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Vallejo weighs $5 million Air District opportunity grant; residents urge focus on South Vallejo and health hubs
Summary
City staff outlined a proposed Valley application for the Bay Area Air District’s Community Benefits Fund opportunity grant and asked council for priorities. Community groups urged council to prioritize disadvantaged census tracts—especially South Vallejo—and to target projects that reduce pollution exposure and strengthen local resilience.
Vallejo staff told the City Council the city plans to apply as lead applicant for an opportunity grant under the Bay Area Air District’s Community Benefits Fund and sought council direction on funding priorities.
Assistant City Manager Nolongo Conley outlined a proposed four-bucket approach for a $5 million opportunity-grant application: an expanded Safe Routes to Schools program (partnership with VPD, VCUSD and STA), energy upgrades and resiliency at senior centers (audit, solar and battery, HVAC replacement), subsidies and support for planning and rental inspection work, and a community-based environmental-justice (EJ) program to fund CBOs delivering air-monitoring, exposure reduction, workforce and youth programs.
Public commenters from Fresh Air Vallejo and other local organizations urged the council to target funds to the most burdened census tracts—particularly South Vallejo—and to prioritize place-based projects such as turning the Norman King Center into a clean-air, community resilience hub that can provide filtered air during wildfires and extreme heat. Speakers recommended prioritizing Grace Patterson Elementary for Safe Routes to Schools work because of its proximity to highways and industrial activity.
Staff said the grant allows a city to be lead on one opportunity-grant application and co-applicant on others; staff also said the program permits administrative/capacity costs and that the council could set caps and scoring priorities (e.g., disadvantaged-tract preference). The application deadline is May 29; staff said they would incorporate council feedback into the draft application and return with a memo or consent item as time allows.
