Title
a. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for the Capital Project Fund (404-3200-PFP057-8564) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the amount of $103,136 financed by an operating transfer-in from Other Financing Uses (001-1050-CAO017-8038) to install Level 3 Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers at the County libraries in Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas (4/5ths vote required); and,
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for Other Financing Uses (001-1050-CAO017-8038) to increase appropriations in the amount of
$103,136 financed by the Cannabis Tax Assignment (001-3132) (4/5ths vote required); and,
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer $103,136 from Other Financing Uses (001-1050-CAO017-8038) to the Capital Project Fund (404-3200-PFP057-8564) (4/5ths vote required); and,
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for the Capital Project Fund (404-3200-PFP057-8564) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the amount of $534,969 financed by a decrease in appropriations and estimated revenue in the amount of $534,969 in the County Administration Office Sustainability
(001-1050-CAO004-8587) (4/5ths vote required).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a Resolution to:
a. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for the Capital Project Fund (404-3200-PFP057-8564) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the amount of $103,136 financed by an operating transfer-in from Other Financing Uses (001-1050-CAO017-8038) to install Level 3 Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers at the County libraries in Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas (4/5ths vote required); and,
b. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for Other Financing Uses (001-1050-CAO017-8038) to increase appropriations in the amount of
$103,136 financed by the Cannabis Tax Assignment (001-3132) (4/5ths vote required); and,
c. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to transfer $103,136 from Other Financing Uses (001-1050-CAO017-8038) to the Capital Project Fund (404-3200-PFP057-8564) (4/5ths vote required); and,
d. Authorize the Auditor-Controller to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Adopted Budget for the Capital Project Fund (404-3200-PFP057-8564) to increase appropriations and estimated revenues in the amount of $534,969 financed by a decrease in appropriations and estimated revenue in the amount of $534,969 in the County Administration Office Sustainability
(001-1050-CAO004-8587) (4/5ths vote required).
SUMMARY:
On June 27, 2023, the Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with the implementation of the California Energy Commission’s Rural Electric Vehicle Charging Program Grant to install level 3 electric vehicle fast chargers at three County libraries (Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas). The County of Monterey was awarded pass-through grant funding in the amount of $534,696 on a cost reimbursement basis, and the Board funded an additional $385,000 in the Capital Improvement Plan. However, the total project cost exceeds available funding by $103,136 due to increased capital expenditures, shipping, storage, and contingency for infrastructure upgrades. Staff is returning to the Budget Committee to request additional funding in the amount of $103,136. Also, staff recommends transferring $534,969 budgeted grant revenues and appropriations in CAO to the Capital Projects Fund to capture equipment and improvement costs together. The Budget Committee voted in support of this item on 10/25/2023.
DISCUSSION:
On June 27, 2023, the Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with the implementation of the California Energy Commission’s Rural Electric Vehicle Charging Program Grant to install level 3 electric vehicle fast chargers at three County libraries (Castroville, Greenfield, and San Lucas). This project is in partnership with FreeWire Technologies Inc., who is the main grant applicant, with the County acting as a site host. The County was awarded pass-through grant funding in the amount of $534,696. Also, the Board of Supervisors funded a portion of the project through the Capital Improvements Plan in the amount of $385,000, as seen in the attached REV Capital Improvements Project Sheet. Total current funding is $919,969.
However, total project costs exceed current funding due to cost increases since the original proposal was drafted in September 2022. Staff is returning to the Budget Committee to request additional funding in the amount of $103,136 to complete this project. Additional funds are required for the project to proceed with enough contingency for infrastructure upgrades, increased shipping costs, storage costs, and capital expenditure requirements.
Storage is required during the estimated nine months to prepare the sites for charger installation. In keeping with PWFP practice for establishing project contingencies when plans are not in place, staff requests a 35% contingency for this project. Other capital expenditures were identified to satisfy grant requirements by the California Energy Commission. See attachment “EvGateway LITEON 40A Specifications.” Therefore, staff requests additional appropriations in the amount of $103,136 to complete this project. This information is summarized in “Attachment A: Project Budget”.
Also, staff recommends transferring $534,969 budgeted grant revenues and appropriations from CAO to the Capital Projects Fund to capture equipment and improvement costs together.
Additionally, Sustainability Program staff is leading a working group to plan for the Countywide rollout of EVCS, develop standard EVCS service agreement terms, and manage the collection of funds from EVCS; this working group has members from Contracts Purchasing, County Counsel, Public Works, Parks, and Facilities, and the Health Department. Public Works Parks and Facilities staff expressed interest in this as an opportunity for training on EVCS maintenance.
The Treasurer Tax Collector’s Office has worked with the Sustainability Program to ensure that the financial provisions of this project are acceptable to the County. These negotiations are ongoing, and staff are working to comply with Treasurer-Tax Collector’s guidance by seeking a different payment processing provider with the support of FreeWire Technologies.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The grant application was prepared by FreeWire Technologies Inc. Sustainability staff is collaborating with Public Works, Parks, and Facilities, Health Department, County Counsel and the Treasurer Tax Collector’s Office on the project. The County Administrative Office and Monterey County Free Libraries support this project. The Budget Committee voted in support of this item on October 25, 2023.
FINANCING:
The total project costs are $1,023,105. Current financing totals $919,719, including $534,969 in grant revenue and $385,000 funded in the Capital Improvement Plan. Staff recommends increasing appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund by $103,136 to cover the funding deficit. The recommendation would reduce the Cannabis Tax Assignment balance to $1,791,167.
Additionally, staff recommends transferring $534,969 in budgeted appropriations and estimated grant revenues from CAO to the Capital Projects Fund to capture equipment and improvement costs together.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This item supports the County’s climate action goals and the implementation of the Clean Fleet Purchasing Policy passed by the Board in 2022.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
_X_ Economic Development
_X_ Administration
_X_ Health & Human Services
_X_ Infrastructure
____Public Safety
Prepared by: Cora Panturad, Sustainable Infrastructure Analyst ext. 5338
Approved by: Deborah Paolinelli, Assistant County Administrative Officer ext. 5309
Attachments:
Resolution
Attachment A: Project Budget
FreeWire Monterey County Ownership Proposal September 30 UPDATE
Signed FreeWire Quote
Fully Executed FreeWire Standard Agreement
EvGateway LITEON 40A Specifications REV
Board Order A-16428
Capital Improvement Project Sheet