HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated November 12, 2024ITEM #:29
DATE:11-12-24
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:EPA ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE COMMUNITY CHANGE
GRANT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MID-IOWA COMMUNITY ACTION
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
In November 2023, the Biden-Harris administration announced the availability of approximately $2
billion in funding to support environmental efforts across the nation. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA) Community Change Grant opportunities are intended to invest in environmental
justice initiatives that will advance community collaborative efforts towards creating a heathier and
safer future particularly for disadvantaged communities that historically have been underinvested and
overburdened by pollution.
With the addition of the full-time Sustainability Coordinator, staff is requesting that the City, in
partnership with Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA), apply for the Community Change Grant in the
amount of $10,000,000-$15,000,000. The City will be lead applicant (responsible for overall
management, performance, oversight, and reporting responsibilities under the grant) and MICA
will be the community-based partner.
MICA has extensive experience assisting low-to-moderate income homeowners with weatherization
efforts (examples include replacing inefficient or dangerous appliances, insulating homes, installing
low-flow shower heads and faucets, insulating pipes, installing efficient lightbulbs and more) to make
their homes more energy efficient, safe, and comfortable. MICA also administers LIHEAP (energy
assistance) to low-income families to ensure they have access to basic needs like heat and energy in
times of crisis. Furthermore, MICA understands that low-income or disadvantaged families can face a
variety of challenges, and, therefore, provides additional wrap-around services such as family
development support services.
The Community Change Grant applications are due on November 21, 2024. City staff is seeking
authorization to apply for the grant. If the grant is awarded, City staff will be requesting City
Council's authority to receive the grant award at a later date.
At this time, staff is still working with MICA to complete the details of the proposed program.
However, the following EPA climate action and pollution reduction strategies will be included:
Climate Action Strategies:
Strategy 1: Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions
Strategy 2: Energy-Efficient, Healthy, and Resilient Housing and Buildings
Strategy 3: Workforce Development Programs for Occupations that Reduce Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Air Pollutants
Pollution Reduction Strategies:
Strategy 1: Indoor Air Quality and Community Health Improvements
Strategy 2: Clean Water Infrastructure to Reduce Pollution Exposure and Increase Overall
System Resilience
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Strategy 3: Safe Management and Disposal of Solid and Hazardous Waste
In 2023, MICA served 528 LIHEAP clients, where 107 were homeowners. In 2024, MICA served 493
LIHEAP clients where 98 were homeowners. In 2023, the priority list for weatherization in Ames
included 336 households in Ames, where 90 were homeowners that would qualify.
As City staff and MICA continue to build out the application and proposed programs, staff will be
seeking out additional partners to accomplish the strategies above. These partners may include:
Iowa State University Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) and Office of
Sustainability
Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Board
CyRide and other transportation partners
Child Care Resource & Referral and other childcare partners
Prairie Rivers of Iowa
The grant funds must be expended within three years. In addition, the grant must primarily benefit
disadvantaged communities as defined by the EPA (see attachment).
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize the City, in partnership with MICA, to apply for the EPA Environmental and Climate
Justice Community Change Grant in the amount of $10,000,000-$15,000,000.
2. Do not authorize the City to apply for the grant.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
If the EPA Community Change Grant is awarded, the City will be positioned to make substantial
progress in implementing the Climate Action Plan, specifically in the follow Climate Action Plan
Big Moves: Building Retrofits and Renewable Energy Generation. Furthermore, the grant
application directly reflects the Council's goals of valuing environmental sustainability and
valuing a diverse, equitable and inclusive community. This grant will specifically target assisting
low-to-moderate income households as well as supporting disadvantaged communities that are
underinvested in and overburdened by pollution. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City
Manager that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as described above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Disadvantaged Ames Block Groups.pdf
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