Agenda eport
TO:
FROM:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Department of Transportation
February 27, 2023
SUBJECT: ADOPT A RESOLUTION AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
SIGN ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS TO RECEIVE FUNDS FROM
THE CALIFORNIA VOLKSWAGEN ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION
TRUST FUND
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption); and
2. Adopt a Resolution and Authorize the City Manager to execute any and all agreements with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District associated with the receipt of California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund grant funding for zero-emission buses.
BACKGROUND:
In 2022, the Department of Transportation successfully applied to receive $1,600,000 in grant funds from The California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund. This grant program provides funding to replace older, high-poUuting transit buses with medium- and heavy-duty zero emission vehicles that are either battery-electric buses (BEB) or fuel cell electric buses (FCEB). Funding for this grant is provided by the California Air Resources Board (CARS) and is administered by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD).
Per adoption of this Resolution, the SJVAPCD will issue a formal agreement awarding these funds to the City of Pasadena. The g·rant funds will partially fund the cost to replace compressed natural gas buses and/or unleaded gasoline buses with zero emission buses. Staff will return to the City · Council to receive and appropriate the grant funds and to award the contract for the purchase of the buses. The amount awarded may potential1y increase, subject to the availability of future funds in this grant program.
MEETING OF 02/27/2023 AGENDA ITEM NO. _..;;;.5 _ _ _
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California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund Resolution and Authorization February 27, 2023
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
By adopting the resolution, the City shall be eligible to receive grant funds from The California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust Fund. The action will advance the City Council's strategic planning goals of maintaining fiscal responsibility, increasing conservation and sustainability, and encouraging non-auto travel. Additionally, adopting the resolution will accelerate the transition timeline in the Council approved Pasadena Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The proposed action has been determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b )(3), the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. No direct physical changes to the environment are proposed, as this is replacing existing buses with cleaner, lower emissions buses.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are no costs with this action. Staff will return to receive and appropriate the funds awarded. Additionally, staff will return at the point vehicles or infrastructure are being procured, at which time the fiscal impact of each procurement will be known.
Prepared by:
~ern8ndez
Principal Planner
Approved by:
~~~ MIGEL MARQUEZ
City Manager
Director
Department of Transportation