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Home My WebLink AboutB- 4 Clean Fuel Vehicle Policy ` OFA?G u Ns,y � TheCJALUS8 , 213 E.Foothill Blvd.,Azusa California 91702 (626)812-5224 Fax(626)334-6358 GeoffJ.Craig Assistantnt City City Manager TO: HONORABLE MAYOR& MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE COMMITTEE VIA: RICK COLE, CITY MANAGER 4.C-J DATE: MARCH 13,2000 SUBJECT: CLEAN FUEL VEHICLE POLICY Recommendation The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Committee is recommending that the City adopt the attached policy and resolution regarding alternative fuel vehicles. Background Emissions from gasoline and diesel powered vehicles severely pollute the air we breathe, creating a direct,negative impact on the health and quality of life for residents in the South Coast Air Basin. To address this issue, the U.S. Department of Energy, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the California Air Resources Board are proposing new regulations which would require public agencies to purchase alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs)when replacing older equipment. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Committee was formed at the City of Azusa to discuss the direction the City will take in preparing for this future legislation. The Committee members are the Director of Utilities,Director of Library and Community Services,the Transportation Manager,the Director of Community Development,the City Engineer,the Maintenance Superintendent and the Assistant City Manager. The Committee first met on January 19,2000 and again on March 1. The proposed policy and resolution are a result of these meetings and thorough research by the Committee members. Infrastructure is an important consideration in the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles. Southern California Gas Company's proposal to construct a Natural Gas Vehicle fueling station at the corner of Tenth Street and Todd Avenue in Azusa would provide a convenient fueling source for the alternative fuel vehicles the City will be required to purchase in the future when present equipment 42)/0e1/ ,I/ 00c Honorable Mayor& Members of the City Council March 13, 2000 Page 2 is replaced. Expressing the City's interest in this proposal now will aid in the development of this plan and ensure full access for City vehicles. It is the Committee's belief that it is better to take a pro-active approach in the conversion to alternative fuel vehicles than to try to catch up later when these regulations go into effect. Planning ahead for this eventuality will allow us time to investigate the availability of grants or other incentives from state or federal agencies and other sources for the purchase of vehicles and the added costs that may be involved for training and increased maintenance expenses. A draft Resolution is attached for Council consideration. The Committee is recommending passage. Fiscal Impact There is no immediate impact on the budget to adopt this resolution and policy. However, it could increase future vehicle purchases and maintenance expenses by as much as 20-30% when aging equipment is replaced with alternative fuel vehicles. As the AQMD regulations take effect, there will be less offered in incentives to make these purchases and the competition for the funds will be greatly increased. These added expenses could possibly be offset by aggressively pursuing grant monies that are becoming available now. Staff is working with outside agencies,the Gas Company in particular, to identify such funding. Respectfully submitted. • Geof'/raig, Assis ant City Manager 6)Prepared by,)4e-- 11/1(. Peter MacKay, Transportation Manager 00T03 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ESTABLISHING A POLICY FOR INCORPORATING ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES INTO ITS LIGHT, MEDIUM, AND HEAVY DUTY FLEETS WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Basin has been identified as having some of the nation's worst air quality, directly impacting the health and quality of life for residents, and WHEREAS, it is recognized that emissions from gasoline and diesel powered vehicles contribute to the air quality problem by producing carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides that pollute the air we breathe, and WHEREAS, to help reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality, public and private agencies are incorporating alternative fuel vehicles (AFV's) into their light, medium, and heavy duty fleets, and WHEREAS, by making a commitment to AFV's at the present time, it will allow the City time to plan for the training and additional maintenance expenses that AFV's require, and WHEREAS, it is recognized that there may be an increase in both the cost and frequency of maintenance repairs and a possible reduction in fuel efficiency compared to present equipment, and that, being aware of these concerns, the City will take steps to investigate revenue sources to offset these expenses, and WHEREAS, the Southern California Gas Company (SCGC) has notified the City that it is investigating the feasibility of constructing a Natural Gas Vehicle fueling station, which would allow full access to City as well as other public vehicles, and WHEREAS, the planned station would be located at the SCGC facility at the corner of Tenth Street and Todd Avenue in Azusa, and WHEREAS, the full construction and operational cost of this station would be borne by the SCGC, and WHEREAS, many area agencies may potentially utilize the facility and are interested in seeing the Gas Company continue to develop its plan and proposal, and WHEREAS, Recognizing that mobile source air pollution emissions are the largest contributor to air pollution, and by using vehicles with the lowest tail pipe emissions, great benefits are created for our own health and the continued well being of our citizens, • NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. It shall be the policy of the City of Azusa to ultimately convert the City fleet to a proven, reliable, available, and low polluting alternative fuel technology (including electric powered vehicles), approved by the California Air Resources Board, depending upon the function of the vehicle or equipment. SECTION 2. Where existing fleet vehicles are to be replaced, it shall be the first priority of the City to replace such vehicles with alternative fuel vehicles where the alternative fuel vehicles can perform the same function as well, or nearly as well, as conventional fuel technology. SECTION 3. The City will implement the conversion in phases to take advantage of new advances in technology of alternative fuel vehicles and to benefit from the experience gained from previous conversions. SECTION 4. The City shall continue to work, on an exploratory basis, with the Southern California Gas Company as a potential user of the Natural Gas Vehicle fueling station that is being planned. SECTION 5. The City shall take a pro-active approach in the conversion to alternative fuel vehicles and investigate the availability of grants or other incentives from state or federal agencies and other sources for the purchase of vehicles and the added costs that may be involved for training and increased maintenance expenses. SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 20th day of March, 2000. MAYOR I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa, at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 20th day of March 2000, by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: CITY CLERK