Title
Library Department recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Director of Library Services to sign Funding-In Agreement VET-24-0054 with the Sacramento Emergency Clean Air Transportation (SECAT), which provides up to $100,000 in funding to the County through the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District for purchase of the replacement electric bookmobile with a term effective upon execution until December 31, 2029;
2) Approve and authorize the Director of Library Services to sign Funding-In Agreement voucher request REQ-0002960 with the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP), which provides a $60,000 funding voucher to the vehicle manufacturer, reducing the cost of the vehicle for the County; and
3) Authorize the Director of Library Services to execute future amendments related to these agreements that do not increase Net County Cost, contingent upon County Counsel and Risk Management approval, as applicable, and subsequent administrative documents or required fiscal or programmatic reports.
FUNDING: SECAT and HVIP Funding.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In 1990, Assembly Bill 2766 (AB 2766) authorized air districts in nonattainment areas to assess a vehicle registration fee to help reduce motor vehicle emissions and implement the California Clean Air Act. On December 11, 1990, the Board adopted Resolution #90-488, establishing a $2.00 fee per vehicle. On June 14, 2001, the Board adopted Resolution #01-21, increasing the fee from $2.00 to $4.00.
On November 11, 2023, the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects to be implemented during calendar years 2024 and 2025. Six proposals were submitted and evaluated for eligibility, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with preferred project types, in accordance with ranking criteria established by the Board of Directors. On December 12, 2023, the AQMD Board of Directors approved the AB 2766 award, which included a grant of $215,366 to Library Services for the purchase of a custom electric Bookmobile and authorized the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute the funding agreement. A supporting infrastructure project allocating $100,000 for the installation of fast chargers and associated electrical upgrades to support the Bookmobile was also approved under the same agenda item.
On April 9, 2024, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved Library Services’ acceptance of the $215,366 AQMD grant and authorized the Chair to execute Funding Agreement #8352 between AQMD and El Dorado County Library Services.
Subsequently, Library Services was awarded a $100,000 Sacramento Emergency Clean Air Transportation (SECAT) grant by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, acting on behalf of the Sacramento Federal Nonattainment Area, of which El Dorado County is a part. This SECAT grant supports regional greenhouse gas reductions and assists in meeting regional, state, and federal air quality targets.
As a result of this additional funding, $100,000 of the AQMD AB 2766 funds was no longer required for the Bookmobile project. On February 4, 2025, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the AQMD funding agreement, reducing the grant award from $215,366 to $115,366. The Board also approved AQMD’s request to reserve the remaining $100,000 to fund future installation and infrastructure for fast chargers to be used by the Bookmobile at the Placerville and South Lake Tahoe Library branches. If not needed for these projects, the funding would revert to the unassigned AB2766 fund balance for use in future RFP grant awards.
Additionally, on September 3, 2024, the Library Department voucher request for $60,000 in funding through the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) was pre-approved. This funding provides a voucher administered via the vehicle manufacturer, covering part of the purchase cost of the electric Bookmobile. In order for the vehicle manufacturer to obtain the HVIP voucher, the County must comply with the program requirements and sign the HVIP Voucher Request Form. This program requires the County to operate the electric vehicle in California for a minimum of three years and to complete an annual usage survey and questionnaire for three years. The HVIP program will reduce the cost of the vehicle to the County by $60,000.
The Library Department is requesting the Board authorize the Director of Library Services to execute the HVIP Voucher Request Form and Funding-In Agreement VET-24-0054 with SECAT to enable the purchase of the electric bookmobile.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
12/12/2023 Legistar file 23-2163 - AQMD Award of Motor Vehicle Surcharge Program (AB 2766) 2024/2025 projects
04/09/2024 Legistar file 24-0342 - Library Services Acceptance of Air Quality Management District Grant
08/13/2024 Legistar file 24-1295 - Increased Fixed Asset appropriations for the bookmobile by $35,000 through the increased use of the Placerville Library Countywide Special Revenue Fund
02/05/2025 Legistar file 25-0194 - AQMD and Library Services executed the First Amendment to Funding Agreement #8352
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) has assisted with locating and securing this funding. County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed the HVIP voucher or SECAT grant.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Without the HVIP voucher or SECAT grant the Library Department would struggle to find alternative funding to cover remaining costs of $151,125 for the electric bookmobile. The purchase of the bookmobile and SECAT funding is included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Strategic Innovation
CONTACT
Bryce Lovell, Director of Library Services