Title
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board, acting as the AQMD Board of Directors:
1) Award the following eligible Motor Vehicle Subvention Program (AB 2766) 2024/2025 projects;
a) South Fork Arts and Recreation (SoFar) Coloma Shuttle ($246,500);
b) El Dorado County (EDC) Chamber of Commerce Stay & Play Shuttle ($100,000);
c) Cameron Park Community Services District (CSD) Summer Spectacular Shuttle ($2,975);
d) Cameron Park CSD Telecommunication System ($32,243);
e) EDC Fair Shuttle ($64,000);
f) EDC Library Bookmobile ($215,366);
2) Authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute funding agreements for the awarded amounts with the applicants of the awarded projects, pending approval of County Counsel and Risk Management;
3) Approve the addition of a 15 passenger van to AQMD's Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Fixed Asset budget and authorize the purchase of the van to be used primarily for the SoFar Coloma Shuttle ($80,000 of the remaining $188,916);
4) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer appropriating contingency funds for the purchase of the passenger van (4/5 vote required); and
5) Direct AQMD to issue a Request for Proposals to solicit the purchase, installation and maintenance of DC fast chargers at the Placerville and South Lake Tahoe Libraries for use by the Bookmobile ($100,000 of the remaining $188,916).
FUNDING: California Department of Motor Vehicles AB 2766 Subvention Funds.
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DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND:
El Dorado County is nonattainment for the federal ozone standard. Motor vehicle emissions are the primary contributor to ozone. In 1990, AB 2766 authorized air districts in nonattainment areas to assess vehicle registration fees to reduce motor vehicle emissions and implement the California Clean Air Act. On December 11, 1990, the Board adopted Resolution #90-488 that set the fee at $2.00 per vehicle. On June 14, 2001, the Board adopted Resolution #01-21 that increased the fee from $2.00 to $4.00.
On 9/11/23, AQMD released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects to be implemented during calendar years 2024 and 2025. Six proposals were submitted. The proposals were evaluated for eligibility, cost effectiveness and preferred project type in accordance with the ranking criteria established by the Board. All proposed projects were determined to be eligible. Projects, with applicants and amounts requested are:
1) South Fork Arts and Recreation (SoFAR) Coloma Shuttle ($246,500);
2) EDC Chamber of Commerce Stay & Play Shuttle ($100,000);
3) Cameron Park CSD Summer Spectacular Shuttle ($2,975);
4) Cameron Park CSD Telecommunication System ($32,243);
5) EDC Fair Shuttle ($64,000); and
6) EDC Library Bookmobile ($215,366).
Total amount of funds requested by eligible applicants is $661,084 for project period calendar years 2024 and 2025.
The proposed SoFAR Coloma Shuttle project will continue to provide private river users, hikers, bikers and community event patrons with shuttle services from Ice House Reservoir to the Skunk Hollow takeout at Folsom Reservoir along the South Fork of the American River. SoFAR has been operating a variety of community programs in the Coloma and Lotus areas for over 15 years. SoFAR will provide a minimum of 270 days of shuttles services during the two year period.
The proposed Chamber of Commerce Stay and Play Shuttle project will continue to transport visitors from EDC lodging businesses to events located throughout the County. The amount of transportation funding provided by the Chamber will be commensurate with the number of room nights stays at EDC lodging locations. Shuttle transport to and from weddings and events will reduce motor vehicle emissions and improve roadway safety.
The proposed Cameron Park CSD projects will provide shuttle service during the annual Independence Holiday Summer Spectacular event and establish a public telecommunications system. Cameron Park Summer Spectacular event attendees will be transported from several nearby parking areas to Cameron Park Lake. The proposed telecommunication system will allow interested parties to remotely participate in the Cameron Park CSD Board of Director meetings.
The proposed Bookmobile project seeks to replace the AB 2766 funded, end of life 2007 Ford E350 bookmobile with an all electric bookmobile. The bookmobile will be used to offer library services to all areas of EDC, including schools, senior living facilities and community events. The vehicle will be equipped with a 140kW battery with up to 150 miles of range per charge (on level ground).
The proposed County Fair Shuttle project will be free to the public and will provide round-trip transport service from the County government center and the Ray Lawyer Drive Park and Ride on Forni Road to the fairgrounds. One to five transit vehicles will be in simultaneous service during the Fair's hours of operation, according to demand.
If all six projects under consideration are awarded, there will remain approximately $188,916 that will be available for other projects. AQMD recommends utilizing most of the remaining funding to help facilitate the Coloma Shuttle and Library Bookmobile projects. If remaining funding is approved to assist these projects their total cost effectiveness will still be reasonable and the projects will still be eligible.
The SoFAR group currently operates the Coloma shuttle program with three vans. SoFAR owns a van, they utilize a van owned by AQMD and they rent a van from EDC Fleet Services. The 1999 Ford E350 van owned by AQMD is now at the end of its useful service life. AQMD staff recommends replacing the 1999 van with a new transit van. When not being used for the shuttle, the new van would be available for other AQMD activities.
Level 2 electric vehicle chargers are currently located at all Libraries, except the Pollock Pines branch. These will be utilized to charge the new bookmobile. However, to ensure that the Bookmobile has sufficient charge to travel to South Lake Tahoe and back in a reasonable amount of time, level 3 DC fast chargers are recommended at the Placerville and South Lake Tahoe libraries. AQMD staff recommend conducting a solicitation for DC fast chargers. The results of the solicitation will be presented to the Board for consideration.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to award some or all of these projects, nor purchase a van, nor solicit for DC fast chargers and direct staff to pursue other opportunities to utilize these motor vehicle emission reduction funds to improve air quality.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
To date the Board has awarded funding for the implementation of 97 motor vehicle emission reduction projects in the County.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
For project period calendar years 2024 and 2025 sufficient funding (approximately $850,000) will be available.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Forward signed copy of Minute Order to AQMD.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
These projects will contribute to the health of EDC community residents by reducing their exposure to air pollutants emitted from motor vehicles.
CONTACT:
Dave Johnston, APCO
x7578