Okaloosa County BOCC — December 16, 2014 — Action Item Printout

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: December 16, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Rick Owen SUBJECT: Letter of Support for WFRPC Grant Application DEPARTMENT: County Administrator BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Request Board approve and authorize Chairman to execute letter of support for the West Florida Regional Planning Council’s (WFRPC) application for the FY 2015 EPA Brownfield’s Assessment Grant Program. BACKGROUND: The WFRPC is preparing an application for the FY 2015 EPA Brownfield’s Assessment Grant Program. If awarded, this grant would be available for identification and assessment of Brownfield’s sites throughout the region, making each eligible for clean-up and redevelopment. The grant funds would be used only for parties interested in pursuing Brownfield’s identification and remediation. In order to have the best chances of receiving funding under this grant, the WFRPC needs to show support and commitment from partners throughout the seven county region, and is requesting a letter of support for this purpose. Providing a signed letter of support for the WFRPC application would not obligate participation in the program, but may increase the WFRPC’s ability to receive the grant, and to provide funding to supporters who do want to participate. An additional factor in this year’s application process will be the commitments made by local agencies for activities such as helping to identify potential sites for assessment and redevelopment, to market the Brownfield’s program locally on websites or by posting information in offices, or to provide assistance in public outreach and involvement either through direct participation or in donating meeting spaces. OPTIONS: Approve/Disapprove RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff recommends Board approve and authorize Chairman to execute letter of support for the West Florida Regional Planning Council’s (WFRPC) application for the FY 2015 EPA Brownfield’s Assessment Grant Program. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: John Hofstad, County Administrator