Camarillo City Council
AGENDA REPORT
Date: February 26, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Greg Ramirez, City Manager
Submitted by: Dave Klotzle, Public Works Director
Subject: Camarillo Area Transit –Purchase Authorization for Three Class V Transit Vans
BACKGROUND
The City is eligible to purchase three fleet replacement vehicles utilizing funding from the State of California Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Senate Bill 125 (SB-125) On Sept. 29, 2023, CalSTA released the final guidelines for SB-125 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and Zero-Emission Transit Capital Program (ZETCP).
These supplemental budget funds are apportioned to counties, and it is estimated that in the current fiscal year, Ventura County’s transit capital and operations apportionment is $5 million for zero emission transit capital. Ventura County’s share of the promised SB- 125 future-year funds is estimated to be another $42.3 million for transit capital and $8.5 million for zero emission transit capital, subject to future budget act apportionments.
Future SB-125 funds will be approved annually through Fiscal Year 2027-28.
On August 7, 2024, Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) received authorization to fund the proposed SB-125 Projects over the next few fiscal years. The City received $700,000 in the first round of funding, to be distributed in FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26; $500,000 of which will go towards the procurement of new transit vehicles and the remaining $200,000 will be used for preliminary design work for the joint bus charging and storage facility. An interagency agreement between VCTC and the City for the funding and procurement was approved by City Council on December 11, 2024, and executed on December 30, 2024. SB-125 funding will cover 100% of vehicle replacements costs.
The Caltrans Division of Mass Transportation (DMT) ensures that transit vehicle purchases using FTA grant funds comply with federal statutes and regulations. In addition, the DMT provides a program for public agencies to purchase transit vehicles at the lowest price through the California Association for Coordinated Transportation/Morongo Basin Transit Authority (CalACT/MBTA) purchasing
Camarillo Area Transit Purchase – Three Class V Transit Vans February 26, 2025
2 3
1 9
cooperative. The City is a member of CalACT and therefore eligible to utilize the purchasing cooperative.
Through the CalACT/MBTA purchasing cooperative, each vendor has an approved list of vehicles they can provide. The specific vehicles needed by Camarillo Area Transit (CAT) appropriately meet CAT’s service demands and have been selected from the pre- approved list. The vehicles purchased will be similar in appearance to existing CAT vehicles and will comply with federally required accessibility features. As part of the Zero Emission Roll-Out Plan, the City identified the need to right-size the current fleet to effectively meet ridership needs. The Plan right-sizes the fleet to three minivans, 11 transit vans and four cutaways. For this procurement, three transit vans will be procured to replace three vehicles scheduled to be retired.
DISCUSSION
Staff reviewed the vehicle types available for purchase through the CalACT/MBTA Purchasing Cooperative and chose Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, a state and federal approved vendor that provides vehicles through the CalACT/MBTA Purchasing Cooperative and currently has the desired vehicles available for procurement.
The vehicles selected for procurement are three gasoline – Class V High Roof Mobility Transit Vans with a rear curbside fixed lift and a transit style entry door, 6-passenger plus one wheelchair or up to three wheelchairs and two ambulatory passengers at a cost of $122,635.89 per vehicle. While similar to the City’s existing transit vans, this new model enables separate mobility device boardings, providing extra space for the driver to position passengers in mobility devices. The vehicle’s new transit-style door will enable the driver to open the ambulatory passenger door from the driver’s seat, reducing boarding time.
The City performed an independent cost estimate to ensure the City is getting fair pricing for the vehicles it intends to procure. Staff checked with recent procurements of similar vehicle styles and found that VCTC procured Class P Braunability Promaster transit vans in 2024 at a cost of approximately $193,240.16, through the CalACT/MBTA cooperative.
Additionally, in December 2023 Camarillo purchased three Class V Mobility Trans transit vans for $105,352.84 per vehicle. City staff determined Model 1 has the specific vehicle to appropriately meet CAT’s service demand at a competitive price.
The total cost for three vehicles is $367,907.67, of which 100% is covered by SB-125 funding. On January 31, 2025, the City received $700,000 in SB-125 funds through VCTC. The funding included $500,000 for the procurement of transit vehicles and an additional $200,000 for the Transit Charging Station (Project No. ST-5157). A budget appropriation is requested to reflect the increase in revenues, previously budgeted at $227,000. In addition to the request to procure the Transit Vans, staff is recommending authorization of a contingency in the amount of $35,000 for potential additional procurement costs. The procurement of these three transit vans will finalize CAT’s vehicle replacement/right-sizing plan. Future procurements will begin the transition to zero emission vehicles, with the next procurement anticipated in 2027 with an electric cutaway.
Camarillo Area Transit Purchase – Three Class V Transit Vans February 26, 2025
2 3
1 9
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds in the amount of $181,504 are available in the Transit Fund, Capital Purchases, Vehicle Account No. 206-3801-438.91-33. An appropriation in the amount of $221,404 for the purchase of three transit vans and contingency in the Transit Fund, Capital Purchases, Vehicle Account No. 206-3801-438.91-33 is required.
Funds in the amount of $227,000 are available in the Capital Grants/ SB 125 Revenue Account No. 206-0000-336.36-18. An increase to budgeted revenue in the amount of $473,000 is required to match the incoming revenue of $700,000.
CEQA DETERMINATIONS
City staff has determined, in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, that CAT vehicle procurement is not subject to CEQA review because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that CAT vehicle procurement may have a significant effect on the environment. The City is replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with internal combustion engine vehicles without increasing the total number of vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Find the CAT vehicle procurement exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Authorize an appropriation of $221,404 for the purchase of three transit vans and contingency in the Transit Fund, Capital Purchases, Vehicle Account No. 206-3801- 438.91-33
3. Authorize a revenue budget increase of $473,000 in the SB 125 Revenue Fund, Capital Purchases, Vehicle Account No. 206-0000-336.36-18; and
4. Authorize the purchase of three transit vans from Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, in the amount of $367,907.67 and
5. Authorize a contingency of up to $35,000 for potential additional procurement costs.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Attachment 1 - Model 1 Commercial Vehicles Quote
REFERENCE MATERIALS – AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW AT CITY HALL None