u^
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS'
PASADENA AREA
Alhambra Altadena Arcadia Bradbury Duarte LaCahada Flintridge Monrovia Monterey Park Pasadena San Gabriel San Marino Sierra Madre South Pasadena
May 9,2022
Pasadena City Council
City Hall
100 N. Garfield Avenue
Pasadena, California 91109
MAY 9 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, ITEMS 5, 6, AND 7:
#5: AUTHORIZE PURCHASE OF ELECTRIC MUNICIPAL VEHICLES
#7:AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL CHARGING STATIONS
#6: SUGGEST MORE RESEARCH ON ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES
Dear Mayor Gordo and City Council Members,
We commend the City staff for Agenda items #5 and #7 and support the City Council in authorizing the purchase of electric municipal vehicles and in entering into an agreement with Tesla for more charging stations in Pasadena. We are excited about this good news. The City is setting an example of climate actions that will inspire all of us including neighboring cities.
On Agenda item #6, we note that the staff report concludes that: "Considerations and research for electric alternatives to replace these particular motorcycles have been conducted as well. There are no electric motorcycle options on the market at this time that are equipped to handle the rigors, extensive use, and deployment of police motorcycles in PD's daily work operations." However, we note that these motorcycles are primarily for traffic control and police escort purposes and the memo states no urgent need for replacement because of degraded performance of existing motorcycles.
Accordingly, we raise the question of whether deferral of this significant expense ($303,688) pending analysis of electric motorcycles available in 2023-2024 would be prudent. Further, we suggest that Pasadena explore existing incentive programs for electric motorcycles including those offered by the California Air Resources Board. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/zero-emission-motorcYcle-incentiyes It does appear that several cities are currently purchasing electric motorcycles for police use. See:
https://www.greenfleetmagazine.com/1012693 l/how-police-military-are-usins-electric-motorcycles It may be that these motorcycles do not meet Pasadena PD requirements for traffic control and police escort, but these special requirements are not stated in the staff report. We encourage the Council to request further information.
The League of Women Voters is proud of the leadership role the City has taken to initiate and maintain momentum for climate-smart actions.
Respectfully submitted,
h^^^^&i^
Martha Zavala, President
League of Women Voters Pasadena Area
A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization
65 S. Grand Avenue » Pasadena, CA 91105-1602
T 626-798-0965 • E-mail: [email protected] • Website: lwv-pa.org ITEM 5, 6 and 7