REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
BY: CHANELL WEST, Senior Management Analyst
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the submission of a grant application of up to $20 million to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change Grant Program to conduct climate action and pollution reduction projects and authorizing the City Manager or designee to sign all related documents on behalf of the City.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommend that the City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for a grant of up to $20 million from the EPA’s Community Change Grant Program to conduct climate action and pollution reduction projects and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the grant agreement and sign all related documents on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The PARCS Department is seeking grant funding from the EPA to conduct climate action and pollution reduction projects. The Community Change Grant (CCG) Program funds community-driven projects that address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities.
BACKGROUND
In November 2023, the EPA released a notice of funding opportunity for the CCG Program. The CCG Program is funded by $1.9 billion appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In July 2024, the EPA announced the first round of funded grants, totaling around $400 million. Approximately $1.5 billion remains available for awards. The funds are designated to be used for climate action and pollution reduction activities, including projects like green infrastructure; energy-efficient buildings; microgrid installations; community resilience hubs; brownfield redevelopment; indoor and outdoor air quality improvements; and clean water infrastructure.
The EPA is offering grants of $10 million to $20 million for these purposes. Grant proposals are due November 21, 2024. CCG Program-funded projects are required to serve geographic areas that are ranked as “disadvantaged” by the EPA’s Disadvantaged Communities Environmental and Climate Justice Program Map, which includes most census tracts in Southeast, Southwest, and Central Fresno.
PARCS is seeking approval to apply for grant funding to conduct climate action and pollution reduction projects that support community resilience and climate adaptation. Grant funding would be used for climate resilience activities, including investments in facility reconstruction; community education; air quality education; provision of air filtration and monitoring supplies; and/or promotion of clean transportation.
As part of this proposal, the EPA requires all applicants to partner with at least one 501c3 nonprofit organization (referred to as a statutory partner) and to submit a signed Partnership Agreement between the parties with the grant application. PARCS is in the process of seeking qualified organization(s) to partner with the City on this grant proposal and subsequent project. On October 18, 2024, 2024 PARCS released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) solicitation. The RFQ is scheduled to close on November 4, 2024. The selected partner(s) would be responsible for working with the City to provide community outreach, engagement, education, and/or climate resilience services to community members. The resolution authorizing this grant application also authorizes the City Manager to enter into no-cost partnership agreements for the purposes of the grant application. Any funding for partners is contingent upon receipt of a grant award. If awarded funding, partnership agreements would be brought back to Council for approval.
This item has been reviewed by Risk and the City Attorney’s Office
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This action applying for a grant application is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable since this item will not include a bid or award for a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no match requirements and no impacts to the General Fund. If awarded funding, staff will return to Council to appropriate grant funding into the budget. Any Partnership Agreement(s) entered into for the purposes of the grant application will be no-cost agreements. If awarded funding, subrecipient partnership agreements will be brought back to Council for approval.
Attachments:
Resolution
Template Partnership Agreement