Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Leonard Vialpando
Department: Resilient Environment Division: Natural Resources Division
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO ACCEPT retroactively U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) American Rescue Plan Cooperative Agreement 02D26122 (grant award), in the amount of $149,250, to provide funding for the County’s Particulate Matter Monitoring Program from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2024, and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the grant.
(A member of the public pulled this item from the Consent Agenda.)
ACTION: (T-10:52 AM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 7-0. Commissioner Bogen voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Moskowitz was not present.
B. MOTION TO ADOPT budget Resolution within the U.S. EPA Section 103 Grant Fund for the Natural Resources Division in the amount of $149,250 for the purpose of protecting and improving air quality in Broward County.
(A member of the public pulled this item from the Consent Agenda.)
ACTION: (T-10:52 AM) Approved Resolution No. 2022-490. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 7-0. Commissioner Bogen voted in the affirmative telephonically. Commissioner Moskowitz 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 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 air quality program support 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. The American Rescue Plan grant award is funded by the U.S. EPA (Exhibit 1).
Motion A accepts the grant award for a two-year period from August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2024. Retroactive approval is being requested because the grant award was not received from the U.S. EPA until August 6, 2022. 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 grant award in the amount of $149,250 (Exhibit 2).
The County Air Program has been supported by the U.S. EPA Section 103 grant since 1998. The program includes implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The American Rescue Plan cooperative agreement (grant) intends to enhance monitoring of Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and other National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) pollutants. Funds will be used to upgrade NAAQS gas monitors and monitoring sites. Because the County is a recipient of funds from a federal agency under this agreement, the County's standard terms are not included. However, this agreement has been provided final legal review and approval as to form by the Office of the County Attorney.
This grant award was approved by the Office of Management and Budget.
Source of Additional Information
Monica K. Pognon, Director, Natural Resources Division, (954) 519-1476
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
This action will allocate $149,250 for procurement of equipment associated with the U.S. EPA American Rescue Plan grant award. Funding will be provided by the U.S. EPA in the amount of $149,250 over the two-year grant period. A County match is not required.