Title
Air Quality Management District (AQMD) recommending the Board, acting as the AQMD Board of Directors:
1) Award the following eligible AB 2766 2020/2021projects;
a) South Fork Arts and Recreation (SoFAR) Coloma Shuttle ($256,215);
b) El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Stay & Play Shuttle ($123,500);
c) Cameron Park Community Services District Summer Spectacular Shuttle ($2,942);
d) El Dorado County Fair Shuttle ($80,000); and
2) Authorize the Air Pollution Control Officer to execute funding agreements 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 the Department of Transportation’s Fleet Services Fixed Asset list and authorize the purchase of the van to be used for the SoFar Coloma Shuttle ($46,000 of the $256,215 award); and
4) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a budget transfer appropriating funds for the purchase of the passenger van (4/5 vote required).
5) Direct AQMD to issue another Request for Proposals to solicit additional motor vehicle emission reduction projects with remaining unawarded funding.
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 to assess motor vehicle registration fees to reduce motor vehicle emissions and implement the California Clean Air Act (CCAA). On December 11, 1990, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution #90-488 that set the fee at $2.00 per registered vehicle. On June 14, 2001, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution #01-21 thereby increasing the fee from $2.00 to $4.00 per registered vehicle.
On 11/7/19, AQMD released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects to be implemented during 2020 and 2021. Four 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 ($256,215);
2) El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Stay & Play Shuttle ($123,500);
3) Cameron Park CSD Summer Spectacular Shuttle ($2,942).
4) El Dorado County Fair Shuttle ($80,000);
Total amount of funds requested by eligible applicants is $462,657 for project period calendar years 2020 and 2021.
The proposed Coloma Shuttle project will provide service for the Chili Bar to Skunk Hollow section of the South Fork of American River and for the trail system along the American River corridor. The proposed Chamber of Commerce Stay and Play Shuttle project will transport visitors to events located throughout the County. The proposed Cameron Park project will provide shuttle service during the annual Independence Holiday Summer Spectacular event. Cameron Park event attendees will be transported from several nearby parking areas to Cameron Park Lake. The proposed County Fair Shuttle project will transport attendees from parking areas on Missouri Flat Road and the County government center to the fairgrounds.
On 4/1/14, with the approval of item 11-1429, the Board awarded a grant to the American River Recreation Association for the Coloma Shuttle operation. That approved grant project included the purchase by AQMD of an additional van to be used for the Coloma shuttle operation. Subsequently, a EDC Fleet Services van with remaining useful service life was identified as a more cost effective alternative. That van was used for several years. The SoFAR group currently operates the shuttle program with three vans. They own a van, utilize a van owned by AQMD and rent a van from EDC Fleet Services. The Fleet Services van is now at the end of its useful service life and Fleet Services does not have another van available. The SoFAR application inlcudes a request that AQMD now purchase another van to be used for the Coloma shuttle. When not being used for the shutttle, the new van would be available for other AQMD and County activities.
If all four projects under consideration are awarded, approximately $250,000 will be available for other projects during this current calendar year 2020/2021 period. Greater emission reductions may be achieved from funding an additional project(s) now, rather than deferring the expenditure of unawarded 2766 funds until the next grant cycle in calendar years 2022/2023.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to award some or all of these projects, nor purchase a van, and direct staff to pursue other opportunities to utlize these motor vehicle emission reduction funds to improve air quality.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
To date the Board has awarded funding for the implmentation of 89 motor vehicle emission reduction projects in the County.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
For project period calendar years 2020 and 2021 sufficient funding (approximately $838,000) will be available.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Forward signed copy of Minute Order to AQMD.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT:
Dave Johnston, APCO
x7578