ORDINANCE NO. 177117

* Authorize application to the Environmental Protection Agency for a grant in the amount of $200,000 to undertake environmental assessments and administration.

The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1 the Council finds that:

1.  Assessing and cleaning up contaminated brownfield sites is a high priority for the City and County, both for public health as well as growth management reasons.

2.  The Portland Brownfield Showcase Program in the Bureau of Housing and Community Development currently operates a program of environmental assessments for brownfield sites. Less than $25,000 in city-wide assessment funds remains uncommitted.

3.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making additional funds available for environmental assessments through a competitive application process.

4.  The Bureau of Housing and Community Development is responding with an application for $200,000. Specific projects for these funds include assessments of a Multnomah County-owned abandoned gas station on SE Division/20^th that has off-site contamination, and the Grant Warehouse on NE MLK once its acquired by the Portland Development Commission. Remaining funds will be used for the Showcase’s city-wide assessment program.

5.  Though a local match is not required, leverage is a rating criteria. Leverage comes from the City’s support of the Showcase Program, the 20% owner-contribution requirement of the Showcase Program, and the monies that PDC and Multnomah County have already contributed on the Grant Warehouse and gas station.

NOW THEREFORE, The Council directs:

A. The Mayor is hereby authorized to make application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a grant in the amount of $200,000.

Section 2.  The Council declares that an emergency exists since the application must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. no later than December 16, 2002; therefore this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Passed by the Council, DEC 11 2002

               GARY BLACKMER

Comissioner Erik Sten          Auditor of the City of Portland

Howard Cutler            By /S/ Susan Parsons

December 5, 2002              Deputy

BACKING SHEET INFORMATION

AGENDA NO. 1460-2002

ORDINANCE/RESOLUTION/COUNCIL DOCUMENT NO. 177117