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CONSENT CALENDAR
City of San Bernardino
Request for Council Action
Date: June 18, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
From: Bill Gallardo, Interim City Manager;
C. Jeannie Fortune, Interim Director of Finance and Management Services
Department: Finance and Management Services
Subject: Authority to Execute a No-Cost Site Host Agreement Between the City of San Bernardino and EV Charging
Solutions for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (Ward 1) Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate and execute the site host agreement, and any subsequent amendments, subject to the review and approval by the City Attorney as to form.
Executive Summary
This staff report is a request to enter into a no-cost Site Host Agreement with EV Chargin Solutions, Inc. (EVCS) for the installation and operation of Level 2 and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) stations at a selected city-owned facility with potential to increase sites city-wide.
Background
California continues actively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) through various initiatives, including policy mandates, funding for charging infrastructure, and incentives for EV purchases. The state aims to transition to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. With the increase of EV drivers reaching all communities, the need to build publicly accessible EV charging infrastructure is evident.
The City of San Bernardino would benefit greatly from greener transportation options as one of the largest geographic areas in the state that consists almost entirely of census tracts designated as disadvantaged in the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. EVs are an important consideration for transitioning the transportation system that results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. To support the transition to 2 7
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EVs, having infrastructure in place is crucial.
There are several different types of EV charging equipment, depending on the EV batteries and charging range. All electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, can charge on level 1 and level 2 stations but some cannot charge on DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations, as illustrated in the chart below:
Charger Type Plug-In Electric
Hybrids (PHEV)
Time to Full Charge
Battery Electric
Vehicles (BEV)
Time to Full Charge
Miles per hour of
charge
AC Level 1 3 Hours 8-37 Hours 3.5 to 6.5
AC Level 2 1.5 Hours 3-6 Hours 14 to 35
DC Fast Charger N/A 15-30 Minutes 100 to 250 (.5
hour)
Charging availability throughout the City would alleviate what is known as “Range Anxiety” a term used to describe the fear of being stranded on the side of the road with no nearby accessible chargers. This public perception is a barrier to EV adoption but can be easily addressed through EV public charging infrastructure. Building a strong accessible EV network will provide user confidence and increase EV ownership.
Discussion
Staff in the Grants Division in coordination with Public Works have explored various grant funding opportunities for the development of EV charging infrastructure throughout the City. In this process, Staff learned of the collaborative work between Green Paradigm and Making Hope Happen Foundation/Uplift San Bernardino, where local high school students were provided hands-on opportunities in the growing field of electric vehicle technology. Professionals from EVCS were accessible to the program as experts in the field. Through this program, students also visited a few city sites where along with a professional electrician were able to assess EV charging infrastructure. These efforts led to discussions between City staff and representatives from EVCS to explore possibilities to develop EV charging stations throughout the City.
EVCS approached staff to collaborate on grant-funded projects to build public EV charging infrastructure throughout the City of San Bernardino. EVCS receives the funding, conducts the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of the charging stations, including utility costs.
Recently, EVCS in coordination with City staff, received a grant award from Southern California Edison (SCE) through the DCFC Charging Program for the installation of publicly accessible DCFC charging stations. Through this program, SCE will perform all the work necessary on the utility-side of the meter infrastructure. Once the chargers are installed by EVCS, SCE will provide them with a rebate for the installation of the charges. To access the grant-funds the City (Site Host) would have to allow EVCS access to the site for a 10-year period at Feldheym Library. 2 7
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Staff recommend the authorization to enter into a no-cost Site Host Agreement with EVCS to install 4 DCFC charging stations at Feldheym Library. This agreement is inclusive of a revenue sharing model, where the City would receive revenue from charging usage paid by the consumer. Entering into this Site Host Agreement would allow opportunities to expand to additional city sites with Feldheym as the pilot for this project.
2021-2025 Strategic Targets and Goals
Investments in the community leveraging partnerships and grant funds support Key Strategic Goal 2. Focused, Aligned Leadership and Unified Community, b. Evaluate operations and performance, investment in resources, technology, and tools to continually improve organizational efficiency and effectiveness; and Goal 3. Improved Quality of Life by improving air quality and expanded mobility options.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. Funding for the scope of work in the agreement with EVCS would come from Southern California Edison rebates and other grant funding sources, and payments for EV charging service.
Conclusion
It is recommended that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Bernardino, California, authorize the City Manager, or designee, to sign the agreements, and any subsequent amendments, subject to the review and approval by the City Attorney as to form.
Attachments
Attachment 1 Charging Station Site License Agreement
Attachment 2 Site Host Agreement
Ward:
Ward 1
Synopsis of Previous Council Actions:
No previous actions.