Subject:
Title
Grant application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for a community-wide hazardous substance and petroleum or petroleum products assessment within the South Highpoint Cross Bayou areas.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval and execution by the Director of Public Works of the grant application to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for a community-wide hazardous substance and petroleum or petroleum products assessment within the South Highpoint Cross Bayou areas.
• Application for USEPA grant funding in the amount of $500,000.00 for Fiscal Years (FY) 2026-2030 to promote redevelopment activities.
• USEPA will reimburse County 100% of project costs. No County match required.
• Grant supports State of Florida’s Brownfields Redevelopment for site rehabilitation of contaminated sites.
• Application due November 14, 2024.
• If approved, this grant would impact FY26 - FY30 and would be included in FY26 budget development.
Request for Application (RFA) No. EPA-OLEM-OBLR-24-08; funding in the amount of $500,000.00 to be distributed over a four (4) year period; Director of Public Works to approve and sign Application electronically.
Body
Strategic Plan:
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources.
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in Communities that need it the most
4.3 Catalyze redevelopment through planning and regulatory programs
Deliver First-Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
The Brownfields Assessment grant will provide the County with funds to expand the Brownfields program and focus on Brownfield sites within the South Highpoint Cross Bayou areas. The South Highpoint Cross Bayou communities are a Target Area (TA) of Pinellas County for resiliency and infrastructure improvement. The funding will be used to promote redevelopment by offsetting the cost of environmental due diligence for the County. The County may take advantage of this funding by screening properties that will be purchased to improve infrastructure or build affordable housing.
Background/Explanation:
Grant funding can be used for environmental due diligence, cleanup planning, and reuse planning services necessary to position priority properties and other sites for purposeful redevelopment and reuse, and ongoing efforts to promote outdoor recreation and active transportation in South Highpoint, specifically along the Cross Bayou Canal and within the Cross Bayou Basin. The planned improvements to the greenway, parks, and retention pond will develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure to mitigate flooding issues and ensuring the safety of the residents.
The award of an FY 2025 Brownfields Assessment grant will provide the County with the funds to expand the Brownfields program and focus on Brownfield sites within the TA.
Fiscal Impact:
This USEPA Brownfield grant is in the amount of $500,000.00. The County is not required to provide a match for these funds. The grant is for four (4) years and could potentially be distributed over all four (4) years from FY 2026 to FY 2029.
If approved, this grant would impact FY26 - FY30 and would be included in FY26 budget development.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Director of Public Works to sign this Application is granted under Code Section 2-62(a)(4) and as delegated per the Memorandum dated March 30, 2016.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
EPA
FDEP
Attachments:
Info Sheet
Narrative
Threshold Criteria
Notice of Funding Opportunity
Project Map
FDEP Letter of Support