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Hall board approves TDEC BRAG grant application to study former Expo site contamination
Summary
The board unanimously approved submitting an application so the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation can administer a BRAG Brownfields assessment and testing at the former Expo site; officials said the grant administration would be routed through the city and paid for by the grant if awarded.
The Hall Power Board unanimously approved a motion at its Sept. 8 meeting to proceed with an application for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Brownfields Redevelopment Area Grant (BRAG) to study contamination at the former Expo facility.
Superintendent Almer told the board that TDEC had offered to help work through a Brownfield agreement that could release the city from future liability. "When we took over when, TP gave us that facility, I had talked to TDEC. They said that they would help us work through the Brownfield agreement, which releases us from any responsibility," he said, and added the agency would perform testing and, if results clear, survey the property.
Almer said some back-of-property contaminated areas had been cleared but concerns remain over land-use restrictions. He cautioned against blanket restrictions on the entire property, saying, "We don't want and don't understand, I told them, we don't want to just want the whole property and land use restrictions because then the expo, they're questioning are we standing on contaminated ground or something." He told the board TDEC's testing and administrative work would be paid from the grant and that the grant could cover survey and additional testing; TDEC estimated the grant could be up to $100,000 though staff did not expect the full amount would be needed.
Council business proceeded to a motion to approve city administration of the grant application. Miss Alston moved to approve and Miss Thompson seconded. The clerk took a roll call; Alderman Austin, Alderman Chipman, Alderman Frasier, Alderman Keely, Alderman Long, Alderman Thompson and Mayor Fitchy all voted yes. The motion "passes unanimously," the chair said.
Board members were told the cleanup and testing work could take about a year before TDEC clears the site. Officials said there would be no direct expense to the city for the assessment if the grant is awarded and administered as described.
The board directed staff to submit the BRAG application and to coordinate with NCFE (or the grant administrator that will perform the testing) if the grant is awarded.
