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VALLEY CLEAN ENERGY ALLIANCE
Staff Report - Item 8
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Mitch Sears, Executive Officer
Rebecca Boyles, Director of Customer Care and Marketing SUBJECT: SACOG Grant - Electrify Yolo Update
DATE: April 13, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Informational item. The purpose of this report is to give an update on the status of the Electrify Yolo (SACOG grant) project.
BACKGROUND
In December 2018, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) authorized the award of a Green Region grant in the amount of $2,912,000, representing the regional “Electrify Yolo” project, with the purpose of installing publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The City of Davis distributed funds to each entity once the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were approved by each jurisdiction. All projects are to be finished by December 31, 2023.
The project goals include:
• 15-40 Level 2 chargers
• 2-5 DC Fast Chargers
• 2-10 Mobile Chargers
• Purchase or Lease of One or More Electric Vehicles
UPDATES
As shown in the attached progress reports each jurisdiction is making progress toward meeting its obligations under the grant. All MOUs were signed (Davis, VCE/Winters, Woodland, unincorporated Yolo County) as of April 2021, and some EV charger installation projects have begun, and some are finished.
VCE Staff is working with each jurisdiction to design banners to be hung at each charging station with logos of all project partners, as well as permanent aluminum signs. Temporary banners will inform members of the public that there will be EV chargers coming soon in that location and aim to increase the public’s brand association with VCE and electric vehicles. Banners have been hung in Winters at the Community Center charging stations, as well as a permanent aluminum sign.
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COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts:
Each jurisdiction experienced impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter-in-place order on Yolo County. Work was delayed as resources were shifted to emergency response and other high priority projects. With the movement of the State to rescind emergency orders and the re-opening of most of the jurisdictions, the project partners are once again moving forward with consultant, siting, procurement and installation efforts. However, due to significant delays with several of the projects, not all jurisdictions may complete their projects by December 31, 2023, and the group is considering asking SACOG for an extension of one year. An update will be provided in the next quarterly report.
Fund Expenditures:
Partner Updates
City of Davis:
During the Fall of 2020, staff issued an RFP to solicit proposals for the City’s EV Charging Station project. As a result of that competitive effort, and a thorough review of the proposals, staff recommended Frontier Energy, Inc. as the selected consultant to perform the analysis and design the City’s portion of the EV Charging project. On June 1st, 2021, the City Council approved the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Frontier Energy, Inc. and also solidified funding within the City’s budget to fund this effort. Five sites have been selected, and the City continues to work with PG&E to make improvements on the sites. Since the last report in January 2023, the City of Davis has not spent any additional funds but will be writing a Purchase Order shortly for the Pair Tree solar mobile charging stations for $132,400. Plans and bid documents are in progress for the 5 public charging sites, as well as additional chargers at two City facilities to charge fleet vehicles. Staff has also identified a potential fleet EV van to purchase as part of the grant requirement.
City of Winters:
The City of Winters is finished with one of two selected sites. Chargers at the Community Center were installed, are operational, and have permanent signage with the logos of the grant partners. The second site is in progress, and the site has power. City Staff posted this project on the city website for proposals, contacted four different contractors through email and phone and had just one response which was Ample Electric, with which it is currently working. The City has spent $79,500 of funds toward the project. All four Blink chargers have been received. The project consists of two separate locations for the charging stations: the Winters Community Center parking lot located at 201 Railroad Ave. has two Level 2 double chargers replacing existing chargers. The second location is the City parking lot at the corner of First St. and Abbey St. This location is a new parking lot that will have one level 2 double charger and one 50kw level 1 fast charger. The transformer for this project has been received. When dry weather allows, it will be installed with the chargers, completing the project. 3 Item 8
City of Woodland:
The City of Woodland was apportioned $150,000 to install at minimum two Level 2 EV charging stations in Woodland that are accessible to the public. Site selection and feasibility studies are complete, with the site being City of Woodland public parking lot near 430-434 College St, Woodland CA 95695. PG&E has approved plans and is waiting on installment. Switch gear will arrive in August 2023. Chargers have been chosen and are awaiting orders. The City is currently on schedule unless the orders for the switch gear or chargers are delayed.
County of Yolo:
• 137 N. Cottonwood St. (Bauer Building) Woodland – 2-Dual Chargers.
Construction/Installation completed in mid -February 2023. Chargers are activated and being utilized. This project is complete.
• 600 A St. Davis – 1-Dual Charger – Permitting complete. Construction/Installation scheduled for May 8-11 2023.
• 315 E. 14th St. Davis - 1-Dual Charger – this charger is in the permitting process with the City of Davis. The paving subcontractor identified a possible ADA issue in the parking lot.
The County was presented with a pre-construction change order that will require County Board of Supervisor approval. Plan to take to Board in early May, then continue permitting with City of Davis.
• 25 N. Cottonwood St. (Gonzalez Building) – 2-Dual Chargers. Project on hold. A large Change Order will require additional approval. This project is on hold until other projects are complete or showing significant progress.
• New Project: the County is considering installing charging stations at the Knights Landing Community Park. Park construction is planned to be completed December 2023 and will include the charger installation.