For City Council Meeting [September 10, 2019]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Rod Foster, City Administrator
FROM: Sean Grayson, Acting Public Works Director
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 7552 Accepting the MSRC Grant Clean Transportation Funding Local Partnership Program and Execute the Contract Agreement of $135,980.
Body
On September 1, 2017, the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) issued a 2017 Local Government Program to partner with cities and counties to “jumpstart” implementation of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD) 2016 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP). On April 11, 2018, MSRC extended the program deadline to August 2, 2018, and listed eligible cities with corresponding reserved dollar allocations to use toward eligible projects. The program emphasizes an accelerated transition to zero and near-zero vehicles along with essential supporting infrastructure.
The new Local Government Partnership Program seeks to improve upon the prior program in the following ways:
• Increases participation of cities and counties within the South Coast District - the Local Government Partnership Program allocates MSRC funding pro-rata based upon population for each city and county within the MSRC District who participates in the AB 2766 Motor Vehicle Registration fee program.
• Directly supports implementation of the South Coast District’s 2016 AQMP by focusing MSRC investments on AQMP Measures.
• Educates local government leadership on air quality challenges and the regional blueprint for achieving healthful air for all residents.
• Leverages other sources of available funding.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
MSRC calculated Rialto’s pro-rata share of the MSRC local partnership program (LPP) amount at $135,980 based on population. Rialto has received the LPP funding for the following project categories:
1. Purchase approximately nine (9) Light-duty Zero Emission (battery-electric or fuel cell) equivalent vehicles at approximately $28,000 each. MSRC funding will cover 50% of the vehicle's net purchase price or $10,000, whichever is less. The City is required in the grant application to use AB 2766 funding allocation for the city required match.
2. MSRC funding will cover 75% of the cost to install EVSE charging stations at publicly accessible locations. Therefore, the City's match requirement is 25% per the Program Opportunity Notice. The City is required in the grant application to use the AB 2766 funding allocation to cover its 25% match. The most recent EVSE charging stations installed in the City are located at the Easton Retail Center parking lot near the In-N-Out restaurant with construction and installation cost per charging station estimated at roughly $8,000 per station. Staff estimates that the City could install at least eight (8) charging stations with this project.
Staff will review other types of charging stations similar to those used by San Bernardino County Transportation Association (SBCTA) which have options to charge an additional service fee for fully charge vehicles that remain plugged in for use in this procurement.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) Organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
Approval of this action complies with the following City of Rialto General Plan Goals and Policies:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
Goal 2-35: Reduce air pollution emissions from both mobile and stationary sources in the City.
Policy 2-35.1: Replace Rialto’s vehicle fleet with low-emission, economically sensible vehicles.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report and Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
When the project is completed, the charging stations average annual operation and maintenance cost is approximately $2,163 according to an analysis conducted for similar charging stations used at the Easton Retail Center parking lot.
The maintenance of zero or near zero emission vehicle may require additional maintenance costs; however, fuel cost savings should adequately offset the additional maintenance costs.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
Funding is budgeted and available to purchase clean-fueled vehicles and install EVSE charging stations as identified below:
• Grant funds in the amount of $135,980 from MSRC in the SCAQMD AB2766 Fund Account Number 226-500-7915-3050-190209-05.
• City matching funds from AB 2766 funding allocation in the amount of $177,327 from SCAQMD AB2766 Fund Account Number 226-500-7911-3050-190209-08
Table 1 Project Funding
Licensing
No Business License tax is required with this action.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Adopt a Resolution Accepting the MSRC Grant Clean Transportation Funding Local Partnership Program and Execute the Contract Agreement of $135,980.