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Item 1.F.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 07/22/2024 |
| Title: | Community Change in the Billings EBURD and North Park Neighborhoods |
| Presented by: | Ted Wilson, Grants Coordinator |
| Department: | City Hall Administration |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | Not Applicable |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the EBURD application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant opportunity titled "Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program".
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The EPA released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under assistance listing number 66.616 titled, "Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program". Applicants may apply for up to $20 million in funding for community change activities that benefits residents of a disadvantaged neighborhood. The EBURD and the North Side Neighborhoods qualify under the definition outlined in the NOFO.
The BIRD would like to submit an application under this grant program in partnership with the City and the Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council. Projects to be funded under the grant: a new North Park community center that would double as an emergency resiliency center, energy efficiency and lead abatement funding for residential housing located in the EBURD, rain garden storm water treatment and cycle track along 3rd Avenue North, North 20th Street and North 13th Street, a pocket park on 20th Street, various other tree plantings to augment those being added through the urban forestry grant, and various sidewalk and crosswalk improvements throughout the EBURD. In collaboration with MDT, the grant would also include the 13th Street cycle track across and along a realigned 6th Avenue North to connect the EBURD, North Side, and downtown bike path with the Heights through Sword's Park. This grant does not require a local match. The EBURD application requests the full $20 million in funding.
The BIRD would like to submit an application under this grant program in partnership with the City and the Yellowstone Valley Citizens Council. Projects to be funded under the grant: a new North Park community center that would double as an emergency resiliency center, energy efficiency and lead abatement funding for residential housing located in the EBURD, rain garden storm water treatment and cycle track along 3rd Avenue North, North 20th Street and North 13th Street, a pocket park on 20th Street, various other tree plantings to augment those being added through the urban forestry grant, and various sidewalk and crosswalk improvements throughout the EBURD. In collaboration with MDT, the grant would also include the 13th Street cycle track across and along a realigned 6th Avenue North to connect the EBURD, North Side, and downtown bike path with the Heights through Sword's Park. This grant does not require a local match. The EBURD application requests the full $20 million in funding.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
- Approve; or,
- Not Approve
FISCAL EFFECTS
The City of Billings would act as the pass-through entity for the EBURD for non-construction elements of the grant. The EBURD would hire a grant manager and manage the energy efficiency/lead abatement program. The City would manage the construction of the North Park Community Center, cycle track/rain garden projects, 6th Avenue path, tree planting, and pocket park construction. The EBURD would complete its narrative and fiscal reporting through the City grant manager, and the City grant manager, along with City finance staff, would prepare its own narrative and financial reporting and submit to the EPA. There is no local match required or planned for these projects, and there is no expectation that the City or the EBURD would assume any ongoing costs at the conclusion of the three-year grant period.