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PROPOSAL:

Recognize and Appropriate Additional Funds from EPA for PM_2.5 Program

SYNOPSIS:

EPA has allocated an additional $125,760 in Section 103 Grant funds for the second year of the PM_2.5 monitoring program. This action is to recognize these funds from EPA upon receipt, and appropriate these funds to the FY 1998-99 Budget for the PM_2.5 program.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, December 18, 1998, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

1. Recognize $125,760 in revenue from EPA Section 103 Grant funds for the PM_2.5 program.

2. Upon receipt of the grant, appropriate $125,760 from the Undesignated Fund Balance to the Monitoring & Analysis FY 1998-99 Budget, as follows: Staff Salaries and Benefits, $55,000; Fixed Asset Major Object, $56,400; and Services and Supplies Major Object, $14,360.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

On December 11, 1998, the Governing Board recognized and appropriated $505,125 in EPA Section 103 Grant funds for the PM_2.5 "core" monitoring program. Subsequent to this grant, EPA has increased funds for the second year of PM_2.5 monitoring program with an additional $125,760. These additional funds will be used to purchase one new "core" monitoring device, and to procure and operate at least three continuous PM_2.5 monitors. The continuous monitors will be used primarily to support PM_2.5 forecasting and public notifications of current conditions. Earlier this year, EPA gave the AQMD initial Section 103 Grant funds in the amount of $176,400 for the initial phase of the program to be carried out during the remainder of calendar year 1998. The Board recognized those funds at its July, 1998 Board meeting. So far for FY 1998-99, EPA has allocated a total of $807,285 for the operational and maintenance costs, including staffing for the PM_2.5 network. An additional grant to fund the speciation portion of the program is expected around March 1999.

Use of Funding

Under the Section 103 Grant program, funds can only be used for the purpose intended. In this case, the grant amount of $126,760 will be used to purchase PM_2.5 monitoring equipment, and to support the operation and maintenance of the "core" and continuous monitors.

Proposal

Staff proposes that the Board recognize from EPA and appropriate to the FY 1998-99 Budget, an additional $125,760 for the PM_2.5 program, as described below:

Fiscal Impacts

These grant funds are a supplement to the FY 1998-99 Budget, and as such have no negative impact on the budget. The current grant provides full funding for AQMD’s responsibilities under the new PM_2.5 monitoring program for "core" and continuous monitors. It should be noted, however, for the mandated PM_2.5 program, AQMD has no assurance that EPA will continue to provide sufficient funding in subsequent years, and should sufficient funding not occur, staff will need to consider either reducing the level of the program, or readjusting the existing resources to meet program commitments.

Since the receipt of funds by the AQMD constitutes a budget supplement within the definition of Health and Safety Code Section 40720(j), public notice of this proposed supplement was published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Riverside Press Enterprise, Orange County Register, San Bernardino Sun, and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

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