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File #: 140619.    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: To Be Introduced
File created: 12/30/2014 In control: City Manager
On agenda: 1/15/2015 Final action:
Title: Koppers Superfund Settlement Funds (NB) This item involves a request for the City Commission to consider reinvesting the Koppers Superfund Settlement Funds into the public infrastructure for the areas surrounding the Koppers Superfund Site including the Stephen Foster Neighborhood. **ESIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 10 MINUTES**
Attachments: 1. 140619_discussionitem_20150115.pdf
Title
Koppers Superfund Settlement Funds (NB)
 
This item involves a request for the City Commission to consider reinvesting the Koppers Superfund Settlement Funds into the public infrastructure for the areas surrounding the Koppers Superfund Site including the Stephen Foster Neighborhood. **ESIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 10 MINUTES**
 
 
Explanation
This item supports the City Commission Strategic Initiative 6.2: Develop a community partnership for long-term clean-up and revitalization of the Cabot/Koppers Superfund site and surrounding neighborhoods.
 
On November 20th, the City Commission authorized the Mayor to execute a Settlement Agreement between the City of Gainesville and Beazer East, Inc. to settle the City's claim arising from money the City spent in order to ensure that the actions taken at the Koppers Superfund site will be adequately protective of the City's drinking water supply.  The total value of the Settlement Agreement is approximately $945,000, which includes a cash payout to the City of $674,500 and in kind services.  The in-kind services include some stormwater improvements, provision of property for a future bike path, and removal of soils from the material storage yard.  Staff is seeking direction from the City Commission on investing the settlement funds into improvements in the area surrounding the Koppers Superfund site including the Stephen Foster Neighborhood.  The settlement funds would allow GRU and the Public Works Department to address some immediate needs in the area.
 
The off-site remediation included improvements that have greatly enhanced the appearance of the community.  The settlement funds provide an opportunity for the City to reinvest back into the community surrounding the site.  Two projects staff is proposing to undertake with the funds are repaving of the roads and replacement of galvanized steel water lines within the remediated area in the Stephen Foster Neighborhood.  The roads in this area are in need of repaving and Public Works would like to begin the repaving process as soon as feasible.  Several of the water lines within the neighborhood are galvanized steel pipes that were originally installed when the neighborhood was built.  Replacement of these lines will help to improve water pressure, reduce the cost and disruption associated with maintaining the older lines, and eliminate the need for GRU to replace the lines in the future.  Staff will coordinate water line replacement with the road repaving in order to minimize disruption and maximize efficiency.  The estimated costs for the road repaving and water line replacement are shown below.  
 
Road Repaving                  $424,500
Water Line Replacement      $250,000
Repair Total                           $674,500
 
Fiscal Note
There is $674,500 available in the settlement funds that can be used for projects in the areas surrounding the Koppers Superfund Site.
 
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize staff to utilize the settlement funds for the road and water line upgrades in the areas surrounding the Koppers Superfund Site.
 



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