2018-1528 RESOLUTION NO. 2018-1528
A resolution authorizing the City of Janesville to submit a grant request to
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for up to $150,000 in grant
funding through their Brownfield Site Assessment Grant (SAG) Program, to
submit a grant request to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for up to
$30,000 in grant funding through their Wisconsin Assessment Monies Program
(WAM), and enter into a development agreement with Hendricks Commercial
Properties, LLC to provide the City of Janesville with site access during the
project period.
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (hereinafter "WEDC")
has created and funded the Brownfield Site Assessment Grant Program (hereinafter
"SAG") with the goal of supporting community redevelopment in the state of Wisconsin;
and
WHEREAS, SAG has grant funding available to local governments seeking to
redevelop sites potentially impacted by environmental contamination for economic or
community development purposes; and
WHEREAS, SAG offers Wisconsin communities up to $150,000 to investigate the
degree and extent of groundwater and soil contamination; and
WHEREAS, eligible activities include: demolition, site assessment or investigation,
asbestos abatement, and some site restoration; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (hereinafter "WDNR") has
Wisconsin Assessment Monies (hereinafter "WAM") to aid local governments in
investigating potential brownfield sites in the state of Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, WAM is for contractor services up to $30,000 to investigate environmental
contamination at closed environmental sites throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, SAG recognizes WAM funds as part of the match requirement of the
grant; and
WHEREAS, it is unclear whether there may be environmental contamination on the site
of the former Country Furniture by Schulers facility (hereinafter "Site"); and
WHEREAS, Hendricks Commercial Properties, LLC, (hereinafter "HCP") purchased the
site from Schulers in 2005; and
WHEREAS, the Site experienced significant property damage during the flood event of
2008 and is located in both the floodway and floodplain; and
WHEREAS, the Site and building has remained vacant since 2008; and
WHEREAS, the local flood plain zoning ordinance adopted in 2015 as stipulated by
Wis. Stat. §59.69(10) limits the amount of reinvestment into the property to 50% of its
equalized assessed value; and
WHEREAS, the redevelopment of the former County Furniture by Schulers site has
been identified in the Rock Renaissance Area Redevelopment & Implementation
Strategy (ARISE) plan for expansion of Traxler Park; and
WHEREAS, the City would need to have a Phase I ESA conducted to the All
Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) standard to have a federal CERCLA defense regardless of
the acquisition type; and
WHEREAS, both WEDC and WDNR require a development agreement between the
municipality and the site owner to provide site access during the project period;
WHEREAS, HCP is committed to continue this revitalization effort; and
WHEREAS, the City supports the continued revitalization of the downtown, as it is
intended to create a community asset and economic catalyst for future development,
private investment and job creation; and
WHEREAS, the site was identified in the ARISE plan adopted in 2015 for the
expansion of Traxler Park in order to meet the current and future demands recreational
activity and tourism; and
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City
of Janesville that:
1. All above introductions and recitals are incorporated herein by reference as if
fully set forth verbatim ; and
2. The City Administration is authorized on behalf of the City of Janesville to
prepare and submit applications for, and request funds and assistance available from
the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR); and
3. The City Administration is authorized on behalf of the City of Janesville to
negotiate and enter into a development agreement in the best interests of the public to
provide the City of Janesville with site access during the project period; and
4. The City of Janesville shall take any and all necessary actions to undertake,
direct, and complete approved grant activities, and comply with State and Federal rules
for the program(s); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Manager and/or his designee(s), on
behalf of the City of Janesville, is/are hereby jointly and severally authorized and
empowered to negotiate, draft, review, revise, modify, amend, execute, enter into,
file and/or record additional applications, agreements, amendments, documents,
reports, and letters of understanding concerning this matter, and to take whatever
additional other actions that the City Manager may determine in his sole discretion,
from time to time and at any time, necessary and/or desirable in the public interest to
effectuate the intent of this Resolution and/or the public good.
ADOPTED: April 9, 2018 Motion by: Gruber
Second by: Conley
APPROVED: Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent
Oya,i', aConley X
Farrell X
Gruber X
i yan ' • [ue, De,'"+7 e.'*7 Alu^�.�e� Jorgensen X
ATTE / Marklein X
c J Williams X
i/'/,i '. 1� Wolfe X
David T. Godek, CI y Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Attorney
Proposed by: Economic Development Office
Prepared by: Economic Development Office
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