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<br />Option #3: Use the ERF for an environmental response in priority areas that other. <br />funds do not cover. <br /> <br />Description: DTED and the Metropolitan Council currently fund projects that <br />demonstrate job growth and economic activity, but certain types of projects are either not <br />eligible or receive low rankings, such as housing or redevelopment of recreational land or <br />green space. The County could fund projects that fill these gaps, and designate the ERF <br />for projects/programs in which there is a need, but little available funding. The ERF <br />could be distributed either through grant agreements, or be used for existing County <br />programs. <br /> <br />Examples: <br />a. Healthy Homes <br />The Connty could dedicate funds to an assessment, cvaluation and rehabilitation <br />program that reduces the environmental risk in homes occupied by low-income <br />children. These children may have elevated blood lead levels, suffering from <br />symptoms as a result of exposure to molds, or diagnosed with asthma. The County <br />currently carries out these activities in Saint Paul for the rehabilitation of homes with <br />lead contamination, using federal HUD grant funds matched with City PED and <br />homeowner funds. These funds will not be available after 2004, but the need will <br />continue in Saint Paul. Further, there are no activities in the suburban area, even <br />though there are eligible homes. The increasing incidence of asthma is a public health <br />issue that is related to the environmental condition of homes. ERF funds could be <br />used to administer and rehabilitate bousing shown to have environmental problems <br />and health consequences. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />b. Brownfields to Greenfields <br />The ERF could be used for remediation of contamination on lands that could be <br />converted to greenspace or recreational land. Neither DTED nor the Metropolitan <br />Council funds these types of projects, because they typically do not produce jobs or <br />tax revenue. <br /> <br />Pros: <br />. Environmental problems without a funding source for mitigation could be addressed. <br />. There are gaps in funding for public property, non-profit property, projects that do not <br />create jobs, and housing. Thc Connty's efforts could compliment existing State and <br />Federal funding by filling such gaps. <br />. The fund could serve as a match to secure many other federal and state resources <br />which require a match <br />. When directed to housing, the County could address the quality of existing housing <br />stock as well as public health concerns for children. <br />. When directed to recreationalland/greenspace, the County could address a funding <br />gap, a quality oflife, and a public health issue (exercise). <br />. Significant projects, which have a countywide property tax impact, could be <br />completed sooner and returned to the tax roles. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />3 <br />