FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 6, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Grant Agreement with Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District for the 2022 Clean Air Grants Infrastructure Program
Description:
The City Council will consider a grant agreement with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District to receive funding assistance up to $38,500 towards the construction of an 8-port Level-2 City Fleet Electric Vehicle charging station at the Public Works Operations Yard.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Sta te Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving a grant agreement with the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District for the 2022 Clean Air Grants Infrastructure Program for the construction of a City Fleet Electric Vehicle charging station.
BACKGROUND:
It is the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District’s (APCD) mission to protect the people and the environment of Santa Barbara County from the effects of air pollution.
In 1970, the California Legislature passed a law that gave local governments primary responsibility for controlling air pollution from all sources except motor vehicles. In response, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors formed the APCD. APCD staff includes meteorologists, engineers, environmental scientists, planners, inspectors, and administrative personnel.
The APCD Board consists of each of the five County Board of Supervisors and a City Councilmember or Mayor from each of the County’s eight incorporated cities. The APCD Board meets at locations in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria and is sometimes advised by the Community Advisory Council.
APCD grant funding comes from the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Carl Moyer Program, C ommunity Air Protection Program, and Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions (FARMER) Program.
2 DISCUSSION:
The City’s Fleet is transitioning towards battery electric vehicles (EV), and the primary goal of this grant agreement is to provide funding assistance for Fleet Services to construct an 8-port Level-2 EV charging station at the Public Works Operations Yard. This grant agreement, along with other rebates received and expected to receive, would reduce the project costs to the City.
The criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Electric Vehicle Battery Charging Station:
a. New, conversion of existing, and expansion to existing non-residential level two or higher battery charging stations, including but not limited to:
i. Public chargers – non-residential charging station s that at a minimum must be accessible to the public daily during regular business hours.
ii. Workplace charging.
iii. Fleet charging.
iv. Direct current fast chargers along freeway roadway corridors. v. Long-term charging at destination areas such as airports, hotels, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, etc.
2. Alternative Fueling Stations:
a. New, conversion of existing, and expansion to existing hydrog en, and natural gas fueling stations.
Alternative(s)
The City Council could d eny authorization to enter into a Grant agreement with Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District for the 2022 Clean Air Grants Infrastructure Program. However, staff does not recommend this action as it would forgo up to $38,500 in revenue and postpone the transition to a zero-emissions fleet.
Fiscal Considerations
Constructing an 8-port Level-2 EV charging station at the Public Works Operations Yard has a total project cost of $88,000. Accepting the Grant from APCD for the 2022 Clean Air Grants Infrastructure Program would reduce the cost to the City to $49,500.
Additionally, upon completion of this project, the City is expecting to receive a rebate from Central Coast C ommunity Energy's (CCCE) "Charge Your Fleet" Program for $40,000.
This would further reduce the cost to the City to $9,500.
Finally, the City has also received rebates from CCCE's "Electrify Your Fleet" Program for $10,000 for the completion of previous EV purchases. Therefore, no new funding is being requested for this project.
To support this project in the FY 2023-2024 budget, the rebate funds would need to be appropriated. A budget amendment request will be com pleted requesting an appropriation of the awarded funds should the grant agreement be executed. 3 Impact to the Community
Constructing a Fleet EV charging station would allow the City to continue its transition to a zero-emissions Fleet. Doing so will assist in improved air quality and a positive impact on human health within the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A- Agreement_APCD Grant_2023-06-06
Attachment B- Grant Information Form_ APCD Grant_2023-06-06