Redevelopment Agency

MINUTES OF NORWICH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING September 26, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT Anthony Jacobs Carol Maranda Marge Blizard Timothy Smith James Quarto Sofee Noblick Leland Loose Jeremy Minter (arrived at 5:30 P.M.) MEMBERS ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Mayor Peter A. Nystrom Alan H. Bergren – City Manager Peter Davis-Planning & Neighborhood Services Konnie Morell – Attorney Gary Evans- Community Development Director Jill Brennan-Recording Secretary Claire Bessette-New London Day I. Call to order – Chair M. Blizard called the September 26, 2011 meeting to order at 5:02 P.M. II. Determination of Quorum It was determined a quorum was present. III. Approval of Minutes Motion to approve, L. Loose, 2nd S. Noblick, minutes of the August 22, 2011 meeting were approved. IV. Correspondence a) Brownfields RFP/RFQ submissions V. Unfinished Business Redevelopment Agency September 26, 2011 Page -2- VI. New Business a) EPA Grant application process-Dave Hurley presentation Peter Davis introduced Dave Hurley of Fuss & O”Neill. Members of the RDA introduced themselves. A community wide assessment grant will be the topic of the presentation. The EPA will be offering an assistance grant for Brownfields which can be used for assessing individual sites for petroleum and hazardous waste community wide assessment grants. Three key areas where the money will be used in the community should be focused on in the application. Site Assessment: When a site that has suspected contamination is considered for redevelopment considerations are: how can we clean it up and what will it cost? Phase I: Assessment is determined without taking actual samples, using history of use, visual inspection, etc. Will the site be subject to the CT Transfer Act? Phase 2: Report determines a rational for collecting samples. Samples are collected and report is generated. Phase 3: The degree and extent of the contamination is characterized. Possible remediation is determined. Remedial Action Plan is generated if required, depending on the end use and concentration & types of contaminants. It is helpful to have an end use. This process is valuable to a potential developer. The site is not necessarily owned by the City through out the entire process. Work has been done in the legislature over the last few years to limit the liability of entities willing to take on these types of sites. It has primarily been for the benefit of municipalities, but is leaning toward including private developers. Applications are currently being accepted for $28 million for brownfields issues. For the first time there are new laws that incentivize private developers and new money for these projects. Priority for funding: Jobs Transit Oriented Development Workforce entry level professional housing Peter Davis to email copy of the matrix to Marge Blizard to assist in the evaluation of the RFQ submissions. Dave Hurley gave his presentation which each RDA member also received electronically from Peter Davis. Redevelopment Agency September 26, 2011 Page -3- Mayor Nystrom asked Dave Hurley to comment on the Governor’s efforts. The Governor shares the efforts of the municipalities in getting the brownfields developed and has managed to include bond funding. $20 million in loans are available and $4.6 million in grants right now. Additional money will also be available in January. Peter Davis suggested that the RDA request of Dave to put together a list of preliminary tasks to begin on before the Guidelines are published. M. Blizard suggested that a special meeting be scheduled to begin work on this process. Dave Hurley suggested “that who is going to do what” be decided early on. He will provide the specific dates and times of the Brownfields tips and tricks seminar by emailing it to Jill Brennan. The dates are October 10-14th at Goodwin College. Peter Davis explained the distinction between Dave Hurley presentation and the RFQ: Dave Hurley gave a presentation on assisting the City to prepare an application for a City Wide Assessment grant. We need some general idea of areas to apply for this funding. Funding applied for will be specific to doing assessments on specific sites. The RFQ was for professional services to create an area wide plan for brownfields. Community wide plan to identify and address brownfields sites and how the City is going to proceed. It will basically become a policy document. Motion to approve the Mayor allocating up to $2000 to retain the professional services of Dave Hurley of Fuss & O’Neil to assist in preparation of Brownfields Assessment Grant, Jermey Minter, 2nd Sofee Noblick. No discussion, motion carried unanimously. Mayor’s office to send official letter to Mr. Hurley communicating the above. Motion to schedule RDA meeting for Tuesday the 11th in 319 preferably, 335 if not available at 5pm, S. Noblick, 2nd J. Quarto, motion carried unanimously. M. Blizard to get agenda out. b) Formation of a sub-committee to review Brownfields RFP/RFQ submissions. A ranking sheet was discussed. Peter Davis to provide a sample ranking sheet from the POCD. This will narrow down the selection to the top 3 or 4. M. Blizard asked for volunteers for a sub-committee. Discussion followed. It was decided that all members would read all nine proposals. M. Blizard suggested that members come with their top 3 or 4 choices at the October 24th meeting and be prepared to come up with a recommendation to the Council at that meeting. Jill will email everyone a copy of the RFQ. Redevelopment Agency September 26, 2011 Page -4- Jeremy Minter announced that he is resigning his position with the RDA due to his moving to Groton. He will submit a formal letter to the City Manager and his formal resignation date will be October 1st. VII. Citizen Comment IX. Adjournment Motion to adjourn, T. Smith, 2nd S. Noblick, meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.