Title
Authorization to Apply, Accept, Disburse Funds and Enter into Agreement for Environmental Protection Agency Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant (Ordinance S-51132)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to approve the Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) to submit a grant application in partnership with Unlimited Potential Inc. (UP) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grant (ECJCC), for $20,000,000 to support comprehensive community and place-based approaches to address environmental and climate justice, and if awarded, to execute all contracts and Memorandums of Agreement necessary to accept and disburse the grant funds. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, grant funds in accordance with the terms of the aforementioned grant and agreement.
Report
Summary
The EPA allocated $2 billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to support community-driven projects aimed at bolstering community resilience against environmental and climate challenges. The EPA ECJCC grant is available to fund up to $20,000,000 over three years to support environmental and climate justice activities in disadvantaged communities to address climate challenges and reduce pollution while strengthening communities through thoughtful implementation. The ECJCC grant requires a partnership between municipal government and a community-based organization (CBO). OEP will serve as the lead applicant, with UP to serve as the lead CBO applicant.
OEP and a number of City departments have worked with UP on several projects, and their work within the community is well respected. Since 1985, UP has addressed the needs of underserved populations in Maricopa County. UP’s mission is to ignite unity, pride, and dignity through education and advocacy and to provide equitable opportunities grounded in acceptance and respect, promoting strong individuals, families, and communities. UP has four priority areas: Adult Education, Environmental Justice, Disease Control and Prevention, and Healthy Living. UP’s mission, work, and priorities align with the ECJCC grant.
In collaboration with UP, OEP will submit the $20,000,000 grant application to fund the following project components within disadvantaged census tracts in South Mountain Village Planning and Maryvale Village Planning areas:
- Urban Forestry and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Workforce Development. Train individuals from disadvantaged census tracts in South Mountain and Maryvale Village Planning areas in tree planting and maintenance, GSI implementation, site planning and site design to support tree plantings and GSI features in selected project areas to promote green job development, promote water conservation, reduce water and air pollution, and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
- Business Development Training. Train individuals from disadvantaged census tracts in South Mountain and Maryvale Village Planning areas that includes mentorship and education in financial literacy, accounting marketing, sales, and risk management for individuals interested in pursuing forestry, agri-forestry, agri-scaping, GSI, and other green business opportunities.
- PhxCAN (Connected Active Neighborhoods) Quick-build Projects. Implement projects within disadvantaged census tracts in South Mountain and Maryvale Village Planning areas that incorporate components, such as traffic calming features, bike lanes, chilled water stations, trees, manufactured shade, and micro-mobility to improve connectivity and walkability to community assets, including schools, community centers, parks, and public transportation. PhxCan quick-build projects will be completed with collaboration from the Street Transportation Department, the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, and the Office of Innovation.
For this grant, UP will manage urban forestry workforce development training and projects, business development training, conduct community engagement throughout the grant for all grant projects, and coordinate with OEP and City departments on the GSI workforce development and PhxCan projects.
Additional Collaborating Project Entities
In addition to UP and City departments, the following organizations will aid in implementing the aforementioned project components:
- Arizona Conservation Corps. - provide urban forestry training and workforce development.
- Cartwright School District - provide land for urban/agri-forestry project.
- HustlePHX - provide business development training and resources.
- Orchard Learning Center - provide expertise and mentorship in urban forestry projects.
- South Mountain Community College - host GSI training courses.
- Trees Matter - identify private land for urban forestry and GSI implementation projects.
- Watershed Management Group - provide GSI curriculum and certification.
Grant applications are being received and announced by EPA on a rolling basis through Nov. 21, 2024. OEP intends to submit a grant application in July 2024. The grant will be managed by the OEP.
Procurement Information
Services may be procured, as needed, in accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10.
Contract Term
The grant term is three years.
Financial Impact
The EPA is providing grant funding. No match or general fund dollars are required for this grant.
Location
The projects are within disadvantaged census tracts in South Mountain and Maryvale Village Planning areas.
Council Districts: 4. 5, 7, and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Office of Environmental Programs.