REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
August 20, 2020
FROM: JENNIFER K. CLARK, Director
Planning and Development Department
BY: THOMAS GAFFERY, Deputy City Manager
Office of the Mayor and City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to Electric Vehicle Charging:
Adopt finding of a Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301/Class 1 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines
1. BILL - (For Introduction) Adding Section 14-1022 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to Electric Vehicle Charging.
2. ***RESOLUTION - 558th Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule, to add, fees relating to electric vehicle charging (Subject to Mayor's veto).
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends City Council adopt the Bill (For Introduction) Adding Section 14-1022 of the Fresno Municipal Code, Relating to Electric Vehicle Charging and adopt the resolution amending the Master Fee Schedule relating to electric vehicle charging.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council has previously approved the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, which is currently underway. In order to operate these stations, a kilowatt hour vehicle charging rate needs to be added to the Master Fee Schedule and a parking enforcement mechanism needs be codified in Fresno Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND
City Council has previously approved the installation of electric vehicle charging stations through the EV Charging Pilot Program to increase the number of publicly available EV Chargers throughout the City, increase the number of EVs in our community, and to support the EV goals of the State of California, which aims to improve the air quality of the region. The intent is to expand accessibility of EV chargers to City staff and members of the public to encourage long-term adoption of EVs and improve air quality in the Central Valley.
The proposed Fresno Municipal Code Section 14-1022 will allow for the enforcement of non-electric vehicles at the electric vehicle charging stations, electric vehicles not connected at electric vehicle charging stations, and electric vehicles parked over time at electric vehicle charging stations. The kilowatt hour vehicle charging rate is intended to serve as a cost recovery method for the City’s utility and support costs of the electric vehicle charging stations.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has determined the addition of Fresno Municipal Code 14-1022 and its subsequent enforcement are exempt under CEQA Guideline 15301 Class 1, which provides exemption for the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or other minor alteration of existing public structures and facilities, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. The proposed ordinance and corresponding fees are within the Class 1 exemption because they involve negligible or no expansion of use and the only operational change would be existing City of Fresno Parking Enforcement Officers issuing violations for the new Ordinance. None of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed changes will generate additional parking citation revenue to the City’s general fund.
Attachments:
Ordinance
Master Fee Schedule