Authorize Intergovernmental Agreement with Multnomah County Health Department for $129,000 to conduct lead-related public health services for the Lead Hazard Reduction Program
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- From 1997 to 2022, the Portland Water Bureau complied with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule for drinking water with the Lead Hazard Reduction Program.
- The Lead Hazard Reduction Program has four components: water treatment and monitoring; home lead reduction; lead-in-water education and testing; and education and outreach. The Portland Water Bureau funds education and outreach programs for lead poisoning prevention through community partner programs.
- Multnomah County Health Department has received grant funds through the Lead Hazard Reduction Program to provide lead-related education and public health surveillance.
- In April 2022, the Portland Water Bureau implemented improved corrosion control treatment to reduce lead in water. As the Portland Water Bureau transitions how it complies with the Lead and Copper Rule from the Lead Hazard Reduction Program to full corrosion control treatment, the Portland Water Bureau and Multnomah County Health Department desire to enter into a one-year Intergovernmental Agreement to extend the County’s work related to lead in water, case management and investigations for people with elevated blood lead levels, and lead-related public health surveillance.
- Funding for this work has been requested in the FY 2023–24 Budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- That the Portland Water Bureau Director is authorized to execute on behalf of the City an Intergovernmental Agreement in a form similar to the agreement attached as Exhibit A and for the purpose described in Section 1 above.
- Amendments increasing the total compensation may be agreed to and executed by the Portland Water Bureau Director up to twenty-five percent of the total agreement amount. Any increase exceeding twenty-five percent of the total compensation would need City Council approval.
- The Mayor and Auditor are hereby authorized to draw and deliver checks chargeable to the Water Fund when demand is presented and approved by the proper authorities.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
This legislation will authorize the Portland Water Bureau to enter an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Multnomah County Health Department (MCHD) to fund lead-related public health surveillance and lead-in-water-related activities for one year. The Portland Water Bureau and the MCHD are committed to reducing lead exposure in our community. Funding public health surveillance for sources of lead exposure in the community is part of this commitment.
From 1997 to 2022, the Portland Water Bureau complied with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule for drinking water with the Lead Hazard Reduction Program. The Lead Hazard Reduction Program has four components: water treatment and monitoring; home lead reduction; lead-in-water education and testing; and education and outreach. The Portland Water Bureau funds education and outreach programs for lead poisoning prevention through community partner programs. MCHD has received grant funds through the Lead Hazard Reduction Program to provide lead-related education and public health surveillance.
In April 2022, the Portland Water Bureau implemented improved corrosion control treatment to reduce lead in water. As the Portland Water Bureau transitions how it complies with the Lead and Copper Rule from the Lead Hazard Reduction Program to full corrosion control treatment, the Portland Water Bureau and MCHD desire to enter a one-year IGA to extend the County’s work related to lead in water, case management and investigations for people with elevated blood lead levels, and lead-related public health surveillance.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
This IGA authorizes the Portland Water Bureau to compensate MCHD for lead-related public health services conducted during FY 2023–24. The Portland Water Bureau has requested $129,000 for MCHD in its FY 2023–24 Budget. The legislation does not create any staffing changes. The work related to this legislation is already budgeted for in existing positions.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
With a vision of thriving communities that nurture the health and resilience of all, MCHD works with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and promote health and wellness for everyone. This legislation will provide funding to MCHD to continue important lead-related public health services to all residents in Multnomah County, but especially those most vulnerable to lead exposure: children and pregnant people.
Each year, MCHD provides primary care and public health services to over 100,000 residents, with 36% identifying as Latinx, 12% as Black, 9% Asian, 1% Native American/Alaskan Native, 1% Pacific Islander, and 19% white, non-Latinx. Ninety-five percent of clients served live on incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. Fifteen percent have no health insurance coverage, and 73% are insured through the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid), with the remaining clients covered by Medicare and private insurance.
This legislation and MCHD contribute to City livability, health, and equity by providing support to families with children who have elevated blood lead levels. MCHD follows up with all reports of elevated blood lead levels in Multnomah County and offers investigation and case management to those families. MCHD staff communicates to the medical provider, the patient household, or both as part of the follow-up case management process. MCHD staff also conducts an investigation of the patient’s home to identify and remove the likely source of lead. After the investigation, MCHD staff continues to work with the family to ensure that the lead exposure was successfully removed and the patient’s blood lead level is decreasing.
100% Renewable Goal
This ordinance is not applicable to the City’s 100% renewable energy goal.
Financial and Budget Analysis
The cost of this contract is built into the PWB FY 2023-24 Requested Budget, backed by Water Sale Revenue.
Document History
Item 391 Regular Agenda in May 17-18, 2023 Council Agenda
City Council
Passed to second reading
Item 417 Regular Agenda in May 24, 2023 Council Agenda
City Council
Passed
- Commissioner Dan Ryan Yea
- Commissioner Rene Gonzalez Yea
- Commissioner Mingus Mapps Yea
- Commissioner Carmen Rubio Yea
- Mayor Ted Wheeler Yea