Skip to main content
File #: 2023-0662   
Type: Consent Calendar Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 5/10/2023 In control: Public Infrastructure
On agenda: 7/11/2023 Final action:
Title: FY 2022-23 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program
Department or Agency Name(s): Public Infrastructure
Attachments: 1. Summary Report, 2. Resolution, 3. LCTOP FY 22_23 Allocation Request

To: Board of Supervisors

Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure

Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550

Vote Requirement: Majority

Supervisorial District(s): Countywide

 

Title:

Title

FY 2022-23 Low Carbon Transit Operations Program

End

 

Recommended Action:

Recommended action

A)                     Adopt a resolution agreeing to comply with all conditions and requirements set forth in the Certification and Assurances document and applicable statutes, regulations and guidelines for the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program and authorizing application for FY 2022-23 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program funding in the amount of $713,787 for the purchase of one 35-foot battery-electric bus.

B)                     Authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to execute all required actions and documents, including any amendments thereto, with Caltrans as required for FY 2022-23 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program funding.

C)                     Authorize the Chair to execute the Authorized Agent Form required under the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program.

end

 

Executive Summary:

The Public Infrastructure Department is requesting that the Board authorize the County to obtain FY 2022-23 funding from the Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to purchase one 35-foot battery-electric bus for Sonoma County Transit’s fixed-route bus fleet. The purchase of an additional zero-emission electric vehicle for the fixed-route bus fleet will reduce air pollution and help attain the County’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

 

Discussion:

The Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) is a State Cap and Trade funding program that was established by the State Legislature in 2014. The LCTOP was created to provide operating and capital assistance for transit agencies in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve mobility. LCTOP funding is allocated annually by Caltrans to transit operators based on a formula distribution, based on population and fare-box revenue. Before the State can authorize disbursement of LCTOP funding, Board approval of the requested actions is required.

Sonoma County Transit will be allocated $713,787 in Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program funding for FY 2022-23.  The LCTOP funding requested will assist Sonoma County Transit with the purchase of an additional electric-powered bus. This project, which will also use State Transportation Development Act (TDA) funding is included in Transit’s FY 2023-24 recommended budget, will replace one compressed natural gas-fueled bus in Sonoma County Transit’s fleet with one zero-emission electric-powered bus.

Sonoma County Transit currently has a fleet of six 30-foot electric-powered buses that were purchased with previous LCTOP funding and are being deployed on various local routes. While the 30-foot electric-powered buses are utilized on local routes only, the 35-foot electric bus to be purchased with FY 2022-23 LCTOP funding will have a longer driving range that will enable it to be deployed on Sonoma County Transit’s local routes and intercity routes.

 

Strategic Plan:

This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.

 

Pillar: Climate Action and Resiliency

Goal: Goal 2: Invest in the community to enhance resiliency and become carbon neutral by 2030

Objective: Objective 1: Where feasible, phase out County (owned or leased) gasoline powered light-duty cars, vans, and pickups to achieve a 30% zero-emission vehicle light-duty fleet by 2026.

 

Racial Equity:

 

Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?

No

 

Prior Board Actions:

4/5/22: Board approved resolution authorizing the execution of Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Form and authorizing all actions required for the FY 2021-22 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program. Resolution No. 22-0136.

5/11/21: Board approved resolution authorizing the execution of Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Form and authorizing all actions required for the FY 2020-21 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program. Resolution No. 21-0199.

4/14/20: Board approved resolution authorizing the execution of Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Form and authorizing all actions required for the FY 2019-20 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program. Resolution No. 20-0129.

4/30/19: Board approved resolution authorizing the execution of Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Form and authorizing all actions required for the FY 2018-19 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program. Resolution No. 19-0175.

4/17/18: Board approved resolution authorizing the execution of Certifications and Assurances and Authorized Agent Form and authorizing all actions required for the FY 2017-18 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program. Resolution No. 18-0136.

4/25/17: Board approved resolutions authorizing the execution of required documents and to comply with all necessary regulations to receive FY 2016-17 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program funding. Resolutions No. 17-0170 and 17-0171.

3/1/16: Board approved resolutions authorizing the execution of required documents and to comply with all necessary regulations to receive FY 2015-16 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program funding. Resolutions No. 16-0057 and 16-0058.

4/14/15: Board approved a resolution authorizing the execution of required documents and to comply with all necessary regulations to receive FY 2014-15 Low-Carbon Transit Operations Program funding. Resolution No. 15-0137.

 

Fiscal Summary

 Expenditures

FY 22-23 Adopted

FY23-24 Projected

FY 24-25 Projected

Budgeted Expenses

 

$995,657

 

Additional Appropriation Requested

 

 

 

Total Expenditures

 

$995,657

 

Funding Sources

 

 

 

General Fund/WA GF

 

 

 

State/Federal

 

$995,657

 

Fees/Other

 

 

 

Use of Fund Balance

 

 

 

Contingencies

 

 

 

Total Sources

 

$995,657

 

 

Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:

Revenue and expenditures for the vehicle purchase discussed in this Board Item are included in the recommended FY 23-24 budget. The funding sources consist of LCTOP $713,787 and TDA $281,870.

 

Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):

N/A

 

Attachments:

Resolution

LCTOP Allocation Request

 

Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:

Authorized Agent Form

Certifications and Assurances Form