REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
April 9, 2020
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
THROUGH: WILLIAM C. HERR, Assistant Director
Public Works Department
BY: ANN D. KLOOSE, Sustainability Manager
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to the City of Fresno Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program (Citywide)
1. ***RESOLUTION - 37th Amendment to the Annual Appropriation Resolution (AAR) No. 2019-133 appropriating $783,000 for the Electric Vehicle Charging Pilot Program Project (Requires 5 votes) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
2. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption per staff determination, pursuant to Section 15301(a), (b), and (c) of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines
3. Award a contract to Turn Key Construction and Solar, Inc., of Fresno, CA in an amount of $783,000 to install electric vehicle chargers at City owned property utilizing state and local grant funding
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that City Council award a contract to Turn Key Construction and Solar, Inc., for the installation of up to 87 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at City owned sites Citywide, authorize the Director of Public Works, or designee, to sign all documents on behalf of the City, and approve the AAR Resolution in the amount of $783,000 to provide for expenses covered by the grant(s) funds of $783,000, which will be utilized to purchase and install the charging stations. The remaining $152,404 project cost will be included in the proposed FY2021 budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sustainability Division of the Public Works Department has secured $783,000 in total grant program funds from the California Energy Commission and the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District for the purchase and installation of up to 87 new electric vehicle chargers in City owned parking stalls throughout Fresno. This grant action was approved by Resolution by the Council on December 12, 2019. The intent of the EV Charging Pilot Program is to increase the number of publicly available EV Chargers throughout the City, increase the number of EVs in our community, and help reduce vehicle emissions to improve air quality in the Central Valley. The City is pursuing this Program with the goal of having minimal out-of-pocket expenses during the equipment acquisition and installation phase of the project. The action(s) before the Council will award a contract to a local vendor, Turn Key Construction and Solar, Inc., to acquire and install EV chargers in phases at previously identified City locations. The City will contract with Chargepoint, the nation’s leading EV charging provider, for network services and operations. All EV charging fees will be held to a minimum and based on cost recovery. This AAR will provide up to $783,000 for the grant covered expenses, with the remaining $152,404 in additional City funding proposed in the FY2021 to cover costs not covered by the grants such as City building permits, additional onsite construction, and electrical expenses.
BACKGROUND
According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), vehicle emissions are the number one contributor of greenhouse gases. California is currently significantly off pace to meet its goals of 5 million EVs on the road by 2030 and 250,000 EV charging stations by 2025. The lack of publicly available chargers is considered to be playing a role in the diminished confidence and “range anxiety” of California drivers, and is impacting their decision to switch to EVs. The EV Charging Pilot Program is intended to expand accessibility of EV chargers to City staff and members of the public throughout the City of Fresno in order to encourage long term adoption of EVs and improve air quality in the Central Valley.
Turn Key Construction and Solar, Inc., of Fresno has been identified as the preferred vendor and staff recommends that a contract be awarded using the City’s “Piggy Back” procurement process. During the selection process, three vendors were interviewed prior to the selection of Turn Key Construction and Solar, Inc., including Alco Building Solutions, Inc., with offices in Northern and Southern California and Smart Charge America of Austin, TX. Turn Key Construction and Solar, Inc., possesses expansive experience and knowledge both statewide and here in Fresno regarding EV charging equipment and programs, and was confidently selected for this project. The City is fortunate that this local vendor has already committed to this Pilot Program by assisting the City with meeting the October 1, 2019, grant application(s) deadline, completing pre-assessments of City sites, and equipment acquisitions.
There have been in excess of 12 City owned locations identified Citywide for consideration which will be pursued in three phases. The condition of the grant(s) state that EV Chargers cannot be installed in “assigned” stalls or parking lots that are not available to the public. Attached is the document which lists the proposed locations and preliminary cost estimates per site. Currently these locations, which were identified prior to the October 1, 2019 application deadline, are going through a complete analysis to determine the most feasible placement that will fit within the parameters of the Pilot Program and grant requirements. These locations are not transferrable as per the grant terms, and will be finalized depending upon readily available electric infrastructure to allow for immediate installation within the grant deadlines. This approach is being taken to reduce costs and keep installation affordable and within the available limited funding. The Council will receive an updated Pilot Program status report and recommendation, once the installation site assessments are complete.
This action is time sensitive as the grant deadline requires all EV chargers be installed within 180 days of grant acceptance. The initial deadline occurs in April 2020, and extensions can be granted based on municipal requirements for procurement and permitting, and should include project progress being demonstrated. Staff has begun the process of requesting an extension.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
By the definition in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the Categorical Exemption set forth in CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(a), 15301(b), and 15301 (c), which exempts the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing structures or facilities, with no further expansion of existing use. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, Section 15300.2 apply to this project, therefore the project is exempt.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not implemented because this is a cooperative purchase. City staff was fortunate to receive a strong reference for a local vendor who was selected to provide this service to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant(s) funding includes $783,000 for the acquisition and installation of EV chargers. The impact to the City budget is limited to $152,404 which will be included in the proposed FY2021 budget.
Attachments:
Resolution
Cooperative Purchase Agreement
EV Charging Pilot Program Presentation
EV Charging Proposed Locations
Exhibit A Original Government Contract
Exhibit B City’s Insurance and Indemnity