Port Jervis council approves Brownfield CFA, floodplain restriction at water plant and $562,861 WQIP property purchase

The Port Jervis Common Council approved a package of land- and infrastructure-related actions Tuesday, including a grant application for a Brownfield Opportunity Area study, a floodplain-management resolution linked to water-filtration improvements at 71 Reservoir Avenue, and a $562,861 purchase of a property tied to a Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP).

A council member introduced a resolution authorizing the submission of a 2025 New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for a Brownfield Opportunity Area study to identify known or suspected contaminated sites, with Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress identified to assist in the application and study if awarded. The council seconded and approved the CFA resolution.

Separately, the council passed a resolution addressing federal floodplain-management standards (24 CFR part 58 was cited in the meeting record) for the Port Jervis border plan improvements tied to the water-filtration plant at 71 Reservoir Avenue. The resolution directs the mayor to work with corporation counsel to evaluate practical alternatives, and the council agreed to place a restrictive covenant on the parcel limiting future development in the floodplain, except for filtration-related work needed to secure grant funding.

Council also approved $562,861 to purchase the WQIP Litini property, with the finance council member and mayor stating those funds will come from the general fund and are expected to be reimbursed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) within about 30 to 60 days.

All three items were moved, seconded and carried during the meeting; the transcript records the motions passing by voice vote.

— Based on council meeting record and staff presentations as recorded in the public meeting transcript.