Report:

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee

Synopsis:

Set forth below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s March 27, 1997 meeting. The next MSRC meeting is Thursday, April 24, 1997, at 1:00 p.m. in AQMD Conference Room CC8.

Recommended Action:

Receive and file the attached report.

Leonard Paulitz
AQMD Board Representative on MSRC

Minutes

The minutes of the February 27, 1997, monthly meeting were approved, as submitted. These minutes are provided for your information as Attachment 1.

Two-Year FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program

Last month the MSRC unanimously approved the outline of the elements of the FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program, including the application process for the Local Government/AB 2766 City Subvention Match Program. On March 27, 1997, as part of this Work Program, the MSRC unanimously approved two RFPs for the TCM Smart Shuttle and Research & Development Programs. A description of these three funding opportunities is below:

1. Local Government/AB 2766 City Subvention Match Program ($6.5 million): through a simplified application process, this program provides a 25% match to cities and counties in the AQMD’s jurisdiction receiving AB 2766 City Subvention Funds. Eligible categories include alternative fuels/electric vehicles, land-use, public transportation (transit & rail), traffic management, transportation demand management (non-Rule 2202), market-based strategies, bicycles, and public education related to clean vehicles or transportation. For those cities/counties that have spent all subvention funds received, the program provides match funding for one year’s future subvention revenue. The program also encourages partnerships among local and community entities that can submit project proposals to their respective city or county. Funds will be allocated on a first-serve basis and will be reimbursed to local governments after the project has been completed. Information on the application process will be mailed to every city and county receiving AB 2766 City Subvention revenues. Meetings will also be held with SCAG and the four county transportation commissions to advise of the availability of these match funds and explain the program, such that these agencies can assist in disseminating the information.

2. Research & Development ($.5 million): provides 50% co-funding for the design, development, and certification of a low-emission LPG engine or conversion kit suitable for medium- and/or heavy-duty fleet vehicles, including most local delivery trucks.

3. Smart Shuttle (the TCM element shares $2.5 million): provides 25% co-funding for smart shuttle services and technology enhancements to existing transit services to establish non-fixed route services supporting fixed route transit and increase transit ridership.

The RFP/Qs for the remaining elements of this Work Program will be submitted to us for approval of issuance approximately every other month.

Advertising Policy

The MSRC adopted a policy to advertise its funding opportunities in conjunction with other AQMD procurement opportunities in the following newspapers, while reimbursing the AQMD for those costs on a prorated basis:

The Los Angeles Times
The Orange County Register
The San Bernardino Sun
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
The Riverside Press Enterprise
The M/W/DVBE Source
The California Contracts Register

The MSRC’s funding opportunities will continue to appear in conjunction with AQMD opportunities in 14 additional newspapers targeted at minority communities, but the AQMD will assume the cost for these efforts. The basis for this policy is primarily because of the 5% administrative cap which the MSRC cannot exceed by law. Most of these administrative dollars are already committed to technical, contract and administrative support provided by contractors and AQMD staff. Further outreach is also conducted by the MSRC through bidders’ conferences, technical workshops, press releases, PSAs, and advertisements in journals and newsletter.

The MSRC also formed two subcommittees, one to address the MSRC’s outreach and another to further address advertising. The Outreach Subcommittee consists of: MSRC members - Chair John Longville, Judy Nieburger and alternate Eric Haley; and MSRC-TAC members - Chair Annabel Cook, Ken Pierce and Catherine Wasikowski. The Advertising Subcommittee consists of MSRC-TAC members Ken Pierce, Eric Haley and David Cowardin. These issues will be addressed in the next two months.

Receipt and Approval of Final Report

The MSRC received and approved one final report for the City of Norwalk Contract #C95019, which provided $300,000 for a rail feeder project. The excellent ridership and success of this particular rail feeder project was discussed and dismay expressed that it appeared that continued funding may not be identified for the project. The MSRC asked staff to prepare information on funding alternatives which could be provided to assist rail feeder contractors in securing continued funding once start-up AB 2766 discretionary monies are expended and the term of the contract is complete. All final reports for the AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Program are filed in the AQMD’s Library.

Contract Modification Requests

The MSRC took the following unanimous actions on requested contract modifications, as recommended by its Technical Advisory Committee:

1. For Stuart Anderson Contract #C96019, which provides $198,535 for a student transportation program, approval of a cost reallocation and scope change to provide dollars for staff and interns rather than parents to assist in carpool campaigns with a portion of the funds being returned to the MSRC;

2. For San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Contract #C94040, which provides $181,410 for the conversion of patrol cars to CNG, approval of a nine and one-half month contractual term extension; and

3. For Local Government Commission Contract #C95004, which provides $83,802 for a Cleaner Air through Better Land-Use project, approval of three-month contractual term extension.

The MSRC also received and filed a "Report on Scope Changes Handled Administratively by the AQMD Contract Administrator" which included one minor cost reallocation for Countess & Cohen Contract #C97015, which provides $200,000 for a remote sensing demonstration project.

Contract Administrator Report

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

Attachments

1 - Approved February 27, 1997, MSRC monthly minutes
2 - Contract Administrator Report