Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Natural Resources Division
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO APPROVE U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cooperative Agreement 06OHBIO00013-17-00 (grant) in the amount of $354,358 to provide funding for the BioWatch monitoring program in Broward County retroactively from May 1, 2022 - April 30, 2023 and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the grant.
ACTION: (T-10:22 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the DHS Grant Fund for the Natural Resources Division in the amount of $354,358 to recognize revenues for the purpose of field sampling and collection under the BioWatch Program.
ACTION: (T-10:22 AM) Approved Resolution No. 2022-326.
VOTE: 9-0.
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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 for Agreement approval to accept the grant award, and to recognize the award within the Resilient Environment Department.
What Action Accomplishes
This action provides funding for the ambient air monitoring support for the BioWatch Program from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 in Broward County and allows for the appropriation of this funding.
Is this Action Goal Related
Yes
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’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 Natural Resources Division implements a federally and state approved local air pollution control program responsible for protecting and improving air quality in Broward County.
Motion A accepts the Cooperative Agreement (grant) from the period of May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 (Exhibit 1). Retroactive approval is being requested because the grant award was not received from DHS until May 1, 2022.
Motion B adopts a budget Resolution for the award under this agreement in the amount of $354,358 (Exhibit 2).
Broward County 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.
Because 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 amendment has been provided legal review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
This Cooperative Agreement (grant) was approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
Source of Additional Information
Stephanie Molloy, PhD, Director, Natural Resources Division, (954) 519-1436
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The grant agreement total approved funding is $354,358. This action will allocate $354,358 for the performance period of May 1, 2022 through April 30, 2023 for activities associated with the BioWatch Program. A County match is not required.