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El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board, acting as the AQMD Board of Directors, approve and authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to sign Agreement 3300 (MOU E2018011), a three-year agreement with Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District to support the regional Spare the Air Campaign, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $15,683.22.
FUNDING: Motor vehicle registration fees.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
AQMD recommends the Board authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to sign Agreement 3300 (MOU E2018011) with Sacramento Metropolitan AQMD (SMAQMD) providing monetary support to the regional Spare the Air Campaign through 2021.
BACKGROUND
The Sacramento region, including western El Dorado County, is designated as a severe non-attainment area for the federal 1997 and 2008 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the federal Clean Air Act. To comply with the designation requirements, the region developed and implements a State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is designed to ensure the region will attain the 1997 NAAQS in 2018 and the 2008 NAAQS in 2025. One of the SIP commitments is a coordinated, regional education and outreach effort known as the Spare the Air program.
The Spare the Air program reduces motor vehicle emissions vehicles through public education and the issuance of Air Alerts to promote behavior changes, such as driving reduction, when air quality is forecast to be unhealthy due to high ozone levels. The Spare the Air program, combined with the other ozone SIP measures, has contributed to the declining ozone trend in El Dorado County and the region.
Under California Health and Safety Code Section 44220 et.seq (AB 2766), on March 15, 1994, by Board Resolution #79-94, a $4 motor vehicle registration fee was imposed to fund El Dorado County’s responsibilities under the California Clean Air Act. These funds are for programs and projects that reduce motor vehicle emissions and related planning, monitoring, enforcement and technical studies. The other air districts in the region (Sacramento, Yolo/Solano, Feather River and Placer) also provide program support.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
On October 17, 2006, with Agenda item 06-1664, the Board approved agreement E2006015 with SMAQMD. This agreement provided $18,601 to support the Spare the Air Program in 2006 and 2007.
On September 16, 2008, with Agenda item 08-1237, the Board approved agreement E2008006 with SMAQMD. This agreement provided $11,920 to support the Spare the Air Program in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
On June 23, 2009, with Agenda item 09-0547, the Board approved agreement 003-DMV-09/10-BOS with the El Dorado County Transit Authority. This agreement provided $47,335 for free public transit on declared Spare the Air days during 2010. Under this agreement the AQMD contributed $3,381.07 per day, for each Spare the Air day. During 2010, six Spare the Air Days were declared.
On June 4, 2013, with Agenda Item 13-0548, the Board approved agreement E2012022 with SMAQMD. The agreement provided $7,000 to support the Spare the Air Program in 2014.
On November 17, 2014, with Agenda Item 14-1460, the Board approved agreement E20114014 with SMAQMD. The agreement provided $6,218 to support the Spare the Air Program in 2015.
On January 12, 2016, with Agenda Item 15-1449, the Board approved agreement E2015023 with SMAQMD. The agreement provided $15,683.22 to support the Spare the Air Program in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives the Board may take instead of approving the recommendation include: Not approving the agreement. This alternative would leave air districts in Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, Sutter, Yuba and Placer Counties to support the program without contribution from El Dorado County.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
None
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
AQMD's Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction program is funded by motor vehicle registration fees. The proposed agreement with SMAQMD supports the program goals and has a total cost of $15,683.22. AQMD's adopted Fiscal Year 2018/19 budget includes sufficient funding for the first year of the three-year agreement. If the agreement is approved, future proposed budgets will include the remaining contributions. There is no net County cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk to obtain signed minute order and provide copy to AQMD.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
This agreement supports the Healthy Communities strategic plan goal.
CONTACT
Dave Johnston
Air Pollution Control Officer