4.1. SR 02-15-1993
ITEM 4. 1.
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: WILLIAM RUBIN, ED COORDINATOtJ~
DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 1993
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE PUBLICATION OF FINDINGS
(DTED FUNDS - TESCOM PROJECT)
INTRODUCTION
On February 1, 1993, the Economic Development Coordinator,
acting as the Environmental Certifying Officer, initiated an
Environmental Review-Environmental Assessment of the Tescom
expansion project by requesting comments from various state
agencies, federal agencies, and interested groups, etc.
BACKGROUND
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This Environmental Review relates to the Department of Trade
and Economic Development (DTED) funding a $250,000 Small Cities
Economic Development Program Grant to assist with the Tescom
expansion. Before DTED can commit any of its funds, an
applicant (that is, the City) must complete an Environmental
Review. This review is a requirement of the National
Environmental Policy Act. The review concerns itself with
areas such as historic properties, flood plain management, wet
land protection, endangered species, air quality, etc. Based
on this review, the grantee (that is, the City) makes certain
findings to determine whether or not a significant impact on
the environment, will occur as a result of the DTED-funded
project.
This same process was followed in July and
relative to Tescom's anticipated expansion on
immediately east of its existing facility.
Company is pursuing an alternative site, a
Review was necessitated.
August, 1992,
the vacant lot
Now that the
new Environmental
When the Environmental Review is completed, the grantee is
required to publish a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
and a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI/RROF).
This notice is published in a newspaper of general circulation
and is sent to the same persons and agencies that received the
earlier Environmental Assessment Notice.
.
Based on the lack of comments from the various agencies and
groups, the Environmental Certifying Officer has determined
that Tescom's project on the alternate site will not result in
any adverse impacts.
720 Dodge Avenue N.W., Elk River, Minnesota 55330 (612) 441-7420
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ACTION REQUESTED
Page 2
At its February 15 meeting, the Elk River City Council will be
asked to simultaneously publish the Finding of No Significant
Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Elk River
publication of this notice.
Council
City
authorize
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COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date: February 17, 1993
CITY OF ELK RIVER
720 DODGE AVENUE NW
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
The purpose of this notice is to identify two separate but related actions
to be taken by the City of Elk River.
On or about March 5, 1993, the City named above will request the Division of
Community Development (DCD) , Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic
Development, to release Federal funds under Title I of the Housing and
Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (PL 98-181) for the following
project:
PROJECT TITLE:
PROJECT PURPOSE:
PROJECT LOCATION:
Tescom Corporation, Inc. Expansion
Economic Development Program Loan to Tescom Corporation
City of Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota
Finding of No Significant Impact
It has been determined that such
constitute an action significantly
environment and the above-named
environmental impact statement under
of 1969 (PL 91-190).
request for release of funds will not
affecting the quality of the human
City has decided not to prepare an
the National Environmental Policy Act
The reasons not to prepare such statement are as follows:
1. There will be no negative impacts on the environment as a result of the
project to be undertaken with Small Cities Development Program funds.
2. The project will not affect local, state, or potential historic,
architectural or archeological resources.
3. This project is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and zoning of
the City of Elk River.
4. This project will not displace individuals or families or businesses.
An Environmental Review Record respecting this project has been made by the
City named above that documents the environmental review of the project and
fully sets forth the reasons why such statement is not required. This
Environmental Review Record is on file at the above address and is available
for public examination and copying, upon request at the Elk River City Hall,
720 Dodge Avenue NW, Elk River, Minnesota between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and
4:30 p.m.
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No further environmental review of this project is to be conducted before
the request for release of federal funds.
Public Comments on Finding
All interested agencies, groups and persons disagreeing with this decision
are invited to submit written comments for consideration by the City to the
Elk River City Hall, 720 Dodge Avenue NW, Elk River, Minnesota. Written
comments should be received at this address on or before March 4, 1993. All
comments received will be considered and the City will not request the
release of federal funds or take any administrative action on this project
before the date specified in the preceding sentence.
Release of Funds
The City of Elk River will undertake the project described above with Block
Grant funds from the Division of Community Development (DCD) under Title I
of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The City of Elk River
is certifying to DCD that the City of Elk River and Henry Duitsman, in his
official capacity as Mayor consent to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal
Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to
environmental reviews, decision making and action; and that these
responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification
is that upon its approval the City of Elk River may use Block Grant funds
and DCD and the u.s. Department of Housing and Urban Development will have
satisfied their responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969.
Objections to state Release of Funds
DCD will accept an objection to its approval only if it is on one of the
following bases: (a) that the certification was not executed by the
certifying officer or other officer of grantee approved by DCD; or (b) that
the City of Elk River's environmental review record for the project
indicates omission of a required decision, finding or step applicable to the
project in the environmental review process. Objections must be prepared
and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and
may be addressed to DCD at 500 Metro Square, 121 7th Place East, st. Paul,
Minnesota 55101-2146.
Objections to the release of funds for reasons other than those stated above
will not be considered by DCD. No objection received after March 19, 1993,
will be considered by DCD.
Authorized this 15th day of February, 1993.
William Rubin
Environmental Certifying Officer
720 Dodge Avenue NW
Elk River, MN 55330