RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE 60% DESIGN CONCEPT FOR THE NEW TRANSIT MAINTENANCE FACILITY PROJECT.
WHEREAS, on August 17, 2021, the City awarded a professional services agreement to Stantec Architecture Inc. to provide architecture and engineering services to design the new Transit Maintenance Facility project; and WHEREAS, Stantec and City Staff (Design Team) used the criteria presented in the Request for Proposal (RFP) to prepare the initial material flow diagrams depicting the movements of buses, equipment, automobiles, repair parts, materials, and employees through the functional areas located onsite. This process assisted in developing the individual site, building, and functional area floor plans. Early in the design process, the joint Design Team, including essential Transportation and Public Works management and consultant staff members, identified and evaluated the immediate, short‐term, and long‐term issues and desired improvements. Staff considered the site development boundaries, access to the site, sight distances, location of utilities, parking, storage, site mobilization; and WHEREAS, of interest is the future requirement mandated by the State of California (CARB). CARB requires that starting in 2026, a minimum of 25% of all City of Commerce Transit's (CCT's) bus purchases be Zero-Emission Buses (ZEBs) and that by 2029, 100% of the bus fleet purchases be ZEBs. A 2018 study conducted by CCT determined that its existing transit facility could only house 4 ZEBs and was wholly inadequate for the required 100% conversion to a ZEB fleet. Without adequate space or ownership of a new facility, it would be financially imprudent for CCT to invest in battery electric buses (BEB), fleet charging infrastructures, and solar PV to support ZEBs; and WHEREAS, BEB equipment is costly and requires a large footprint, particularly the switchgear and charging cabinets, which must be close to the bus storage location. Fleet conversion to BEBs also requires a substantial investment in the local power grid to supply adequate power to the site. The local power supplier, Southern California Edison (SCE), is unwilling to make those investments without assurance of a 10-year commitment to the existing transit facility. Under the California State Mandate, CCT must purchase new or replacement CNG buses, and CCT could not transition to an entire ZEB fleet without a new facility. Instead, it would be forced to operate and maintain its current fleet indefinitely, significantly impacting operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, service levels, and the environment. Furthermore, without the ability to transition to ZEBs, CCT's future operations would be out of compliance with the State ZEB mandate, potentially subjecting CCT to fines for non-compliance; and WHEREAS, the new replacement facility is necessary to ensure the continued operation of CCT's transportation services and enable a transition to an all-ZEB bus fleet. The project design includes the following:
• Administration and Operations Facility • Maintenance Facility • BEB Charging Infrastructure • Bus Wash System and Fuel Island • Covered Bus Fleet / City Pool Vehicle Parking • Employee and Visitor Parking • Landscaping and Climate Resiliency Features • Solar Power Generation WHEREAS, the total cost estimate for the project is $115,657,316 with a local match requirement of 20%, which equals $23,131,463; and WHEREAS, the local match assumptions are based on the City receiving 80% of Federal funding towards the project; and WHEREAS, the City of Commerce recently applied for $15,000,000 in Reconnecting Communities grant funding towards the construction of the new transit facility. Awards announcements are expected in March 2023, and the City of Commerce is diligently seeking other funding sources.
WHEREAS, Suppose the Reconnecting Communities grant application is unsuccessful and/or this project is selected and receives partial funding. In that case, the City is also applying for the following Federal grants programs in Fiscal Year 2023:
Rebuilding American Infrastructure and Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Low or No Emission Bus Program
Grants for Buses and Buses Facilities
Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Projects
WHEREAS, President Biden's Bipartisan Capital Infrastructure program now has new low-interest-rate DOT financing options. The financing program is designed to help fund large capital projects, such as; the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program, which helps cover any remaining unfunded project costs; and WHEREAS, the City staff has already contacted the United States Department of Transportation to discuss the requirements to secure a loan, if necessary.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The City Council of the City of Commerce hereby finds and declares that the foregoing recitals are true and correct, and incorporates them herein as findings and as a substantive part of this Resolution.
Section 2. The Advancement of the 60% Design Concept is hereby approved.
Section 3. The Mayor is authorized to execute the resolution and amendment for and on behalf of the City of Commerce. The Mayor is also authorized to execute the Resolution for and on behalf of the City of Commerce.
Section 4. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this 21st day of February 2023.
Oralia Y. Rebello, Mayor
Attest:
Lena Shumway, City Clerk