TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Clifford G. Finley, Public Works Director
DATE:August 27, 2024
SUBJECT: Purchase of Two Electric Vans for Dial-A-Ride Program (CI 5719)
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a “piggyback” purchase agreement with the California Association for Coordinated Transportation/Morongo Basin Transit Authority (CALACT/MBTA) and award a contract to A-Z Bus Sales, Inc. (Colton, CA), for the purchase of two Ford E-Transit 350 Cargo Electric Vans (Class Z-1) for the replacement of assets #5550-021 and #5550-023 with a total cost of $426,602.04, as part of EV Dial-A- Ride Vans Project (CI 5719).
2. Approve expense in FY 2024-25 in the amount of $426,602.04 from A/C #651- 5550-685-8400 (CI 5719, Equipment $5,000 or More).
3. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. $1,500,000 is included in the Adopted FY 2024-25 Transportation Fund Budget for CI 5719. Staff has secured over $8.4 million in 5310 formula grant funding authorized by the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & People with Disabilities program (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Section 5310) for this project.
BACKGROUND:
The Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) Program was established in 1981. TOT provides approximately 200,000 passenger trips to residents and businesses across Thousand Oaks and beyond, with a service area of 138 square miles and a population of over 420,000 residents. TOT offers fixed routes, Senior Dial-A-Ride (DAR), and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services.
Purchase of Two Electric Vans for Dial-A-Ride Program (CI 5719) August 27, 2024
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In addition, TOT is under contract to provide the following services:
1. A free local shuttle service (Kanan Shuttle) for the County of Ventura
2. Vehicle maintenance services to the City of Moorpark
3. DAR services to the City of Westlake Village
4. General DAR and special event bus services to the City of Agoura Hills
5. DAR and ADA services to the County of Ventura
6. Inter-city DAR and ADA service to the East County Transit Alliance (ECTA) Two of the City’s DAR vans are due for replacement because of age (2019 models) and mileage (75,584 for 5550-021 and 70,418 for 5550-023) consistent with the City’s Transit Asset Management Plan (TAM). The TAM is required to be submitted to the FTA on an annual basis and designates the replacement criteria for the transit vehicles. The TAM also stipulates that the acquisition strategy for the replacement of DAR vans is to transition to renewable or electric vehicles once they are available.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has also mandated that small transit agencies (such as TOT) must start purchasing electric transit vehicles by 2026 and that all public transit agencies must have 100 percent zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2040. City Council approved TOT’s Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan (ZEB) on July 18, 2023 (Resolution #2023-046). The ZEB rollout plan complies with all requirements set forth by CARB and also calls for the transition to electric vehicles as they become available.
Staff has secured over $8.4 million in 5310 formula grant funding for the transition to electric vehicles for the TOT fleet. FTA's Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & People with Disabilities program (49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, Section 5310) authorizes the use of these federal resources for transit activities involving capital investments in buses and vans, wheelchair lifts and harnesses, and other equipment. The proposed electric vans will be purchased using these funds.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Pursuant to Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 3-10.203(b), the City may “piggyback” onto, or join, an existing written purchase contract obtained through a competitive bidding process prepared and awarded by another local, state, or federal government agency. The vans requested will be purchased using a state- approved cooperative purchase agreement administered by CALACT/MBTA (Attachment #1). The City routinely makes purchases using this cooperative agreement with satisfactory results. All cooperative purchasing contracts from CALACT/MBTA are competitively solicited and publicly awarded to the lowest bidder.
Staff recommends the purchase of two electric vans as they best support TOT’s current and ongoing transit operational needs. The two replacement vans will be Purchase of Two Electric Vans for Dial-A-Ride Program (CI 5719) August 27, 2024
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similar in style and size to the existing ones and will comply with all federal regulations for DAR operations. The two proposed electric vans have a wheelchair lift and an additional battery to extend the battery range up to 175 miles. They can accommodate either four ambulatory passengers without a wheelchair or two passengers who may require a mobility device. These vans also have a step-in feature that allows disabled passengers to board from the side of the vehicle alongside other passengers.
This electric vehicle purchase will help the City comply with the state’s ZEV requirements and it aligns with the City's 2023 ZEB Plan to increase low-emission and ZEVs in the transit fleet. Since transportation accounts for over 60 percent of the Citywide greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to electric vehicles is also a critical component of the City's Climate and Environmental Action Plan (CEAP).
Electric vehicles not only reduce carbon emissions but also have positive health benefits by decreasing air pollution and noise.
Staff recommends the purchase of these two vehicles in the amount of $426,602.04 or $213,301.02 each (Attachment #2). Delivery of the vehicles is expected between six and nine months after a confirmed purchase order.
This purchase meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #6, “Environmental Sustainability” and #7, “Public Works + Infrastructure Investments.” CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 CIP Program Budget)
Priority Two – Necessary, but not essential, and there could be consequences if deferred.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goal:
F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Paul Weinstein, Associate Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – CALACT Letter of Assignment 20-01-1059
Attachment #2 – Quote from A-Z Bus Sales
DPW: 940-10\pw\ev\Council\2024\082724\Purchase of Two Electric Vans for DAR Program staff report.docx