BOARD MEETING DATE: March 5, 2010
AGENDA NO. 35
REPORT:
Technology Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Technology Committee met on February 19, 2010. Major topics included Technology Advancement items reflected in the regular Board Agenda for the March Board meeting. A summary of these topics with the Committee's comments is provided. The next Technology Committee meeting will be on March 19, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. in CC-8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Josie Gonzales
Technology Committee Chair
Background
Attendance: Committee Member Marion Ashley participated by video-teleconference. Committee Chair Josie Gonzales and Committee Member Dennis Yates were in attendance at District headquarters. Committee Members William Burke and Miguel Pulido were absent due to a conflict with their schedule.
MARCH BOARD AGENDA ITEMS
1. Issue RFP for Operation and Maintenance of Hydrogen Station at City of Burbank
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contracted British Petroleum to install a hydrogen station at the City of Burbank. This project has ended and the title to the station was transferred to the City of Burbank. However, the City of Burbank does not have the funds to continue the operation and maintenance of this facility. This action is to issue an RFP soliciting bids for a qualified third party to operate and maintain the City of Burbank hydrogen fueling station. The exact cost, scope and manner of the services will be determined as part of the competitive bidding process.
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Supervisor Ashley), and unanimously recommended for approval.
2. Issue RFP to Conduct Conceptual Feasibility Studies for Reduction of Near Roadway Pollutant Exposures
Numerous air monitoring and health studies continue to document elevated pollution levels and health risks in areas immediately adjacent to busy roadways and freeways. In addition to reducing on-road tailpipe emissions, other mitigation measures may be effective in reducing the pollution exposure of those living, working or playing in these affected areas. Potential technologies include sound walls, tree-lines, sunken or raised roadways, flow diversion, active roadside filtration, or enhanced filtration systems in buildings. This action is to release an RFP for conceptual research studies to assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of these and other technologies with the total awarded amount not to exceed $250,000.
Dr. Philip Fine presented an action to release an RFP for conceptual feasibility studies to reduce near-road exposure to air pollution. Mayor Yates commented that perhaps guidance could be provided to municipalities to include near-road pollution exposure as a consideration in building and safety codes and inspections.
Moved (Supervisor Ashley), seconded (Mayor Yates), and unanimously recommended for approval.
3. Execute Contract to Cosponsor Demonstration of Advanced Fuel Cell Bus
On September 7, 2007, the Board approved an action to execute a contract with Sunline Transit Agency (Sunline) to demonstrate an advanced fuel cell transit bus. Sunline has been unable to come to an agreement with the original bus integrator. Sunline has contracted with a new bus integrator BAE Systems, bus manufacturer ElDorado National and fuel cell supplier Ballard Power Systems, Inc. Although the total project costs have increased, Federal Transit Administration will cover these costs, leaving the requested AQMD support unchanged. This action is to execute a contract with Sunline in an amount not to exceed $400,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund (31).
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Supervisor Ashley), and recommended for approval.
4. Amend Proposition 1B - Goods Movement Contract Awards
In September and November of 2009, the Board approved contract awards for truck replacement projects as part of the Proposition 1B - Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program. Due to the speed at which program implementation was required, staff anticipated minor changes as the 1,358 awards were processed into contracts. This action is to make such changes, specifically to correct an applicant name, provide appropriate vehicle identification numbers, and increase funding, at the applicant’s request, for a LNG instead of a diesel truck. All funds are from Proposition 1B – Goods Movement Fund (81). This item also gives the Executive Officer the authority to approve similar administrative changes, should such be needed in the future.
The Committee Members commented it should be clarified that the new VINs for the proposed seven trucks are for a new list of trucks provided by the applicant in exchange of seven trucks that were provided initially and were deemed ineligible.
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Supervisor Ashley), and unanimously recommended for approval with the modification of the language to recognize the changes of vehicles instead of changes of VIN numbers.
5. Approve and Adopt Technology Advancement Office Clean Fuels Program Annual Report and Plan Update
As a requirement of the Clean Fuels Program funding, the Technology Advancement Office must submit to the Legislative Analyst by March 31st of each year an approved Annual Report for the past year and a Plan Update for the current calendar year. Staff has reviewed the Clean Fuels Program with the Clean Fuels Advisory Group, the Technology Advancement Advisory Group, and other technical experts. Additionally, staff presented the 2010 Clean Fuels Program Draft Plan Update to the Board for review and comment at its October 2, 2009 meeting. At this time staff is submitting the final Technology Advancement Office Clean Fuels Program Annual Report and Plan Update for Board approval.
Moved (Mayor Yates), seconded (Supervisor Ashley), and unanimously recommended for approval.
Public Comment Period - There was no public comment.
Other Business – There was no other business.
The next meeting will be March 19. The meeting was adjourned.
Attachment (DOC, 29k)
A - Attendance