Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Natural Resources Division
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE Grant Agreement 5A-02D50923-0 between U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, to provide funding for the Particulate Matter Monitoring Program to purchase equipment to monitor ambient air quality in the amount of $38,994, inclusive of a partially retroactive reimbursement period from June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2026; and to authorize the County Administrator to execute the Grant Agreement and any amendments that do not increase the financial obligation of the County, subject to review for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, and to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to allocate and implement the grant and any subsequent partial awards.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the Natural Resources Division’s Ambient Air Monitoring Fund in the amount of $38,994 for the purpose of recognizing Inflation Reduction Act - Clean Air Act grant funds received from EPA.
ACTION: (T-10:35 AM) Approved Resolution No. 2023-493.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Fisher voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
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Why Action is Necessary
Section 125.01(1)(p), Florida Statutes, authorizes the Board to enter into agreements with other governmental agencies. Board action is required to accept the Grant Agreement and recognize the award within the Natural Resources Division’s budget.
What Action Accomplishes
This action provides funding for air quality program support in Broward County and allows for the appropriation of this funding.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the County Commission’s Value of building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives; and the Goal of ensuring accessible, seamlessly integrated investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices, manufacturing, resilient infrastructure, and environmental protection.
The Air Quality Program is a federal and state approved local air quality program responsible for protecting and improving air quality in Broward County, in accordance with state and federal regulations. The IRA - CAA grant was awarded by the U.S. EPA (Exhibit 1).
Motion A accepts Grant Agreement 5A-02D50923-0 for a three-year period from June 1, 2023, through May 31, 2026. Approval, inclusive of retroactive reimbursement period, is being requested because the grant award was not received from the U.S. EPA until October 25, 2023. Based on the terms in the Notice of Award section, a Broward County signature is not required to accept the award. Motion B adopts a budget Resolution for the award under this Agreement in the amount of $38,994 (Exhibit 2).
The County Air Program has been supported by the U.S. EPA Section 103 grant since 1998. The program implements the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The grant agreement funds will enhance monitoring of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and other National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) pollutants. The County will use the funds to purchase a Magee Scientific AE33 to monitor reductions in the concentration of black carbon (a surrogate for diesel emissions) through the implementation of the IRA to fund zero-emission equipment and technology. Grant funds will also be used to further train Air Program staff in the use of the Agilaire LLC data logging system. Because a federal agency is funding the Grant Agreement, the County's standard terms are not included. However, the Grant Agreement was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget Grant Section and approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
Source of Additional Information
Monica Pognon, Director, Natural Resources Division, (954) 519-1476.
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
This action will allocate $38,994 for procurement of equipment associated with the U.S. EPA IRA-CAA grant award. The U.S. EPA will initially provide $38,994 and may make additional awards up to $43,994 over the three-year grant period. The Grant Agreement does not require the County to match or cost share any funds.