Title
Authorizing the City to accept a $313,907.46 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act through Environmental Initiative for the purpose of advancing clean and renewable energy in order to improve public air quality for the protection of human health; and authorizing a corresponding budget amendment.
Body
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul City Council and Mayor Melvin Carter are dedicated to making Saint Paul one of the most sustainable cities in the United States and to protecting our city’s air, water, and urban landscape; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) coordinates “The Clean Diesel Program” which provides support for projects that protect human health and improve air quality by reducing harmful emissions from diesel engines and provides grants and rebates funded under the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA); and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul partnered with the Environmental Initiative, a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships to develop collaborative solutions to Minnesota’s environmental problems, on an application to the EPA’s DERA program; and
WHEREAS, the City has been awarded $313,907.46 of grant funding, which has been distributed through Environmental Initiative and will directly offset the cost of replacing identified vehicles, thus reducing the City’s cost for their replacement; and
WHEREAS, by replacing this equipment with cleaner and more fuel-efficient ones, there will be significant lifetime reduction of nitrogen oxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbon, and carbon monoxide reductions, and help protect human health; and
WHEREAS, the City Council authorized the City to apply for and execute a grant agreement, which includes an indemnification clause, as outlined in RES 17-1930 and RES 18-674; and
WHEREAS, the City Council authorized the City to accept $210,750 from this grant in 2019, as outlined in RES PH 19-405; and
WHEREAS, the financing and spending plans have not been established for the reimbursement; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor pursuant to Section 10.07.1 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriations funds of $313,907.46 in excess of those estimated in the 2020 budget; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the City Council, that:
1) the City is authorized to accept the above-mentioned funds; and
2) $313,907.46 is available for appropriation in the 2020 budget, and said budget, as heretofore adopted by Council, is hereby amended as outlined in the attached financial analysis.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment.