v . 0 03 P a g e | 1
May 17, 2022
ITEM TITLE
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure: Approve Second Amendment to License Agreement to Implement Upgrades to EV Infrastructure at Five City Parking Lots
Report Number: 22-0071
Location: Various parking lots in the City of Chula Vista Department: Economic Development
Environmental Notice : The Project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302 Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving the Second Amendment to the License Agreement Between the City of Chula Vista and Blink Network, LLC. to implement upgrades to the electric vehicle infrastructure.
SUMMARY
In 2012, the City and Blink (previously known as EcoTality) entered into an agreement to install 33 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at five locations within the City of Chula Vista. These first -generation EV chargers operate at 2G service and cellular carriers have begun discontinuing 2G service. In order to conti nue providing EV charging at these existing locations, Blink will upgrade these chargers to their second - generation models at no cost to the City. These EV chargers help support the implementation of the City’s climate planning goals and will be accessible to the public.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Categorical Exemption pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15302 Class 2 (Replacement or Reconstruction) because the proposed actions would not result in a significant effect on the environment, create a cumulative impact, damage a scenic highway, or cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
P a g e | 2
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
In 2012, the City and Blink (previously known as EcoTality ) entered into a license agreement (“License Agreement”) to install 33 electric vehicle (EV) chargers at five locations within the City of Chula Vista including Civic Center, Loma Verde Recreation Center, Towne Center Parking Struc ture, Parkway Community Center and Gymnasium, and Montevalle Park and Recreation Center. These first-generation EV chargers operate at 2G service and cellular carriers have begun discontinuing 2G service. In order to continue providing EV charging at these existing locations, the proposed second amendment to the License Agreement provides that Blink will upgrade these chargers to their second-generation models at no cost to the City. 32 of these existing chargers are level 2 chargers and one is a DC fast charger. The DC fast charger, located at the Towne Center Parking Structure, is not eligible for the upgrade and will be removed and the area restored to original condition.
These EV chargers help support the implementation of the City’s climate planning goals. In September 2017, City Council adopted the 2017 Climate Action Plan (CAP) to help address the local threat of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lowering Chula Vista’s vulnerability to expected climate change impacts. A specific objective called out in the Smart Growth and Transportation section of the 2017 CAP mentions “[s]upport citywide expansion of alternative fuel vehicle use by 11% of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2035.” Upgrading these EV chargers will allow continued access for the community.
In addition, the State of California has been focusing on the transportation sector in recent years and has a goal to get 5 million zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) on the road by 2030 as well as a goal of the installation of 250,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2025. Also, Governor Newsom’s recent executive order directs the state to require that, by 2035, all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be ZEV. As such, there is a great need to have adequate charging infrastructure in our region so making sure these existing EV chargers can properly operate is essential to support the region’s electric vehicles.
There has been other recent work to support EV adoption and provide charging infrastructure in Chula Vista, including:
City Council approved the City’s participation in the CALeVIP program in June 2021, accepting incentive funds to fully cover the cost of ten (10) level 2 charging ports and six (6) DC fast charging ports at parking lot number two at the corner of Landis Avenue and Davidson Street. The City of Chula Vista worked with San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and their Power Your Drive program to install 123 EV charging ports at municipal f acilities for fleet and employee commuter charging in 2018.
The installation of 20 level 2 and 2 fast chargers at the East Palomar Park and Ride in Chula Vista by Caltrans and SDG&E helps provide much-needed charging infrastructure to our community.
Under the proposed amendment to the License Agreement, t he City will also receive increased revenue in the amount of 20 percent of the net revenues from the operation of the EV charging equipment. Revenues from chargers located at municipal facilities (Civ ic Center, Loma Verde Recreation Center, Montevalle Park P a g e | 3
and Recreation Center , and Parkway Community Center and Gymnasium) will be allocated to the General Fund and revenues from the Towne Center Parking Structure will be allocated to the City’s Parking Meter Fund for potential funding for future EV charging infrastructure.
Through this action, staff is recommending that the City Council’ approve a the second amendment to the License Agreement with Blink to upgrade 32 existing level 2 EV chargers to their second-generation models, increase revenues due to the City, and remove one existing DC fast EV charger and restore the area to the original condition.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Councilmembers and has found no property holdings within 1,000 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real pr operty-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(7) or (8), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100, et seq.). Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informe d by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision-maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund as a result of this action as these units are be ing upgraded at no-cost to the city, with completion of upgrades expected by October 31, 2022.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive 20 percent of the net revenues from the operation of the EV charging equipment.
Revenues will be attributed to the General Fund and the City’s Parking Meter Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Second Amendment to the City of Chula Vista License Agreement 2022
2. EcoTality Agreement 2012
3. First Amendment to Blink Agreement 2014
Staff Contact: Coleen Wisniewski, Environmental Sustainability Manager