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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC Minutes - November 12, 2002City of Central Point Central Point Citizen's Advisory Committee Minutes Tuesday, November 12, 2002 6:30 P.M. Meeting Called to Order IL RoB Call: Herb Fazbeq Chairman; Sam hdcley, Jc; Sam Inkley, Sr. were present. Damian Idiart; Rick Perry; Mike Quilty and Peg Wiedman were absent. Also is atteadaace were Tom Humphrey, Planning Director, Matt Samitore, Community Planaeq Dave Arkeas, Plaouiug Technician. III. Public appearances There were no public appearances. IV. Business A. OSUNEQ - Brawnfeeld Presentation /Grant OppoRUnkies Tom Humphrey began the meeting by explaining that the meetings aze intended to be held quarterly, however [here has no[ been much to discuss in the last few months. As part of the new agenda, Tom wanted to discuss a subject that has come up and introduce a couple of guest speakers that have come down from [he Eugene area. Andrea Lewis and Michael Fernandez are here to explain the Brownfield grant opportunities available to the City of Central Point, through DEQ, EPA and possible other agencies. Staff would like to get CAC input and if comfortable make recommendations [o [he Council. The Citizens Committee, serves as a sounding board for the Community. The City looks forwazd [o higher attendance in [he future as more pointed issues are addressed. The task of the Citizen's Advisory Committee is to look a[ land use issues, transportation needs, pazk related issues, the Arts, and a whole variety of things that effect the social, and physical fabric of the City. Michael Fernandez (Technical Assistant [o Brownfield Communities through OSU), began the Brownfield presentation with handouts [hat summarize the benefits and challenges associated with Brownfield redevelopment He explained that then of5ce is part of a parent organization of Hazardous Substance Research and they operate from a 5- yeazlong grant cycle funded by the EPA. Their funding is allocated to scientific reseazch and environmental clean up. They are part of the Western Region [ha[ serves 2 EPA Regions on [he West Coast. There are currently over 450,000 Brownfield Communities Nationwide. A Brownfield area is designated in order to relieve business liability, to expand, and redevelop or re-use real property that may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a bazazdous substance, pollutant or contaminant. Some of the benefits of being a Brow~eld Community are: economics, because i[ involves redeveloping property [hat has either not been used, or has been under used, thus creating jobs, and increasing the tax base. A few of the social benefits aze: improving the community image, increasing local vitality, and showing a community successful at problem solving. It also provides environmental equity. Solar energy can be designed into Brownfield developments, and they also can take advantage of existing zoning, and infrastructure rather than looking into green areas or increasing sprawl. Mr. Fernandez stated [hat the City of Central Point seems to be developing a good strategic plan. The City can stimulate redevelopment progrants by offering tax incentives, by acquiring properties, preparing them for development and then selling them. There are all types of resources that can be identified and used as leverage. There are grants available for assessing contamination and [o determine clean up costs to make better business decisions. Herb Farber stated [ha[ there are at least two types of contaminants that he is aware of: oil products where there are underground tanks or wrecking yards, and asbestos in houses and so forth, and wanted to clarify if these are the Types of projects that would be considered Brownfield candidates. Andrea Lewis, a Brownfield Specialist from DEQ, responded that there are all forms of contaminants. They can come in the form of dry cleaners, or perhaps a piece of property that has not had any operational history, but has become a source of illegal dumping. Asbestos generally isn't a problem unless it has been disturbed. Tom Humphrey asked Andrea Lewis if they deal a lot with Urban Renewal Agencies, since it was pointed out earlier that acquiring some of these funds is easier for an organization to obtain than individuals. Andrea said [ha[ [hey do try to encourage Urban Renewal Agencies to get involved with these types of programs. Ms. Lewis explained that her role is to meet with various municipalities and government agencies, and [o provide them with the information necessary for Brownfield redevelopment. She then passed around a packet and said it is a Beat tool for explaining the different grants available. She explained that she is developing a Jackson County Highway 99 development project that will generate funds for potential Brownfield sites along the corridor. Priority will be determined on whether or no[ a development will serve a public benefit, and will also be a part of road improvement. Road improvements have been included in this grant due to an upcoming ODOT project in 2004 that involves repaving Highway 99. If ODOT fmds property that has items such as underground storage tanks, it will be the financial responsibility of the property owner to correct [his. The DEQ project will serve as a device [o help private business owners with identification eazly on, and additionally may help with the cost of the clean up. Generally most grants are not available to private business owners, however many communities along Highway 99 will be effected by this project. Ms. Lewis then went on to explain why she thought Central Point was such an attractive candidate for these grants. Central Point has several potential sites in a concentrated azea that would mare than likely meet the criteria for some grant funding along Highway 99. The grant offered by EPA is $200,000 for site assessment. The initial grant application deadline is December 16`h, 2002. The selected applicant will be invited to enter the second phase of the grant process and a detailed application will be due March I5, 2003. There are currently 10 applications in the State of Oregon. These grants have an annual cycle. The application will be more compelling [o the grant board if it can show something that could tie the sites together with the surrounding area. Matt Samitore, Community Planner, stated that a114 sites could easily be tied together. Though of the 4 sites, the Mill site would be the best candidate for [he following reasons: ii is already on the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department's Needs and Issues Inventory List, it will have open space, mixed use, already has a preliminary master plan of the Mill site, will create morejobs and housing. After discussion back and forth as to whether or not to attempt [o submit application for this deadline of December 16, 2002, it was recommended that the Planning Department staff should take a look at the actual preliminary application to explore the possibility of meeting this deadline. If not then the Planning Department should be prepared to submit a preliminary application next year. B. Parka Master Planuiug Matt Samitore, Community Planner, spoke [o the committee about the training he received in Eugene, Oregon through the Oregon Planning Institute relating to parks, open space, and all the grants and funding available to develop them. Matt expressed the need to develop a Parks Master Plan and how this can be accomplished. It will be necessary to form a committee of 9 - 12 members, and he has already invited the Park Commission Members, the City Council Members, and extended the invitation to the Citizens Advisory Committee. Matt further explained that this will be intense, and will require meeting 1 to 2 times per month for about 6 months. There will be a pre- established schedule, agendas and information for these meetings. This Parks Master Plan Committee will begin meeting after January 2003. He has already identified approximately 20 different programs that the City can obtain funding from. Matt closed by asking the committee to think about getting involved and to please give him a call if interested. C. Discuasiou of January Agenda Tom Humphrey informed [he committee that they would have an agenda with information to review prior to future Citizens Advisory Committee meetings and staff will work up an advance schedule of upcoming CAC meetings. He then informed [he committee of some of the items the Planning Department has to accomplish in [he future. Tom explained how [he City Council wants to see master plans for larger parcels and to conduct in person surveys with property owners as to what they would like [o see happen with their property and azea around their property, if they are satisfied with their cun•ent zoning etc. At the January CAC meeting, Tom Humphrey will be bringing [o the committee the results of the Council's retreat on January 11, 2003; the Planning Department will begin bringing in candidates for re-zoning, summaries of City Council discussions and priorities. The committee agreed that January 22"d will be the date for the next CAC meeting and 6:30 pm is still a good time to begin [he meetings. There were no recommendations made by the committee VI. Miscellaneous There were no miscellaneous items. VII. Adjourumeut The committee adjourned at approximately 8:40 P.M.