Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-217 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN SDG&E’S POWER YOUR DRIVE PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Staff is requesting Council approval of City participation in SDG&E’s Power Your Drive Program, authorizing staff to work with the City attorney to execute the necessary documents - Site Host Participation Agreement and Easement for the installation and placement of the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging units at select City facilities. These EV chargers will be for fleet vehicles and employee vehicles, assisting the City in meeting our fleet alternative vehicle goals and employee alternative commuting goals within our City Operations Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Environmental Notice
Environmental Notice
The Project qualifies for a Class 3 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
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Environmental Determination
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 3 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) of the State CEQA Guidelines. Thus, no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
In support of California’s goal to reach 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2025 and infrastructure to support more than 1 million zero-emission vehicles by 2020, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) will install, operate and maintain electric vehicle charging stations at qualifying and selected multifamily and workplace settings as part of SDG&E’s Power Your Drive Program (Program). Through the Program, SDG&E has been authorized by the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to install 3,500 electric vehicle charging stations across their service area. At least 10% of the charging stations will be installed in disadvantaged communities. Site selection is determined through the following qualifications -
• Offer apartment, condo or workplace charging sites with long duration parking.
• Have a current or expected number of EV drivers that will use the charging stations, and/or be willing to survey your residents or employees as to their propensity for driving electric.
• Agree to an easement.
• Sign a participation agreement.
• Make a participation payment as applicable (free to municipalities for fleet and employee vehicles).
• Select a charging station company from an approved list.
• 10% of the charging stations will go in disadvantaged communities.
• Select a billing option:
Bill to Owner: The apartment or business pays the cost for all drivers as an amenity, or
Bill to Driver: The cost is paid for by the drivers, and each driver is billed via their SDG&E bill.
• Meet accessibility requirements of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Promote electric vehicle use and benefits to residents or employees to ensure the charging stations are used.
City Staff met with the Power Your Drive team and conducted a walk-through of City facilities with the greatest number of drivers. Chula Vista has been approved for SDG&E’s Power Your Drive charging stations for four City locations: City Hall - Fleet 20 chargers; Public Works Yard - 10 chargers (with an additional request pending for 10 more); Police Department - 10 chargers (with a pending request for 10 more); and City Hall - Employee Parking lot 20 chargers.
There will need to be some shifting of reserved and defined parking spaces to be able to accommodate the EV charging parking areas, as they need to be in close proximity to the existing transformers. The chargers will be a completely separate service, metered separately and will not be part of the City’s existing service. SDG&E will own, operate and maintain the EV charging system. No maintenance required and no billing to employees by the City, all will be handled by SDG&E.
The Economic Development Department, Office of Sustainability, conducted an employee survey in July 2016 to determine how many employees currently drive electric vehicles, are thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle or would consider it if we had charging infrastructure to accommodate increased electric vehicle participation. There was strong enthusiasm from the employees that responded to the survey.
Additionally, Chula Vista has built into the Climate Action Plan and the City Operations Sustainability Plan goals for converting the City fleet to alternative fuels and alternative technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through SDG&E’s program Chula Vista will have the infrastructure support to exceed our current goal of having 40% of the fleet alternative vehicles by 2020. Additionally, participation in Power Your Drive will help increase our employee sustainable commuting goal of 30% by 2020.
Staff is requesting Council approval of City participation in SDG&E’s Power Your Drive Program, authorizing staff to work with the City attorney to execute the necessary documents - Site Host Participation Agreement and Easement for the installation and placement of the EV charging units.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council members and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property which is the subject of this action. Consequently, this item does not present a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), for purposes of the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov’t Code §87100,et seq.).
Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Participation in the Power Your Drive Program with SDG&E contributes to the Operational Excellence and Heathy Community goals as it assists with the implementation of strategies and programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promotes sustainability, meeting our City Operations Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Plan goals.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
There is no current year impact to the General Fund with approval of participation in Power Your Drive Program with SDG&E as they will install, operate, maintain and bill for the services. The City is providing SDG&E easements at each location for the placement of the equipment.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing impact to the General Fund as SDG&E will have the responsibility for installation, operation, maintenance and billing. There will be a change in the fleet operations from gasoline vehicles to electric and the change of fuel types, which over time should provide reduced operational costs to the City.
ATTACHMENTS
Staff Contact: Lynn France, Economic Development Office of Sustainability