining to brownfields and environmental remediation. These policies include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Resolution No. 22-068 - This resolution declared the City’s intention to formally prioritize the remediation and development of vacant, environmentally challenged properties in the City and develop a comprehensive economic development ordinance to facilitate remediation and development of contaminated properties.
• Carson 2040 General Plan Community Health & Environmental Justice Element, Policy CHE-G-6 - "Explore opportunities and seek funding to remediate and redevelop brownfields as sites to spur economic development, expand natural open spaces and parks, community gardens, and other similar health-promoting community revitalization activities, particularly in underserved neighborhoods."
• Economic Development Strategic Plan, Strategy 6.E - “Partner with property owners to assess, investigate, and clean-up contaminated sites, establishing Carson as a "national best-practices leader" in brownfield remediation and redevelopment.”
If awarded, the anticipated $500,000 community wide assessment funding may be used for the direct costs associated with the inventory development, site prioritization, community involvement, site reuse planning, assessment, and cleanup planning for brownfield sites.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. WAIVE further reading and ADOPT Resolution No. 23-167, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARSON, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION AND DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) MULTIPURPOSE, ASSESSMENT, RLF, AND CLEANUP (MARC) GRANTS”
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
US EPA Multipurpose, Assessment, RLF, and Cleanup (MARC)
The adoption of Resolution No. 23-167 authorizes the submittal of application for funding with EPA, including future funding rounds. The estimated total funding available for grants under this funding opportunity is approximately $30 million, and EPA anticipates awarding an estimated 60 Community-wide Assessment Grants nationwide ranging from $300,000 to $500,000 per grant. Given the need in Carson, staff would be applying for the maximum $500,000 amount. Notification of awards under this MARC program is anticipated for late Spring 2024.
On October 5, 2023, a presentation was made to the City’s Economic Development Commission regarding this funding opportunity. At the meeting, the several commissioners have volunteered their organization to serve as community partners in addressing brownfields in Carson including California State of University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP), and the Carson Chamber of Commerce. If awarded funding, the City could further collaborate with its community partners on how to strategically use its funds to address brownfields and environmental remediation in Carson. This may include obtaining assistance with outreach to brownfield property owners, inventory development, and community engagement.
State of California, Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) Round 2
Separate from this item (but related to brownfield funding), staff have also submitted three grant applications to the State of California, Department of Toxic Substances Control’s (DTSC) Equitable Community Revitalization Grant (ECRG) Program as authorized under Resolution 22-075. The three applications submitted for ECRG Round 2 program include: (1) A Community-Wide Assessment to assess sites city-wide, including city-owned and private properties; (2) A second environmental site investigation funding request for the Sywest Development; and (3) An initial environmental site investigation for the Housing Authority property on the southeast corner of Carson and Figueroa. Notifications for awards under in the ECRG are anticipated for early 2024.
Last year, the City received ECRG Round 1 funding for investigation of the Sywest Development. Within a year, the City was able to utilize 100% of the $315,000 grant award which included the completion of a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) report. Staff have worked closely with the Developer/ Property owner to partner on the ECRG Round 2 grant application submittal. The submitted request for funding included a request for a Supplement Site Investigation (SSI), Remediation Action Workplan (RAW), and required community engagement.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time. Should the City receive a MARC award, the anticipated grant allocation to the City for community wide assessment is $500,000.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Resolution No. 23-167
Prepared by: James Nguyen, Special Projects Manager / Saied Naaseh, Director of Community Development