Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to Accept and Appropriate the Military Installation Resiliency (MIR) Project Study Grant through the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) Community Planning Assistance Program Services JB Langley-Eustis Implementation II
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this resolution is to accept and appropriate federal grant funds and allocate matching funds for the MIR Program Grant. This grant award is in the amount of $156,033 in federal funds and requires a local cash match of $17,337 for a total grant award of $173,370 to go towards the MIR project study to supplement the West JBLE-Langley Entry Control Facility (ECF) Alternatives Analysis study. This MIR project will conduct a Stormwater and Environmental Due Diligence study and assessment of the preferred site for the ECF.
Discussion:
This grant award will fund a supplement study for the West JBLE-Langley ECF by conducting a Stormwater and Environmental Due-Diligence assessment/report. As a part of the JBLE-Langley ECF Alternatives Analysis project, JBLE-Langley AFB, the City of Hampton, NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), and other project stakeholders have begun to strongly consider a site located along Commander Shepard Boulevard and north of the airfield. Based on several conversations with City of Hampton, JBLE-Langley AFB, and NASA LaRC staff, it was determined that the subject site has a relatively complex and integrated stormwater drainage system that is of interest to all parties. It was also noted that this system extends across Commander Shepard Boulevard to the west and as far south as the Southwest Branch of the Back River. This supplemental stormwater and environmental due diligence task will provide the opportunity to assess the existing system as well as investigate preliminary stormwater treatment technique alternatives. Additionally, based on a preliminary review of background environmental material it is anticipated that wetlands and waters of the United States (WOUS) are likely present on the subject site. To address this potential concern and/or to pre-emptively verify the extent of these environmental considerations, this task will involve conducting a wetland delineation of the site that will be confirmed with the USACE to accurately identify the boundaries, extents and types of wetlands and waters on the potential future ECF location. Utilizing the results of the wetland delineation, the project team will develop an updated preferred Course of Action (COA) concept. The updated concept will focus on avoiding and minimizing wetland impacts to the maximum extent practicable while still supporting all defined mission essential functions of the proposed ECF, in order to reduce the required permitting effort, time/regulatory review duration, and compensatory mitigation costs. This information will be taken into account as a part of the JBLE Langley ECF alternatives evaluation process.
Impact:
The City of Hampton (the "City") has been awarded of $156,033 in federal grant funds. The required local cash match of $17,337 will be allocated from the Watershed Studies project funded by the Stormwater Management Fund in the FY22 Capital Budget. The total grant award of $173,370 will be used to conduct the study project. This demonstrated commitment greatly strengthened the OLDCC grant proposal and contributed to its success.
Recommendation:
Rec
Approve.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) has awarded the Military Installation Resiliency (MIR) Project Study Grant to the City of Hampton in the amount of $156,033 in federal funds and a required local cash match of $17,337 to be allocated from the Watershed Studies project funded by the Stormwater Management Fund in the FY22 Capital Budget, for a total grant award of $173,370;
WHEREAS, the City of Hampton is the sponsoring jurisdiction and in conjunction with the OLDCC will conduct a Military Installation Resiliency (MIR) project study to supplement the West JBLE-Langley Entry Control Facility (ECF) Alternatives Analysis. This MIR project will conduct a Stormwater and Environmental Due Diligence study and assessment of the preferred site for the ECF;
WHEREAS, the preferred gate location and route is not only intended to provide a new means of access to/from the installation but also designed to be flood-secure, and thus enhancing the installation’s resiliency to the potential impact of significant rainfall or flooding events. The City of Hampton, JBLE-Langley AFB, and NASA LaRC staff, determined the subject site has a relatively complex and integrated stormwater drainage system that is of interest to all parties. This supplemental stormwater and environmental due diligence task will provide the opportunity to assess the existing system as well as investigate preliminary stormwater treatment technique alternatives. Additionally, based on a preliminary review of background environmental material it is anticipated that wetlands and waters of the United States (WOUS) are likely present on the subject site. To address this potential concern and/or to pre-emptively verify the extent of these environmental considerations, this task will involve conducting a wetland delineation of the site that will be confirmed with the USACE to accurately identify the boundaries, extents and types of wetlands and waters on the potential future ECF location;
WHEREAS, studies such as the MIR program help to identify possible resiliency opportunities to better protect the health, safety and welfare of surrounding communities as well as the civilian and military community at Langley Air Force Base (LAFB). LAFB, NASA Langley Research Center, the Cities of Hampton, Poquoson, and the County of York, along with multiple stakeholders, will collaborate on resiliency activities, while ensuring the continued presence of the military in the region; and
WHEREAS, the grant award covers the period of April 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia hereby amends the Fiscal Year 2022 Council Approved Budget to (1) accept and appropriate the Military Installation Resiliency (MIR) Project Study Grant in the amount of $156,033, and any supplemental funding, by the Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation to the Grant Fund; (2) approve the transfer of $17,337 from the Watershed Studies project funded by the Stormwater Management Fund in the FY22 Capital Budget to the Grant Fund for a total grant award of $173,370 for the purpose of conducting a Stormwater and Environmental Due Diligence Study and Assessment in accordance with the grant agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City Manager, or her designee, to take the necessary steps to implement this grant award.