City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: James Pease, Public Works Director
Date: 11/14/2023
Subject: Voucher Application - San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District RECOMMENDED ACTION:
This resolution authorizes the Public Works Director, or his/her designee, to submit an application to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVACD) for vouchers to replace existing gas- or diesel-powered landscaping equipment with new electric equipment.
BACKGROUND:
In January of 2023 the California Air Resources Control Board (CARB) amended the Small OffRoad Engine (SORE) Exhaust Emission Regulations which were originally adopted back in 2012. The small off-road engines are defined by a power rating of at or below 25 horsepower.
Typical equipment includes lawn and garden equipment, portable generators, and pressure washers. The SORE emissions standards will be set to zero in two phases, for model year 2024 and all subsequent model years all equipment types produced for sale in California, except generators and large pressure washers will be zero. The second phase will be implemented starting with model year 2028, when the emission standards for generators and large pressure washers will also be zero. Essentially only battery or electric powered equipment will be available for purchase in California in the very near future if they are at or below 25 horsepower.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The SJVACD offers a Zero-Emission Landscaping Equipment (ZELE) Voucher Program which provides incentives for San Joaquin Valley public agencies that perform their own landscape maintenance, to replace their old gas-powered landscape equipment with new electric options.
Public agencies may be eligible for up to 100% of the cost of new equipment and include the cost of additional batteries and chargers. The attached resolution is required and allows staff to participate in the ZELE Voucher program through the SJVACD.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of the new SORE emissions standards requiring Cities to purchase zero emission equipment remains to be determined although the ZELE Voucher program will aid in mitigating some of these expenses largely in the General Fund as the regulations are implemented.
RESOLUTION NO. 23-52
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIPON AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR,
OR HIS/HER DESIGNEETO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND
TO SIGN CERTAIN ASSURANCES WITH RESPECT TO SAN
JOAQUIN VALLEY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT
APPLICATIONS FOR LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL
PROGRAMS, PROJECTS OR GRANTS
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) is offering the Zero-Emission Landscaping Equipment Voucher Program for the replacement of existing gas- or diesel-powered landscaping equipment with new electric equipment; and WHEREAS, The City Council must authorize someone by resolution, as the “Authorized Signing Authority” to make application and administer the Zero-Emission Landscaping Equipment Voucher Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Ripon authorizes the Public Works Director, or his/her designee to make application for, to sign required assurances, and to administer the Zero-Emission Landscaping Equipment Voucher Program with respect to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which may be necessary for the completion of the grant scope, on behalf of the City of Ripon.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ripon this 14th day of November, 2023, by the following vote:
RESULT: ADOPTED BY CONSENT VOTE [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Daniel de Graaf, Council Member
SECONDER:Leo Zuber, Vice Mayor
AYES: Michael Restuccia, Leo Zuber, Daniel de Graaf, Dean Uecker ABSENT: Gary Barton
THE CITY OF RIPON,
A Municipal Corporation
By ________________________________
MICHAEL RESTUCCIA, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
LISA ROOS, City Clerk