passed ordinance

*Accept and appropriate a grant for $320,000 from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

public safety
health
grant
budget appropriation

Department: Housing Bureau
Introduced by: Former Mayor Ted Wheeler
Status: Passed

Impact statement

Purpose & background

The Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program (COPPGP), in accordance with section 2090 of the Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (NZB Act). The burning of fuels produces carbon monoxide, which is a colorless, odorless gas. Exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a serious and potentially deadly health condition. Unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning from motor vehicles and improper operation of fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, portable generators, and stoves, annually kills more than 400 individuals and sends approximately 15,000 individuals to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Research shows that installing carbon monoxide alarms close to the sleeping areas in residential homes and other dwelling units can help avoid fatalities. The purpose of the COPPGP is to provide state, local and tribal governments assistance to help promote the installation of carbon monoxide alarms and develop training and public education programs, with the goal of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning of low-income families, children, and the elderly in dwelling units and other facilities, and to promote the health and public safety of citizens throughout the United States. This legislation would authorize accepting an award (and appropriating a portion of the funds) from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for a grant in the amount of $320,000 for the implementation COPPGP: Purchase and install compliant carbon monoxide alarms in the dwelling units of low-income families or elderly individuals, and facilities that commonly serve children or the elderly (including childcare facilities, public schools, and senior centers); Develop and disseminate training materials, instructors, and any other costs relating to the training sessions authorized under this subsection; or Educate the public about— The risk associated with carbon monoxide as a poison; and The importance of proper carbon monoxide alarm use.

Financial impacts

This COPPGP will bring approximately $320,000 in federal funds to the community for a grant period of two years. Matching funds already budgeted of $80,000 from CDBG. Exhibit A breaks down the detail budget of funds that was approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Total 2 years budget = $400,000)

Community impacts

This grant application was submitted to promote the installation of carbon monoxide alarms and develop training and public education programs, with the goal of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning to low-income families, children, and the elderly in dwelling units and other facilities, and to promote the health and public safety of Portlanders. The COPPGP will provide and/or install 1,550 carbon monoxide alarms and developer education and outreach to 1,200 Portlanders with a focus on the marginalized low-income communities. within the 2-year period.

▸ Full text (the legislation as adopted)

The City of Portland ordains: Section 1. The Council finds: Portland Housing Bureau applied to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for a grant in the amount of $320,000 for remediate housing-related health and safety hazards by installing carbon monoxide alarms close to the sleeping areas in residential homes and other dwelling units to help avoid death and decrease emergency visit for carbon monoxide poisoning. on July 1, 2024 ; and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has notified the City of Portland that it will award a grant to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning of children and the elderly in dwelling units and other facilities by providing funding to support the installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms and training and public education programs to promote the health and public safety of citizens to the City of Portland Housing Bureau in the amount of $320,000; The grant for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requires a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) local leverage through cost sharing. The total local leverage for this grant is $80,000.00. The local leverage will be provided in the form of community development block grant (CDBG) dollars. CDBG dollars will cover the Program Director’s salary and fringe benefits allocated to the grant (.05 FTE). This amount is $20,439.00. The remaining CDBG amount of $59,561 be used toward travel, assessment, consultation, installation, translation, community events, outreach, and education training. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs: The Mayor is hereby authorized to accept on behalf of the City of Portland a grant from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to support the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning of children and the elderly in dwelling units and other facilities by providing funding to support the installation of Carbon Monoxide alarms and training and public education programs to promote the health and public safety of citizens to the City of Portland Housing Bureau in the amount of $320,000 and to execute a grant agreement in the form similar to the agreement attached as Exhibit A. The FY 2024/2025 budget is hereby amended as follows: GRANTS FUND Fund 217001 Business Area – HC00 Bureau Program Expenses – $320,000 The Office of Management & Finance Grants Management Division is authorized to perform all administrative matters in relation to the grant application, grant agreement or amendments, requests for reimbursement from the grantor, and to submit required online grant documents on the Mayor’s behalf. The Director of Portland Housing Bureau of the City of Portland is authorized to execute on behalf of the City of Portland any subsequent modifications by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program, award number 1 NZBCP240016-01-00 provided such modifications do not increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk. Any modifications that increase the City of Portland’s financial obligation or risk must be authorized by the Portland City Council. Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists because a delay would unnecessarily delay the City’s ability to perform the activities authorized by the grant; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.

Tally

5 yea 0 nay