Report Prepared by: Jennifer Flachman, Senior Management Analyst
Title
SUBJECT: Approval to Submit an Application for Track Two of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Community Change Grant and to Enter into a Service Agreement to Establish a Statutory Partnership with Merced County Office of Education’s (MCOE) Core Connections to Meet the Requirements of the EPA Community Change Grant
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers authorizing staff to submit an application for a Track Two EPA Community Change Grant and enter into a Service Agreement to establish a Statutory Partnership with MCOE as required by the EPA Community Change Grant.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the submission of an application for Track Two of the EPA Community Change Grant; and,
B. Authorizing a service agreement to establish a statutory partnership with the Merced County Office of Education, to meet the requirements of the EPA Community Change Grant; and,
C. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Merced Municipal Code, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Community investment and community participation
DISCUSSION
The EPA Community Change Track Two grant helps communities address environmental and public health challenges, especially in underserved areas. It focuses on building long-term capacity to identify and address environmental justice issues and requires working with a statutory partner to ensure the project's success and sustainability.
Staff is seeking approval to work with the Merced County Office of Education’s (MCOE) Core Connections as a statutory partner. MCOE’s Core Connections program has the capacity to engage with the community and will partner with local organizations to support its efforts. Core Connections has the staff and resources needed to work effectively with the community. By teaming up with Core Connections, the project will address environmental risks and improve public health outcomes. This partnership is vital for achieving the grant’s goals.
This grant will help the city, through its partnership with MCOE’s Core Connections, to create a collaborative governance structure and resilience roadmap to guide how resources are used to strengthen the community and help it recover from challenges in South Merced. This plan will follow EPA Community Change Grant (CCG) strategies to work directly with South Merced residents and business owners to address environmental issues. The goal is to prepare for Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) and other climate and environmental justice investments and will give South Merced residents and business owners a meaningful role in decision-making processes.
The grant project is structured as follows:
1. Grant Project Activity/Program Cycle 1: Budget of $1,000,000 (33%)
2. Grant Project Activity/Program Cycle 2: Budget of $1,000,000 (33%)
3. Grant Project Activity/Program Cycle 3: Budget of $750,000 (25%)
4. Grant Administration: Budget of $250,000 (9%)
We are seeking $3 million in funding to support a three-year grant. While the budget is still being finalized, the funding will be allocated to key areas, including a city temporary staff position for the term of the grant, consulting costs for our statutory partner, and administrative expenses essential for the project's implementation and oversight. These resources will ensure we have the capacity to drive community transformation and meet the grant’s objectives.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
If awarded, we will return to seek approval from the City Council to accept the grant.
ATTACHMENTS
1. EPA Community Change Grant
2. Grant Draft Timeframe