Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police Department
Title
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Merced Police Department to Apply for a Grant in the Amount of $99,409.08 Through the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Public Benefit Grants Program to Purchase Two Electric Vehicles, Four Electric Bicycles, and Two 3-wheel Patrollers and Approval to Accept the Grant Funding if Awarded
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider adopting a resolution to authorize the MPD to apply for grant funding and accept grant funding if awarded in the amount of $99,409.08 from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) to reimburse the City for the purchase of electric vehicles.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2021-92, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, to apply for grant funding and accept grant funding, if awarded, in the amount of $99,409.08 from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District’s Public Benefit Grants Program, and;
B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute necessary documents to apply for the grant funding; and,
C. Accepting the grant award and increasing the revenue budget in account 001-1002-324.02-00 by $99,410; and,
D. Appropriating the same to 001-1002-523.43-00; and,
E. Approving the use of pooled cash until reimbursement from the grant is received; and,
F. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents to accept the grant funding if awarded.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2021-22 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Merced Police Department (MPD) applied for this grant funding from the SJVAPD in fiscal year 2017-18 and was awarded funding to purchase six electric 3-wheeled patrollers and one electric motorcycle.
Description
The MPD would like to submit a grant application to the SJVAPCD to purchase several electric vehicles. This incentive program provides funding for the purchase of new alternative fueled vehicles (Electric, Plug-In Hybrid, CNG, LNG, LPG, etc.) for public agencies to promote clean air alternative-fuel technologies and the use of low- or zero-emission vehicles in public fleets. Applications for this component are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with the allowance of one application per calendar year.
Maximum funding is up to $20,000 per vehicle, with a limit of $100,000 per agency per year.
The MPD application would include these items:
Four (4) Recon PowerBikes = $19,409.08
Two (2) Toyota Prius Prime = $40,000.00
Two (2) 3-wheeled T3 Patrollers = $40,000.00
TOTAL REQUEST = $99,409.08
Match Amount = $-0-
The grant covers $20,000 maximum per vehicle. The Toyota Prius and T3 Patrollers each exceed $20,000 in total cost. The City would need to cover the excess purchase price of the vehicles:
Two (2) Toyota Prius Prime
Actual Cost = $59,840.76
Grant = $40,000.00
City = $19,840.76
Two (2) T3 Patrollers
Actual Cost = $46,341.84
Grant = $40,000.00
City = $6,341.84
Total cost to the City would be $26,182.60. The City will use funding from the Police Department’s Measure Y budget to cover this cost.
The electric Recon bicycles and electric T3 Patrollers will be used for patrols. Specifically, they will be used for downtown patrols including during community events. The Toyota Prius electric vehicles will be assigned to the Parking Enforcement Unit. The current vehicles are nearing their life expectancy and costs for replacement far exceed the cost of Toyota electric vehicles. The current vehicles are 100% gas fueled and replacements are not electric. Moving to electric vehicles for parking enforcement and patrols will create a cleaner environment for our citizens.
Funds are first expended by the MPD, and then requests for reimbursement are submitted as expenses are incurred and subsequently paid. The grant program period is three years, based on the date signed by the SJVAPCD designee on the final agreement/award.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting that Council approve the MPD to apply for the grant funding and accept the grant award if awarded, increase the revenue budget in Account 001-1002-324.02-00 by $99,410, and appropriate the same to Account 001-1002-523.43-00; and, allow the use of pooled cash until reimbursement from the grant is received. Budget adjustment recommendations are rounded to the nearest dollar due to our financial system. City cost would be $26,182.60 which will be covered within the FY 2021-22 City Council approved Fund 083 Measure Y-Police budget and no additional appropriation is needed. Without grant funding, the equipment described in this grant would not get purchased.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution