EPWM:CP:RC:RS

City Council Meeting:  January 11, 2005                                       Santa Monica, California

 

 

TO:                  Mayor and Councilmembers

FROM:            City Staff

SUBJECT:     Support for and Participation in the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) Local Government Match Program.

 

Introduction

This report recommends that the City Council support participation in the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) Alternative Fuels Local Government Match Program of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to obtain funds to offset fleet costs.

 

Background

In 1991, the City of Santa Monica adopted an ordinance to implement California Assembly Bill 2766, which authorized an additional motor vehicle registration fee to fund programs that reduce air pollution from mobile sources.

 

Discussion

The MSRC program encourages the purchase of medium and heavy-duty alternative fueled vehicles.  The program provides a “dollar for dollar” match of public funds to a maximum of $10,000 per qualifying medium-duty vehicle and an amount not to exceed $20,000 per qualifying heavy-duty vehicle.

 

Staff has applied for matching funds of $70,000 for seven CNG medium-duty vehicles and $280,000 for fourteen heavy-duty vehicles.  The new vehicles will replace vehicles scheduled for replacement and are not enhancements to the fleet.

 

Budget/Financial Impact

If awarded, matching funds of $350,000 will be available for the purchase of alternative fueled vehicles, reducing contributions to the Vehicle Maintenance Fund by the departments to which the vehicles are assigned.   Funds received will be budgeted in the appropriate revenue and expenditure accounts. 

 

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the City Council support participation in the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee Alternative Fuels Local Government Match Program of the South Coast Air Quality Management District to obtain funds to offset City costs.

 

Prepared by:        Craig Perkins, Director, Environmental and Public Works Management

                              Renee Cowhig, Maintenance Manager

                              Rick Sikes, Fleet Superintendent