Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Environmental Protection Division: Environmental Engineering & Permitting
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO APPROVE retroactively U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cooperative Agreement 06OHBIO00013-16-00 (grant) in the amount of $337,611, to provide funding for the BioWatch monitoring program in Broward County from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022, and authorizing the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the grant.
ACTION: (T-11:41 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution No. 2021-327 within the DHS Grant Fund for the Environmental Engineering and Permitting Division in the amount of $337,611, to recognize revenues for the purpose of field sampling and collection under the BioWatch Program.
ACTION: (T-11:41 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
body
Why Action is Necessary
Motion A. Section 125.01(1)p, Florida Statutes, authorizes the Board to enter into agreements with other governmental agencies. Board action is required for Agreement approval to accept the grant award.
Motion B. Budgetary actions which recognize revenue within the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department require the approval of the Board of County Commissioners.
What Action Accomplishes
Motion A. This action provides funding for the ambient air monitoring support for the BioWatch Program from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.
Motion B. Adopts a budget Resolution for the award under this agreement in the amount of $337,611.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
Previous Action Taken
None taken.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND PERMITTING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the County’s value of “Encouraging investments in renewable energy, sustainable practices and environmental protection” and Goal 1: “Seek funding for, implement policies and pursue projects promoting the use of alternative energies and sustainable practices.”
The effective period of the Cooperative Agreement (Exhibit 1) is from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022. Retroactive approval is being requested because the grant award was not received from DHS until April 30, 2021. The Budget Resolution (Exhibit 2) for the award under this agreement is in the amount of $337,611.
The Environmental Engineering and Permitting Division implements a federally and state approved local air pollution control program responsible for protecting and improving air quality in Broward County. The objective of the BioWatch monitoring program is to detect releases of biological agents into the atmosphere through frequent air sampling and analysis. Broward County has been funded to participate in the National BioWatch Monitoring Program since March 2003.
As the County is a recipient of funds from a federal agency under this agreement, the County’s standard terms are not included. Moreover, the agreement imposes both a Quarterly Federal Financial Report requirement and an Annual Performance Report requirement on the County. However, this agreement was approved as to form by the Office of the County Attorney. This grant was reviewed and approved by the Grants Office.
Source of Additional Information
David Vanlandingham, Director, Environmental Engineering and Permitting Division, (954) 519-1478
Stephanie Molloy, Director, Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division, (954) 519-1436
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
There is no cost to the County; a County match is not required.