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Commission to accept EPA sensor loan, gather air quality data before buying monitors
Summary
Commissioners agreed to accept EPA‑provided PM2.5 sensors at no cost, collect data for months to a year, and then hold a workshop before deciding whether to spend $55,000–$80,000 on additional air‑quality monitors or a contracted monitoring program.
Commissioners discussed air and water monitoring during the Sept. 3 TRIM hearing and agreed to accept an EPA sensor loan that would place PM2.5 monitors at selected locations at no cost to the city.
A commissioner raised the possibility of purchasing more detailed air‑quality monitors at an estimated cost of $55,000 to $80,000 or contracting with a vendor to provide monitoring and liaison with the EPA. Ms. Campbell and staff said the city’s application to the EPA Air Sensor Loan Program was accepted and that staff had submitted four proposed locations; the EPA needs several weeks to review locations. Jeremiah (a staff member referenced by speakers) would follow up on timing.
Several commissioners recommended installing EPA sensors first, collecting roughly six months to a year of baseline data and then convening a combined air‑ and water‑quality workshop with local stakeholders (including Saint Mary's Riverkeepers) to decide whether to buy additional monitors or expand the program. "Let's gather the data for a year, and let's see what it looks like," one commissioner said, urging the city to use no‑cost sensors to inform future spending.
Next steps: Staff to confirm placement timing with the EPA, gather monitoring data, and schedule a workshop to evaluate whether to move to a paid monitoring program or equipment purchases.
