For City Council Meeting [August 14, 2018]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Ahmad R. Ansari, Interim City Administrator
FROM: Robert G. Eisenbeisz, P.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Request City Council to Approve Air Quality Monitoring within the City of Rialto by Southern California Air Quality Management District.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND:
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is partnering with Aeroqual, a sensor manufacturer, to place air pollution monitors throughout the South Coast region as part of a grant received by the University of Auckland, New Zealand and Aeroqual. This is a technology demonstration and research project to determine the effectiveness of deployment of low-cost air quality sensors throughout a region providing insights into air quality at a community scale using the data obtained from the sensors. The period of sensor deployment will be for approximately 12-15 months.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
AQMD is seeking a voluntary partnership with the City of Rialto to provide 5 to 6 suitable sites with accessible power for installing the air quality sensors. The City of Rialto would provide the electrical connections and power for the duration of the study. AQMD will install the units. AQMD will provide the City with access to the collected air quality data within the City of Rialto. The City may share the study results in its sole discretion.
Staff met with the AQMD representative to develop a site plan to install five Aeroqual AQY units in Rialto. The table below shows the proposed locations for the air quality monitors.
|
Location |
Address |
|
Fire Station 201 |
131 S. Willow Avenue |
|
Fire Station 202 |
1700 N. Riverside Avenue |
|
Fire Station 203 |
1550 N. Ayala Drive |
|
Fire Station 204 |
3288 N. Alder Avenue |
|
Waste Water Treatment Plant |
501 E Santa Ana Ave |
AQMD may elect to install all five (5) monitors or less, depending on quantity of available air monitors. The AQMD informational flyer is included as Attachment 1 for additional information on the program. The agreement is included as Attachment 2.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
This request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Approval of this action also complies with the City of Rialto General Plan Goal and Policies:
Goal 5-4: Protect the health and welfare of the public, environment, and economy by providing for the safe and responsible management of hazardous materials and wastes
Policy 5-4.2: Coordinate City enforcement efforts with San Bernardino County, the California Department of Health Services, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, and the Air Quality Management District, for the management and disposal of hazardous wastes.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the staff report and Partnership Agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Operating Budget Impact
The City of Rialto will incur the electricity costs for the operation of the monitoring equipment during the 12-15 month period. The electrical cost will be minimal for the five (5) locations, which is comparable to an alarm clock usage. The cost will be absorbed as part of the routine maintenance cost to provide services at the identified sites and are budgeted in the daily operations for these facilities.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
The air quality monitoring will not have an impact on the capital budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve Air Quality Monitoring within the City of Rialto by Southern California Air Quality Management District