City Council
259 N. Wilma Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
MEMO
To: Honorable City Council
From: James Pease, Public Works Director
Date: 07/14/2026
Subject: Grant Application - San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to submit a grant application to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grant Program in the amount of $87,912.92 for the purchase of five alternative-fuel vehicles including four John Deere Gator GX electric utility vehicles and one 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid (funding source: Total cost is $114,037.96, which will be funded by the grant and the General Department Capital Fund).
BACKGROUND:
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grant Program provides funding to public agencies for the purchase of new electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and alternative-fuel vehicles. The program is intended to promote clean transportation technologies, reduce emissions, and increase the use of low- and zero-emission vehicles within public agency fleets.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Staff is requesting authorization to apply for funding through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Alternative Fuel Vehicle Purchase Program. Grant applications are reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
If awarded, the City proposes using the grant funds to purchase four John Deere Gator GX electric utility vehicles for use throughout the Public Works Department and one 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid for the Building Department. The Kia Sportage would replace an aging gasoline-powered fleet vehicle currently assigned to the Building Inspector, improving fuel efficiency and reducing vehicle emissions.
The grant program provides up to $20,000 per eligible alternative-fuel vehicle. Any remaining vehicle purchase costs exceeding the grant award would be funded through the General Department Capital Fund. Approval of this resolution authorizes staff to submit the grant application; acceptance of any awarded grant funds and the associated vehicle purchases will be brought back to the City Council if additional approvals are required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total purchase price for each John Deere Gator GX electric utility vehicle is $16,978.23, which will be fully funded through the grant program.
The total purchase price for the 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid is $46,125.04. If awarded, the grant will provide $20,000 toward the purchase, resulting in a maximum City contribution of $26,125.04. The City’s share will be funded through the General Department Capital Fund.
The City will request a total of $87,912.92 in grant funding through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grant Program.
RESOLUTION NO. 26-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIPON AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR TO
SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE SAN JOAQUIN
COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT PUBLIC
BENEFIT GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE PURCHASE OF
ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District provides grants for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles; and
WHEREAS, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District permits applications be made to participate in the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Purchase Program and to enter into an agreement to receive a grant; and
WHEREAS, the Public Works Department has need for alternative fuel vehicles; and WHEREAS, the Public Works Director desires to apply for $87,912.92 under the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grant Program; and WHEREAS, the Ripon City Council determines that the use of matching funds are approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ripon that the Public Works Director can apply for these grant funds.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Ripon this 14th day of July, 2026, by the following vote:
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Leo Zuber, Council Member
SECONDER:Michael Restuccia, Council Member
AYES: Barton, Uecker, Restuccia, Zuber, de Graaf
THE CITY OF RIPON,
A Municipal Corporation
By ________________________________
GARY BARTON, Mayor
ATTEST:
By: ___________________________
LISA ROOS, City Clerk