Title
Authorize the Assistant CAO-IGLA or designee to apply for grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Energy Pilot Program Grant Program in the amount of $2 Million for a project at the King City Courthouse to construct a parking lot with electrical capacity for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, solar photovoltaic panel carports, and to provide an electrified resilient cooling hub for King City residents.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County Board of Supervisors authorize the Assistant County Administrative Officer or his designee to:
Authorize the Assistant CAO-IGLA or designee to apply for grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Energy Pilot Program Grant Program in the amount of $2 Million for a project at the King City Courthouse to construct a - parking lot with electrical capacity for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, solar photovoltaic panel carports, and to provide an electrified resilient cooling hub for King City residents.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a notice of funding opportunity for the Renewable Energy Pilot Program (REPP) on January 19,2022. Sustainability Program staff identified the unfunded King City Courthouse Parking Lot Repaving, (project number 2019:09), for this grant opportunity. The vision for this project expands beyond the parking lot to provide solar photovoltaic panels (PV) mounted on carports to provide shading and renewable energy to the facility. This renewable energy source allows for the electrification of the building and installation of battery storage so that the courthouse may function as a resilient cooling center for the community during times of extreme heat. June 2022 saw record heat waves across the nation; as average temperatures rise resilient cooling centers are increasingly important for protecting vulnerable residents. The results of this project will be a resilient cooling center and publicly available charging stations for King City residents, which will also benefit the Sheriff’s Office King City Substation as the County transitions to Electric Vehicles. This project is a good candidate for the REPP grant because most of the cost of installing electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) is the underground trenching and concrete work, and it is beneficial to accomplish this wiring when parking lots are initially created for only a marginal increased cost; this grant funded project would decrease the overall cost of the repaving to the County by 55-100%.
Once Sustainability Program staff identified the project opportunity, staff partnered with Engie Inc., who has experience with similar projects in the South County, to submit the initial letter of intent needed to apply for the REPP grant. This initial letter of intent is attached to this Board Report and provides a detailed overview of the project. The letter of intent was submitted on 4/19/2022 and staff received an invitation from the USDA to submit a complete application on 5/19/2022. The complete grant application is due on 7/18/2022 and the USDA plans to award 10 grants of $2,000,000 each in Fall 2022.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
3CE, and the County Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department. The King City Parking Lot Repaving project is Project 2019:19 in the Capital Improvement Plan, is unfunded, managed by the County Public Works, Facilities and Parks Department, and was identified as critical in the 2015 Facility Assessment Report. The Capital Improvement Committee and the Budget Committee recommended this project be included on the short list for funding in FY 22-23; however, the project was not funded during the annual budget process. This grant application was prepared in coordination with ENGIE, Inc.
FINANCING:
The requested authorization will allow the County to apply for a REPP grant award of $2,000,000. While there is a 20% match component of this grant, the Sustainability Program is working with ENGIE Inc to evaluate the potential for the project financing of the renewable energy system to provide this match without using additional appropriations; this project financing is similar to the Zero Carbon Project currently underway. Should additional revenues and appropriations be required to accept funding for this grant opportunity, the County Administrative Office will present a Budget Augmentation to the Board through their Budget Committee for consideration and approval. Should the County need to provide the 20% match, this grant funding would still reduce Project 2019:09’s cost by 55% and provide a suite of benefits for the local community. Additionally, the Judicial Council of California is interested in completing the parking lot project, and staff will enter into conversation with the Council to reimburse the County for its fair share of the project. Sustainability Program staff are exploring options for EVCS revenue to be directed to community members as an equity oriented component of the grant.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This project is aligned with the County’s 2035 Building Decarbonization Goal which is part of the 2021/2022 Board adopted Sustainability Program Plan. The electrification of gas infrastructure reduces local air pollution levels, supports healthier communities, and removes public safety risk of explosive gas infrastructure.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
X_Infrastructure
X_Public Safety
Report prepared by: Cora Panturad, Sustainable Infrastructure Analyst
Report reviewed by: Ashley Paulsworth, Sustainability Program Manager
Report approved by Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer x5145
Attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board
Attachments:
REPP Letter of Intent- Submitted 4/19/2022
REPP Full Application
CIP Project 2019:09 King City Courthouse Repaving