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A. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-142 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA REQUESTING THE SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM TO APPROVE THE USE CITY OF CHULA VISTA PRIOR-YEAR UNALLOCATED TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT ARTICLE 4.0 FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $177,800, CURRENTLY HELD BY THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER FOR THE NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATION, REFURBISHING THE NATURAL GAS DRYER, AND REHABILITATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS CENTER/TRANSIT YARD BUILDINGS AND AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATION OF $177,800 OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT FUNDS TO THE CAPITAL EXPENSE CATEGORY OF THE TRANSIT CAPITAL PROJECT FUND (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
B. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-143 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROVING INCREASING THE TRUSTAR ENERGY CONTRACT LIMIT ABOVE $100,000 TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL THE PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER AND MAINTAIN THE NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATION
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolutions.
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SUMMARY
The City's Transit System has been operating from the Public Works Center (PWC) since 2002. Up to 2002, the City was the transit operator and starting in 2007 the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has been operating the transit system from the PWC under a City/MTS Memorandum of Understanding. The City of Chula Vista maintains control of pre-consolidation, prior-year, Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds. These funds are available to the City for operational and capital transit projects and are held at the County of San Diego (COUNTY).
This action authorizes requesting $177,800 in TDA funds from the County and appropriating the funds to purchase and install a programmable logic controller in the City's compressed natural gas (CNG) station's control room, refurbish the natural gas dryer, and rehabilitation of the PWC/Transit buildings. This action also authorizes increasing the TruStar Energy contract limit above $100,000 to purchase and install the programmable logic controller and maintain the CNG station.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because the proposed action involves continuing administrative/ maintenance activities by the City of Chula Vista. Therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c) (3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
DISCUSSION
There are remaining prior-year, pre-consolidation TDA funds held for City transit projects by the County. The City's prior-year TDA balance amounts to approximately $667,000. These TDA funds were accumulated by the City when the City was a direct recipient of said funds and prior to the region consolidating the TDA funds in 2002 at the San Diego Association of Governments ("SANDAG"). Although the funds belong to the City, as the regional transit agency MTS approves any transit related projects that use TDA funds. The MTS Board approves the projects and requests the funds from the COUNTY via SANDAG. The City currently has approximately $239,000 in City's Transit Account 40300 and $428,000 deposited at the COUNTY. At the Council meeting of January 24, 2014, the city Council approved the appropriation of $228,360 from the Transit Capital Projects Fund for the purchase and installation of a natural gas compressor. This leaves a Transit Account balance of approximately $11,000. In summary, the City has a total of prior-year unallocated TDA funds of approximately $439,000.
Staff has identified the following projects for the use of the remaining unallocated TDA funds:
1. The Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) in the City's compressed natural gas (CNG) station's control room needs to be replaced. The PLC controls pressures, temperatures, sequencing
etc. of the CNG station. Staff has been informed that the logic software of the PLC is no longer supported by the manufacturer, ANGI. Consequently, any failure related to the electronic monitoring of the station will be difficult to diagnose, repair and support. TruStar Energy, the City's CNG station maintenance contractor, can continue to maintain the mechanical equipment of the station with confidence, but not its electronic systems. Staff is recommending that TruStar Energy purchase and install the PLC and be reimbursed using TDA funds under the terms of their existing maintenance agreement. TruStar Energy received a quote of $46,872 including sales tax from the manufacturer, ANGI. A fifteen percent contingency has been added to the cost, bringing the total to $53,900.
2. Filters, valves and the desiccant in the natural gas dryer need to be repaired and/or replaced after 12 years of service. The cost of this project is estimated to be $23,900 including a fifteen percent contingency.
3. Buildings and yard at the PWC are in need of rehabilitation e.g. painting, repavement, building mechanicals
etc. The cost of this project is estimated to be $100,000.
Funding/Cost Summary
Funding |
|
TDA Funds |
$439,000 |
|
|
Project Costs |
|
PLC |
$53,900 |
Dryer |
$23,900 |
Rehabilitation |
$100,000 |
Total Project Cost |
$177,800 |
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Councilmembers and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the boundaries of the property, which is the subject of this action.
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. The replacement of the CNG compressor supports various City Strategic Goals. Making sure that the CNG equipment remains operational and reliable supports the Operational Excellence goal, by implementing a domestic, inexpensive and viable energy source to fuel the Transit buses. Fueling the Natural Gas bus fleet will contribute to the Connectivity of the Community and increase the Economic Vitality of the City by providing Transit trips that meet the shopping, medical, educational and employment needs of the residents and visitors of City. Additionally, natural gas is lower in hydrocarbon emissions and contributes to a Healthy Community.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
No General Fund impact - Approval of this recommendation will result in an appropriation in the amount of $177,800 from the available balance of Transit Capital Projects Fund and prior-year unallocated TDA funds to the capital expenditure category of the Transit Capital Fund budget.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
No ongoing fiscal impact - Ongoing operating and fleet maintenance costs will be funded by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System MTS, TDA Article 4.0 funds.
Staff Contact: Andy Trujillo, Transit Manager 619-397-6061