{{section.number}}d
24-86388
CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Report: Accept Grant Funds for the Electrification of Beeline Bus Fleet and Maintenance Facility
1. Motion accepting $4,930,194 in Proposition C 40% Discretionary funds and $7,680,000 in federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (“CMAQ”) Improvement Program funds to support electrifying the Beeline fleet and maintenance facility; and authorizing the City Manager or a designee to execute all agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to accept and implement the funding.
2.Resolution of appropriation to appropriate $975,000 for battery electric buses.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Consent Calendar
Approved for August 27, 2024 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Public Works Department, Transit Division (“Department”), requests that the Council accept two grants to support the electrification of the Beeline bus fleet and the transit maintenance facility. The City was awarded $4,930,194 in Los Angeles County Proposition C 40% Discretionary funds and $7,680,000 in federal CMAQ funds. Both grants are administered by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“Metro”). Additionally, the Department requests that the Council adopt a resolution of appropriation for $975,000 for battery electric buses, freeing up local transit funds. {{section.number}}d2
24-86388
5 4
2 0
RECOMMENDATION
Accept a total of $12,610,194 in grant funds; authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the necessary agreements, amendments, certifications, and documents necessary to implement the grants; and adopt a resolution to appropriate $975,000 to supplement the purchase of five battery electric buses.
ANALYSIS
Since 1984, the Beeline transit service has been transporting residents and visitors around Glendale. Currently, the Beeline operates with compressed gas (“CNG”) fueled buses, which are cleaner but still emit particulate matter. In a move to zero-emission vehicles (“ZEV”), the Beeline will be transitioning to battery electric buses (“BEB”). To facilitate the purchase of BEB and provide the necessary facility space and electrification infrastructure, the Department has pursued many grant opportunities. Two new grants have been awarded to supplement the cost of the City’s first five BEB as well as the next twenty BEB, and the construction of the Beeline Maintenance Facility parking deck to provide space for electrification infrastructure.
ZEV Call for Projects (Proposition C Funding)
Metro made capital funding available to local transit operators to assist in the conversion to ZEV to help meet the State mandate. The grant is funded by Los Angeles County Proposition C 40% Discretionary funds. The City has been awarded $4,930,194, of which $975,000 is to offset cost increases for the first five BEB. While these buses have already been ordered, the requested resolution of appropriation will allow for the use of these grant funds to free up local transit funds. The remaining $3,955,140 is for the construction of the parking deck.
Southern California Association of Governments (“SCAG”) Award (CMAQ Funding) SCAG awarded Glendale $7,680,000 in federal CMAQ funds. The grant will support the purchase of twenty BEB, ten chargers, construction of the parking deck and electrification infrastructure.
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
The Beeline transit service provides residents with mobility. Grant funds will support the Beeline’s transition to ZEV and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) that will benefit the entire community.
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff’s requested appropriation of $975,000 to supplement the purchase of the first five BEB was not included as a part of the FY 2024-25 budget. Therefore, staff is requesting an appropriation of $975,000 from the Miscellaneous Grant Fund. The appropriation request is outlined below:
Requesting Appropriation
Amount From (Account To (Account String) Funding Source {{section.number}}d3
24-86388
5 4
2 0
String)
$975,000 GL: 31240-2160-
PWD-0020-P0000-
PL: PWD00787EG
GL: 51000-2160-
PWD-0020-P0000-
PL: PWD00787EG
State –
Miscellaneous
Grant Fund
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378. Even if it is a project, it is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Decline accepting the grant funds and the resolution of appropriation, which will burden the City’s Transit Fund and delay the Beeline’s transition to ZEV.
Alternative 2: The City Council may consider any alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Daniel Hernandez, Interim Director of Public Works
Prepared by:
Martha D'Andrea, Transit Manager
Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None.