DEPARTMENT: Health
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Thomas L. Schlenker
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Grant Submission to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and the acceptance of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for Community Health Projects Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites for the period September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015.
In addition, this Ordinance adopts the program budget and authorizes the Director of Metro Health to initiate, negotiate and execute any and all necessary documents and grant contracts to effectuate the application and the acceptance of funds for the above referenced grant, and to execute any contract amendments pertaining to this grant in the following circumstances: a) line item budget revisions authorized by the funding agency; b) modifications to the performance measures authorized by the funding agency and listed in the contract so long as the terms of the amendment stay within the general parameters of the grant's intention; c) changes in state or federal regulations mandated by the funding agency; and d) carry-over funds, when ascertained and approved by the funding agency through a revised notice of award.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The ATSDR Community Health Projects (CHP) Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites purpose is to increase responsive public health actions by promoting healthy and safe environments and preventing harmful exposures related to contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites. Brownfields are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Land reuse sites are properties that are being redeveloped from their former use. EPA estimates that there are over 450,000 Brownfield sites in the United States. Addressing public health concerns and issues associated with restoration of contaminated properties is essential.
ATSDR's mission is to serve the public through responsive public health actions to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures. Sites such as Brownfield/Land Reuse sites may have potentially harmful exposures from contamination from previous site uses. Community health projects that address impacts of contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse sites further ATSDR's public health mission to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures. These projects will have a particular emphasis on identifying health issues prior to redevelopment and/or assessing changes in community health associated with reuse plans and redevelopment.
The San Antonio Brownfields Program began in the fall of 2011 by San Antonio's Center City Development Office (CCDO), a department created to develop programs and incentives for property owners and to develop interest in revitalizing San Antonio's urban core and downtown areas. The program has inventoried over 750 potential brownfields in Center City target areas and has had discussions with over 175 owners of vacant properties to provide information about brownfields incentives and other assistance from the Center City Development Office. These brownfields were located across several inner city corridors that are catalytic areas of the City's Reinvestment Plans. Owners of these sites have been contacted by program staff and offered incentive opportunities. To date, the San Antonio Brownfields Program has completed 13 environmental assessments and has helped five additional projects receive funding for assessments from State and federal resources. These projects will create 1.1 million square feet in developable space, create 124 new housing units, and will leverage $26.2 million in private investment.
ISSUE:
Metro Health requests City Council authorization to submit a grant application and accept funds upon award in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures. Authorization of this Ordinance will allow Metro Health to continue the important work of identifying health issues prior to redevelopment and/or assessing changes in community health associated with reuse plans and redevelopment in San Antonio.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the grant application is not submitted, the funds will be redistributed to other community health projects in the country. As a result, Metro Health would forgo funding for promoting healthy and safe environments and preventing harmful exposures related to contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites in San Antonio.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Metro Health is requesting authorization for submission of a grant application and the acceptance of grant funds in an amount not to exceed $150,000.00 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, to continue to identify health issues prior to redevelopment and/or assess changes in community health associated with reuse plans and redevelopment in San Antonio. This grant does not require a cash match and will have no impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the acceptance of grant funds in an amount up to $150,000.00 for the period September 30, 2014 to September 29, 2015 to continue to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures.