Discussion and possible action to accept joint collaboration between the Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) and Webb County Community Action Agency (WCCAA) to develop and submit an Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) for the purposes of purchasing electric vehicles and charging stations for the CAA El Aguila Rural Transit and CAA Meals-on-Wheels/Elderly Nutrition Programs and authorizing the County Judge to sign all relevant documents; and any other matters incident thereto. This grant does not require any cash match; and thus, there will no impact to the general fund. The total benefit to CAA and Webb County will be $1,124,500.00. All required documents were sent to the Economic Development Department and were found in compliance with the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) policy. [Requested by Guillermo Walls, Director of Webb County Community Action Agency]

Issue: The community lacks access to affordable low- or zero-emission transportation options, leading to disproportionate difficulties in daily life, limiting access to educational and economic opportunities, and creating vulnerability to climate risks.

Solution: Collaborate with RGISC to submit an application for the purchase of electric vehicles and charging stations for the CAA El Aguila Rural Transit and CAA-Meals-on-Wheels/Elderly Nutrition Program.

Result: Webb County will help to reduce and remediate health-harming pollutants to improve public health.

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