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REPORT:

Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review

SYNOPSIS:

Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s January 28, 1999 meeting. The next MSRC meeting is Thursday, February 25, 1999, at 1:30 p.m. in AQMD Conference Room CC8.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Receive and file this report.

Ronald Loveridge
AQMD Alternate Board Representative

Approval of Minutes

Minutes from the December 10, 1998, MSRC meeting were unanimously approved, as submitted. The minutes are attached for your information (Attachment 1).

EVCharge Application Package

As part of its FY 1997-99 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program, the MSRC established a $2 million EVCharge Program to reduce mobile source emissions by providing public charging infrastructure to support EVs in the Basin. Through a simplified application process, this program provides match funding to retrofit existing EV stations or construct new stations in deficient areas within four eligible categories. Eligible categories include major destinations (70% match), workplaces/fleets (40% match), charging site expansion (70% match), and municipal sites (50% match). The MSRC’s EV Infrastructure Planning and Implementation Consultant, The Planning Center, developed an EVCharge Application Package that details the funding available, the eligible match categories, and how to apply for funding. At its January 28, 1999 meeting, the MSRC unanimously approved the EVCharge Application Package. At the February 13, 1999 Governing Board meeting, the MSRC is requesting Board approval of the application package and eligible funding categories as well as authority to execute agreements by the Contracts Manager and the ability to adjust up to 10% on EVCharge contracts.

Management Audit

The MSRC contracted with Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio & Associates to conduct a management audit to determine if staff support functions could be streamlined or consolidated and administrative costs reduced. A subcommittee of Technical Advisory Committee members, chaired by Daniela Fernandez of San Bernardino County, reviewed the results of the management audit and developed recommendations for the MSRC’s consideration. At its January 28, 1999 meeting the MSRC considered those recommendations. Consequently, the MSRC requests that the AQMD investigate the feasibility of reclassifying two existing MSRC staff positions—a Staff Assistant and an Office Assistant. In addition, the MSRC requests that the AQMD investigate the feasibility of combining the two secretarial support positions (occupied by an Administrative Secretary and a Sr. Administrative Secretary) into a contract position. The MSRC requests that the AQMD work with the its Technical Advisory Committee to expedite these two recommendations. The MSRC also approved two other recommendations to: 1) direct its Scope Changes Subcommittee to develop recommendations on how to reduce work load by streamlining scope changes and other contractual issues; and 2) work with the AQMD during its budget process to better understand the overhead and fringe expenses charged to the MSRC. The remaining recommendations from the management audit will be discussed by the MSRC at its next meeting in February.

Extension of Project End Date for AB 2766 Subvention Match Program

The MSRC’s $3 million Local Government Subvention Match Program provided a 25% match to cities and counties within the AQMD’s jurisdiction that receive AB 2766 City Subvention Funds and met eight eligible match categories. The program was designed to encourage cities and counties to implement projects that have a high potential for reducing motor vehicle emissions. One hundred projects were funded. All projects were to be completed by June 30, 1999, and match monies were to be paid on a reimbursed basis only. A small percentage of the contractors will not be able to meet the June 30, 1999 deadline. Consequently, the MSRC approved a "blanket" extension through December 30, 1999, for the completion of all projects. Although this is intended to be a one-time extension only to assist local governments and reduce the administrative effort, the MSRC will review the status of projects again in September.

Approval of Qualifications Package for Nissan Altra EV for Participation in the MSRC’s EV "Quick Charge" Buydown Program

In September 1996 we approved the first qualified manufacturer and qualifications package for participation in the MSRC’s EV "Quick Charge" Buydown Program. At that time we authorized the MSRC to approve future qualification packages. The MSRC unanimously approved the qualifications package for the Nissan Altra EV as part of the FY 1995-97 AB 2766 Discretionary Fund Work Program. The Nissan Altra EV is a four-seat hatchback style minivan equipped with advanced lithium-ion batteries and has a range of 120 miles. The MSRC’s contribution will reduce the lease price from $755 to $599 per month. Including this vehicle, the MSRC has approved seven vehicles for participation in the $5,000 buydown program.

FY 1999-2000 Work Program

At its last meeting the MSRC approved in concept its FY 1999-2000 Work Program, and information on the work program components were reported to the Governing Board via the MSRC committee report. At its January 28, 1999 meeting, the MSRC agreed to implement a three-tiered approach for its FY 1999-2000 Work Program.

1. In late February, the MSRC will release two Program Opportunity Notices (PONs) for a Light-Duty Vehicle Repair Assistance Program ($100,000) and an Innovative VMT and Trip Reductions Program ($1.5 million). The PONs may or may not result in the release of RFPs.

2. In March, RFPs for the components under its Heavy-/Medium-Duty Vehicle Program, providing $9.6 million in funding, will be released.

3. In April, RFPs for the remainder of the work program components will be released.

The MSRC also discussed the Carl Moyer Fund and appointed three individuals—MSRC Chair Greg Winterbottom and Technical Advisory Committee Chair Michelle Kirkhoff and Vice Chair Doug Kim—to participate on the Carl Moyer Fund Advisory Committee. Monies from the FY 1999-2000 Work Program may be allocated as the local match to the Carl Moyer Fund.

Final Reports Received and Approved

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

1. U.S. Electricar Inc. Contract #95017, which provided $325,000 for electrification of airport ground service equipment;
2. A-Z Bus Sales, Inc.Contract #95022, which provided $2,128,469 for an Electric and Compressed Natural Gas School Bus Program;
3. University of California Riverside Contract #96023, which provided $637,284 for a hydrogen-powered advanced hybrid electric vehicle;
4. Southern California Association of Governments Contract #96027, which provided $304,000 for a heavy-duty truck model and VMT estimation;
5. Stevens/Garland Associates Inc. Contract #96031, which provided $173,375 for a Transit Integration Program;
6. Local Government Commission Contract #97003, which provided $125,000 for a Land-Use Education and Training Project; and
7. Southern California Association of Governments Contract #97014, which provided $25,000 for a Land-Use Education and Training Project in conjunction with the work conducted by the Local Government Commission.

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

Contract Modification Requests

The MSRC took the following unanimous actions on requested contract modifications:

1. Approval of Novation to Power Systems and Nine and One-Half Months Contractual Term Extension for Amoco Oil Company Contract #97011, which provides $1,454,000 for a heavy-duty LNG fleet demonstration;
2. Approval of Scope Change to Expand Number of Participating Students and Schools for MBI Media Contract #98008, which provides $46,323 for a Student Education Program; and
3. Approval of Four-Month Contractual Term Extension for Orange County Transportation Authority Contract #99002, which provides $1,860,000 for the purchase of 186 LNG buses. A four-month extension will also be
   offered to other transit operators funded under the FY 1997-98 Work
   Program.

The MSRC also received and filed a report on "Scope Changes Handled Administratively by the AQMD Contracts Administrator" which included one minor contract modification for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Contract #99033, which provides $3,675,000 for CNG transit bus purchases.

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 December 10, 1998, MSRC Meeting Minutes
2 - Contract Administrator Report

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