SUBJECT: CONSENT AGENDA
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Town Board of Trustees to sign a Letter of Commitment for a Project in Support of an Application for a Supplemental Environmental Project Funding.
Body
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Development
PRESENTER/PREPARER: Farrell Buller, Assistant to the Town Administrator - Community Services
Todd Bjerkaas, Director of Planning & Development
Russell Pennington, Town Engineer
Wendi Palmer, Civil Engineer
FISCAL INFORMATION: N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution supporting the grant funding application submission and authorize the appropriate Town officer to sign said Letter of Commitment.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
On February 23, 2018 the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released a Request for Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Applications. The application is awarded in the form of a grant for three various areas including Environmental Restoration and Protection, Environmental Education, and Pollution Prevention.
Staff reviewed the application requirements, attended the informational session, contacted the SEP Coordinator with our idea, and believes there is a potential project that fits the application requirements.
The Town of Erie’s Waste Water Division and Engineering Division have been studying various concept ideas of the abandoned lagoons just north of the old South Water Reclamation Facility. Both projects recommend converting the lagoons into a water quality pond with a wetland bottom that includes an ecological exploratory zone that can provide an educational experience in addition to providing water quality treatment for Historic Erie’s storm sewer system.
Staff is now working with our consultant to provide construction costs and exhibits needed for the application. Staff anticipates requesting $200,000-$500,000 for the grant application. The total cost for this project will likely be over $500,000 which would then require the Town to provide additional funds. Since this project would provide multiple benefits, the funds could come from more than one Town Fund.
A letter of Commitment from the Town Board is beneficial for the funding application. The application is due April 10, 2018 at 2:00PM.
ATTACHMENTS:
a. Resolution
b. Letter of Commitment
c. Vicinity Map
d. Water Quality Alternative
e. Coal Creek Concepts for Ecological Exploration Zone