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BOARD MEETING DATE: September 10, 1999 AGENDA NO. 36

REPORT:

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review

SYNOPSIS:

Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s August 26, 1999 meeting. The next MSRC meeting is Thursday, September 23, 1999, at 1:30 p.m. in AQMD Conference Room CC8. Although I was not present at this meeting, staff has prepared this report for your information.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file.

Norma J. Glover
AQMD Representative on MSRC

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the July 22, 1999, MSRC meeting were unanimously approved, as submitted. The minutes are attached for your information (Attachment 1).

Legislative Update

Staff reported that the Governor vetoed Assembly Bill 1401 (Longville) because he was philosophically opposed to super majority policymaking, but the Governor has indicated his willingness to work with Assembly Member Longville on an acceptable bill. AB 1401 would have meant that the MSRC’s work program was automatically approved if the AQMD Board took no action within 60 days of receipt rather than the current statute which deems it disapproved if no action is taken within 60 days. In addition, SB 63 (Solis), which the MSRC opposed (but which was supported by the AQMD), was signed by the Governor. 

FY 1999-2000 Work Program

At its August 26, 1999 meeting, as part of the $16.275 million FY 1999-2000 Work Program, the MSRC considered proposals submitted in response to the following solicitations: 

• VMT Reductions and TCM Strategies

1. Information Technology/ATMIS RFP #9899-30, with a target funding of $500,000 - eleven proposals received
2. Bicycles RFP #9899-31, with a target funding of $500,000 - ten proposals received (one of which was rejected because it was received after the deadline)
3. Voluntary Employer-Based Rideshare Incentive Programs RFP #9899-33, with a target funding of $750,000 - two proposals received
4. Video-Conferencing RFP #9899-34, with a target funding of $750,000 - five proposals received
5. Fleet VMT Reduction Strategies PON #9899-B, with a target funding of $250,000 - one proposal received 

• Programmatic Outreach & Website Development RFP #9899-37, with a target funding of $150,000 - ten proposals received
• Light-Duty Vehicle Program

6. Light-Duty Purpose Built ZEVs Program PON #9899-D, with a target funding of $2 million - one proposal received

• Heavy-/Medium-Duty Vehicle Program

7. On-Road & Off-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicle Diesel Pollution Reduction RFP #9899-24, with a target funding of $3.4 million - twelve proposals received
8. Alternative Fuel Transit Bus Program RFP #9899-25, with a target funding of $6 million - proposals received from ten entities, but many proposals included multiple projects

The MSRC unanimously approved $20,406,106 in funding for 35 projects, as follows:

• 6 proposals totaling $559,419 for the Information Technology/ATMIS RFP;
• 7 proposals totaling $105,229 for the Bicycles RFP;
• 2 proposals totaling $144,483 for the Voluntary Employer-Based Rideshare Incentive Programs RFP;
• 1 proposal totaling $100,000 for the Video-Conferencing RFP;
• 1 proposal totaling $150,000 for the Programmatic Outreach & Website Development RFP;
• 1 proposal totaling $2 million for the Light-Duty Purpose Built ZEVs Program PON;
• 6 proposals totaling $7,432,425 for the On-Road & Off-Road Heavy-Duty Vehicle Diesel Pollution Reduction RFP;
• 10 ‘projects’ totaling $10,214,050 for the Alternative Fuel Transit Bus Program RFP, with an additional 7 ‘projects’ totaling $9,051,844 on a backup list if additional funds are identified during the current work program;
• 1 project with the CEC totaling $200,000 for its Neighborhood Electric vehicle program (described below); and
• No decision was made on funding the proposal submitted under the Fleet VMT Reduction Strategies PON; therefore, consideration of this proposal will be agendized for the MSRC’s next meeting.

To fund as many heavy-duty projects as possible, the MSRC utilized turnback funds from projects that either did not move forward or realized cost savings from the funding allocated in previous work programs. A request to consider these contract awards as part of the FY 1999-2000 Work Program has been included on our September 10, 1999, Board agenda for consideration.

In the past the MSRC has included a cap per entity within its heavy-duty program. Given the changing marketplace, the MSRC recognized the need to revisit this requirement when developing its next work program in the fall. The MSRC also recognized the need to clarify the intent of the limitation of funds for each "entity," if such a concept is included in future work programs. 

Contract with California Energy Commission for Neighborhood EV Program

As part of its FY 1999-2000 Work Program, the MSRC set aside $200,000 to participate with the CEC in a statewide demonstration of a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEVs)/low speed EV demonstration program. The goal of the program is to determine the potential for NEVs to provide a substitute for conventional vehicle use in local communities and to assist the MSRC in determining future incentive levels for consumer uses of NEVs. The CEC has released a PON to fund projects in this program, and has requested that the MSRC enter into an agreement with the CEC immediately to avoid any delays in funding. The MSRC unanimously approved a $200,000 contract for the funds to pass through CEC. MSRC funds shall not exceed $175,000 toward implementation of the NEV demonstration program and $25,000 for program evaluation. A request to approve this contract as part of the FY 1999-2000 Work Program has been included on our September 10, 1999 agenda.

Funding Recommendation for EVCharge Infrastructure Program Applications

The $2 million EVCharge Program is the second phase of funding for the installation of EV charging infrastructure in the Basin. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis using a streamlined application package that was previously approved by our Board. Applications are processed monthly (through the six-month application period which ends August 31, 1999). To date our Board has approved 16 applications totaling $415,914.42. At this time the MSRC has approved one additional project totaling $70,330.60. A request to fund this application has been included on the September 10, 1999, Board agenda for our consideration. 

Update on MSRC Personnel Issues

Staff reported that the Union has requested that one of the two MSRC support positions included in the reclassification study be further evaluated by the consultant. In addition, the AQMD has received the MSRC’s recommendation that it consider hiring a permanent full-time employee for the third support staff person rather than continue to have those services provided through a long-term temporary employee. Human Resources will review the appropriate level and classification for that position, and action will be considered by the AQMD Board along with the two reclassifications in the next few months.  

Final Reports Received and Approved

The MSRC unanimously received and approved two final reports, as follows:

1. The City of Bell Contract #96033, which provided $204,120 for a Train ‘n’ Wheels rail feeder shuttle project; and
   
   
2. EV Media Contract #98003, which provided $49,953 for a Southern California Air Quality/Electric Vehicle Education Program.

All final reports are filed in the AQMD’s Library.

Contract Modification Request

The MSRC unanimously approved one contract modification for a 16-month contractual term extension for Metallic Power Contract #96013, which provides $189,000 to develop and demonstrate a metal air battery.

Contract Administrator Report

The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provided a written status report on all fiscal year contracts including the Local Government Match Program. This Contract Administrator Report is attached for your information (Attachment 2).

Attachments

1 - Approved July 22, 1999, MSRC Meeting Minutes
2 - Contract Administrator Report

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