DEPARTMENT: Health Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Dr. Nathan R. Vincent
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Lake Calaveras Grant Funding for FY 2017
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the acceptance of additional funds upon award in an amount up to $82,492.37 for a total not to exceed $132,329.31 from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Lake Calaveras through direct funding grants and contracts for public health functions of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) for a period beginning September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017, and authorizes the addition of one position to the proposed personnel complement for the maintenance and delivery of essential public health services within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) PM 2.5 and Lake Calaveras grants. This position will participate in all three air monitoring efforts, particulate matter, ozone and whole air.
The City Manager or her designee, or the Director of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District or his designee is authorized execute contract amendments pertaining to this grant contract, to include amendments which will provide supplemental grant funds to the grant by the funding agency in an amount up to 20% of the total amount awarded to the grant inclusive of the additional funds accepted under this ordinance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As the public health authority for Bexar County, Metro Health actively addresses the public health functions of policy development, health assessment, and health assurance. To carry out these responsibilities, Metro Health operates evidenced based programs in various settings throughout the County.
The Public Center for Environmental Health (PCEH) was established to protect the environment of residents in San Antonio. Since air quality has a potential health impact, air monitoring and follow up measures to address the problems identified are important public health efforts.
The DHS and TCEQ have contracted with the City for PCEH to manage three local air monitoring efforts. Through these efforts, PCEH operates, maintains and validates data from air particulate matter monitors, operates three continuous air monitoring stations that measure ozone, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide as well as associated meteorological parameters.
Metro Health receives approximately 36% of its total budget support through contract and grant awards from the State of Texas in both direct funding and federal pass-through funding. Metro Health will receive approximately $82,492.37 in additional funding for a total not to exceed $132,329.31 for the TCEQ Lake Calaveras grant through this ordinance.
ISSUE:
Historically, the State of Texas has provided funding to the City of San Antonio for service delivery in health and disease prevention. Currently, this includes two program grants and contracts through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
State funding opportunities are often presented in a time-sensitive manner, requiring the ability to initiate and execute amendments and subsequent awards within prescribed time constraints. Approval of this ordinance allows for a proactive and efficient process for the timely execution of annual state funding.
Acceptance of annual support from the State of Texas continues the long-standing practice of utilizing State aid to support local public health programs of the City.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approval of this ordinance will facilitate the efficient acceptance of additional grant funds from the state and lead to seamless continuity of Metro Health services.
Should the acceptance of additional funding not be authorized, Metro Health will forgo an opportunity to benefit from additional programmatic supportive funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Acceptance of this funding will not impact the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the ordinance authorizing the acceptance of additional funds from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Lake Calaveras grant and authorizes the addition of one position to the existing personnel complement within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) PM 2.5 and Lake Calaveras grants for a period beginning September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017.