Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an interlocal agreement with the Capital Area Council of Governments to expand air quality data monitoring programs to implement the United States Environmental Protection Agency Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded to the City, for a five year term with an optional two year renewal, in an amount not to exceed $250,000. Funding: $250,000 is available in the Capital Budget of the Transportation and Public Works Department.
De
Lead Department
Transportation and Public Works Department
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $250,000 is available in the Transportation and Public Works Department’s Capital Budget. A fiscal note is attached.
Prior Council Action:
March 21, 2024 - Resolution No. 20240321-030, authorizing submittal of an application for the 2024 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant administered by the EPA, in support of Transportation Demand Management programs related to commute alternatives during multiple extended infrastructure construction projects in Austin and Travis County, was approved on an 11-0 vote.
October 24, 2024 - Ordinance No. 20241024-042, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Transportation and Public Works Department Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate grant funds from the EPA in the amount of $47,854,062 and amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Transportation and Public Works Department Capital Budget (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to transfer in and appropriate $47,854,062 for Mobility Hub projects and regional mobility education, was approved on an 11-0 vote.
For More Information:
Richard Mendoza, Director, 512-974-2488; Upal Barua, Assistant Director, 512-974-7110; Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, 503-789-5616; Gilda Powers, Quality Consultant, 512-974-7092.
Additional Backup Information:
The City and the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), along with other partners, collaborated on a grant proposal for transportation demand management improvements through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG). The proposed project was selected for a CPRG grant for up to $47,854,062 in Federal financial assistance. A portion of this funding will be spent by CAPCOG, according to the terms of the interlocal agreement (ILA).
CAPCOG, a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), brings history of regional transportation planning and institutional relationships and plays a lead role in implementing the region’s existing air quality monitoring program.
On June 24, 2024, CAPCOG signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) confirming its intent to support the City of Austin’s application for a regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program through the CPRG Program, and committed in the grant application to lead the implementation of additional air quality monitors and air quality analysis in the region to help identify where additional TDM interventions are needed to support behavior change. As a result, CAPCOG will lead implementation of CPRG Task 2.5. The ILA for Council’s consideration would solidify and update the terms of the MOA based on the latest information.
CAPCOG will include analysis of data from up to 100 new air quality monitors (AQM), as well as a wearable Air Quality Index (AQI) monitor pilot program. A wearable AQI monitor is a device that an individual wears/carries to measure air quality in their surroundings. It’s a portable monitor that allows the owners to read data from more than one location. This data will be used to assess the success of TDM measures and plan future TDM improvements, with a focus on monitoring air quality near schools and idling lines.
Up to one hundred (100) AQMs with power supply is estimated to cost approximately $43,000. Another $22,000 is estimated over the five-year period for installation costs (labor) and annual maintenance of up to one hundred new monitors.
Air quality data reporting and analysis is estimated to cost up to $25,000 per year for a total of $100,000, and the wearable AQI monitor pilot project will cost up to $21,250 per year for a total of $85,000 over the program’s four-year analysis period. Therefore, contractual and supplies budgets combine for an amount not to exceed $250,000.