TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents and any necessary amendments with South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to allow ECOtality North America (ECOtality) to receive $25,000 in grants funds to install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations throughout the City. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On November 13, 2012, City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a no cost agreement for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations with Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation, doing business as ECOtality, for a three-year term, with an option for an additional two-year extension. At that time, City Council indicated a desire to provide chargers in additional areas in the City. The additional areas were not part of the original Request for Proposal and were not in typical market areas for ECOtality. Therefore, ECOtality has requested a subsidy for the additional installations. A list of the final proposed EV charger locations is found in Attachment.
AQMD has offered a subsidy for the ECOtality project as part of the City's allocation from the California Energy Commission (CEC) funded Southern California Electric Vehicle (SoCalEV) Regional Collaborative. The City's allocation is $25,000. The City would need to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with AQMD, and AQMD would pay ECOtality directly for the charger installation.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Vu on March 7, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on March 13, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on April 2, 2013 to ensure that ECOtality can comply with their grant award from the Department of Energy, which is subsidizing this project.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no cost to the City related to this contract for either installation or ongoing maintenance and operation of the chargers. ECOtality will directly bill AQMD for project costs. Any minor costs for staff time and for way-finding signage will be absorbed within the existing General Fund budget in the Public Works Department (PW). Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to the local economy.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT
The installation of the proposed electric vehicle charging stations will make it easier for the citizens and visitors of Long Beach to operate alternative fuel vehicles. This should encourage more rapid adoption of electric vehicles and, over time, could have a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality throughout the region.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER