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Air Pollution Control Board approves grants, agreements and program resolutions; appointment confirmed
Summary
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board approved an advisory appointment, a $25,000 grant to Ventura Botanical Gardens, a community outreach MOU, and resolutions to continue participation in CARB funding programs; staff also reported the district's Section 105 grant application to EPA.
The Ventura County Air Pollution Control Board took a series of routine actions during the meeting, including grant/project approvals, one advisory appointment and two program participation resolutions.
• Federal Section 105 grant: Executive Officer Eli Ghasemi informed the board that on July 31, 2025, the district submitted a federal fiscal year 2026 Section 105 grant application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for $11,192,200. The item was presented as a status report and filed; no motion was required.
• Advisory committee appointment: The board approved the appointment of Luke Fait to the Ventura County APCD advisory committee for a term ending Jan. 8, 2029. The nomination was made by Supervisor Long and confirmed by the county supervisor on June 3, 2025. The board voted to approve the appointment.
• Ventura Botanical Gardens grant: The board approved a grant agreement providing up to $25,000 to Ventura Botanical Gardens toward the purchase of an electric vehicle for operations, with advance payment allowed and unused funds returnable if the vehicle cost is below the combined $70,000 budget. A board member disclosed a potential appearance of conflict (spouse worked as a consultant to the Gardens) and abstained. Staff said the Clean Air Fund advisory committee had recommended the grant. The board confirmed the required number of affirmative votes and approved the grant; one abstention was recorded.
• Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP) MOU: The board authorized the air pollution control officer to sign a memorandum of understanding with Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) to support tier‑1 outreach for the Driving Clean Assistance Program, which provides grants and vouchers to low‑income and disadvantaged community residents for electric vehicles and charging. The district will provide up to $10,000 over 12 months to conduct outreach, staff training and reporting; CHDC will administer the program and reimburse administrative and media costs. The board approved the MOU unanimously.
• CAP and FARMER program resolutions: The board adopted resolutions authorizing continued participation in the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Community Air Protection (CAP) program and in CARB's Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) program. Staff told the board these programs (cited in staff materials as created under AB 134 and AB 617) provide state funding for disadvantaged communities and for replacing diesel agricultural equipment; the board approved both resolutions unanimously.
• Service award: The board acknowledged a five‑year service award for air quality engineer Danny McQuillan (unable to attend due to illness); no board action was required.
Votes at a glance
- Appointment of Luke Fait to the APCD advisory committee: approved (motion recorded; vote recorded as passed). - Ventura Botanical Gardens grant, $25,000: approved (one abstention; board confirmed required affirmative votes). - MOU with CHDC for DCAP outreach (up to $10,000 over 12 months): approved unanimously. - Adoption of CAP program participation resolution: approved unanimously. - Adoption of FARMER program participation resolution: approved unanimously.
Ending
Most items were routine, recommended by staff, and approved without extended debate. The transcript records no amendments to the agreements or resolutions during the public session.
