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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM BRIEFING SHEET Submittal Date: Originating Department: Ptesented By: Agenda Item No.: 10/31/2008 Community Lisa A. Wright, Director of Council Date: Development Community Development 19. 11/10/2008 RECOMMENDED MOTION: Public hearing and move to approve a resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant in the amount of $200,000.00, with a required cash match of $40,000.00, for the purpose of mitigating environmental hazards at the Grand Theater and pledging to accept the donation from Lamar County, Paris Junior College, and Paris Independent School District of all their undivided interests in and to the Grand Theater in the event the City is awarded such grant. POLICY ISSUE(S): Required by grant program. BACKGROUND: On March 21, 2001, by virtue of a tax foreclosure, Lamar County became the Trustee on behalf of all the taxing entities of The Grand Theater. At the time the property was foreclosed upon, it was already in a deteriorated state, and, over the past five (5) years, it has become even more deteriorated to the point of near dilapidation. The City recently made repairs to the roof of the property and closed all openings in the building which were contributing to the deterioration; unfortunately, the building was already heavily contaminated with bird carcasses and feces. Additionally, there are high levels of mold, asbestos, and lead paint in the building from prior renovations. On November 13, 2006, the City Council authorized the filing of a grant application with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a Brownfields Cleanup Grant in the amount of $200,000.00, with a required cash match of $40,000.00. Unfortunately, the City was not awarded funding during the last cycle; therefore, the Director of Community Development has prepared a new application for the current cycle and seeks a confirmation of Council's approval for the filing of said grant and the pledging of the related cash match. In order to save this historic structure and preserve it for future generations, it is necessary that these environmental hazards be removed. The cost of removing the hazards has been a roadblock to any potential development over the years; therefore, it is necessary that the City take on this project to ensure its success. BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: EXHIBITS: Resolution; letter to the E.P.A.; and brochure ACTION: BUDGET INFO: ❑ Financial Report ❑ Minute Order Expense $240,000.00 ❑ Department Report ~ Resolution Budgeted Amt. $40,000.00 ❑ Presentation ❑ Ordinance y'TD Actual $ Z Public Hearing ❑ Other Acct. Name Acct. Number FISCAL NOTES: City of Paris Revised 2/04/08 ~ 00029Z _ , . T., . . T_... T..