STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Environmental & Sustainability
AGENDA DATE: June 22, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 1, 6 (75211, 75212)
DEPARTMENT: Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability
EXECUTIVE: M. Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira
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SUBJECT
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Authorize the (1) acceptance of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement (SEJCA) (Grant No. AJ-02F05001, CFDA No. 66.312) grant in the amount of $200,000.00 to purchase and deploy non-regulatory air monitoring equipment in up to five (5) neighborhoods in the 75211 and 75212 zip codes, for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2023; (2) receipt and deposit of funds in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 in the EPA State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Fund; (3) establishment of appropriations in an amount not to exceed $200,000.00 in the EPA State Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Fund (4) execution of the grant agreement with the EPA and all terms, conditions, and documents required by the agreement; and (5) coordination of initiatives, activities and partnerships necessary to fully implement the goals set forth in the SEJCA Grant Work Plan; (6) and execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Subrecipient Agreements between the City and the sub-recipients of this grant (Texas A&M University - Transportation Institute, Center for Applied Research (TAMU-TTI-CARTEEH), Children’s Health (Children’s), and Positive Breathing - Asthma Chasers (PB-AC) - Not to exceed $200,000.00 - Financing: EPA SEJCA Grant Funds
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BACKGROUND
The Data-Driven Air Quality Outreach Pilot Project (Project) was developed in order to fulfill one of the air-quality and environmental equity focused actions set forth in the Comprehensive Environmental & Climate Action Plan (CECAP) that the Dallas City Council adopted in May 2020. The CECAP is a comprehensive roadmap that outlines the specific activities that the City plans to undertake to improve quality of life for all residents, to reduce GHG emissions, to prepare communities for the impacts of climate change, and to create a healthier and more prosperous community. The plan proposes 97 actions across eight sectors, and is designed to be revenue neutral, using existing budgets, partnerships, and funding mechanisms to support implementation.
This project is intended to meet the actions in the Air Quality sector of this plan to “partner with non-profits and schools to develop and implement non-regulatory monitors in neighborhoods.”
Dallas has developed bold, long-term strategies to address climate change, environmental equity and current non-attainment status for ground-level ozone.
The Project entails acquiring, calibrating and deploying air quality sensors to five locations, followed by an evaluation of data, and development and deployment of public health outreach and engagement by public health personnel to the affected areas. To this end, the Project seeks to deploy non-regulatory air quality monitoring equipment in up to five neighborhoods, selected through correlation of higher rates of asthma, COVID-19, and other cardio-pulmonary disease, and environmental justice demographic data. From review of City demographic datasets and the EPA’s Environmental Justice EJScreen screening tool, these areas may include, but not be limited to the 75211 and 75212 zip codes, in Dallas, Texas.
The air quality sensor equipment will be field-calibrated to the existing TCEQ regulatory air quality monitoring station at Hinton Street (# C401/C60/AH161). The City has developed and tested a data platform that allows cellphone-enabled data collection and secure data sharing that may be used to support this project. The monitoring data will be obtained for a 20-month timeframe.
These data will be used by the Project public health partners (Children’s Health, Parkland Health & Hospital Systems, and Positive Breathing along with input from West Dallas 1) to develop appropriate bilingual outreach and education materials. Public health educators will use these materials in Project area schools, churches, and other community locations to provide salient health information to the affected residents.
Project outcomes include assessing non-regulatory monitors consistent with the June 22, 2020 Anne Isdale Memorandum from the USEPA on the use of non-regulatory air quality sensors, assessing efficacy of using neighborhood-scale air quality data to direct public health initiatives, guiding development of the Community Health Needs Assessment and related public policy, supporting improved public health outcomes for the residents, and building a greater awareness and understanding of the nexus between emissions, air quality and health. As a pilot project, the results may be used to expand the program to other City areas with environmental justice concerns, and to guide similar approaches in other cities of the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On August 8, 2018, City Council adopted the Resilient Dallas Plan that outlines actions towards addressing equity, resilience, economic mobility, healthy communities, and environmental sustainability by Resolution No. 18-1026.
On September 18, 2018, City Council authorized the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability to develop a comprehensive environmental and climate action plan by Resolution No. 18-1337.
On January 23, 2019, City Council adopted a resolution calling for federal action on climate change and continued local efforts to develop a comprehensive environmental and climate plan with goals that will ensure that the City of Dallas is addressing the environment and climate change in a manner that is effective and equitable through Resolution No. 19-0223, and using funding appropriated under Resolution No. 14-0564, also known as Chapter 9C, Carryout Bags, in the Dallas City Code.
On May 27, 2020, City Council adopted the Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan by Resolution No. 20-0688.
On August 3, 2020, the Environment and Sustainability Committee was briefed regarding this matter; however, an update on grant selection and Project status will be provided to the Environment & Sustainability Committee on September 7, 2021.
FISCAL INFORMATION
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Fund |
FY22 |
FY23 |
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EPA SEJCA Grant Funds |
$200,000.00 |
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