BOARD MEETING DATE: January 10, 2003
AGENDA NO. 17
Adopt Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of Credit Card Payments for CNG Fueling and Rule 222 Equipment Registration via Internet
SYNOPSIS:
On September 21, 2001, the Board approved the execution of a contract to build a new, fast-fill CNG fueling station. Subsequently the Board on May 3, 2002 approved the execution of a contract for management and maintenance for that CNG fueling station. Included in these approvals were provisions to utilize credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) for fuel payments. In addition, staff proposes to expand Rule 222 equipment registration to the internet. This action will allow CNG fueling charges and Rule 222 internet registrations to be paid through the use of credit cards.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, December 13, 2002, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt the Resolution to accept Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards, where permissible, for payments for CNG fueling and Rule 222 equipment registrations via the internet.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
The specifications for the fast-fill CNG fueling station at Headquarters included provisions for fuel purchases using major credit cards. The construction contractor, Pinnacle CNG Company, has developed an integrated credit card processing system as part of its CNG fueling station package. This system currently can process Visa and MasterCard payments but has the capability to be expanded to include other major credit cards.
The Rule 222 (Filing Requirements for Specific Emission Sources Not Requiring a Written Permit Pursuant to Regulation II) Internet Filing Program would allow small businesses subject to Rule 222 to register with the AQMD using a credit card and then obtain a receipt and receive supplemental compliance information all in one step. In turn, facility and equipment data provided by the company in this filing would be automatically entered into an accessible database. This automation would enable the filing program to expand to include more equipment types that should not be subject to a standard permitting requirement.
AQMD's Treasurer, the Los Angeles County Treasurer, requires an authorization from the Board to implement direct credit card processing into the AQMD's account. The Treasurer has servicing agreements with the financial institutions and/or credit card processor issuers or draft purchasers for the acceptance and processing of credit card transactions. On behalf of the AQMD, the Treasurer will solicit and enter into merchant agreements with the various credit card processors.
Proposal
Staff proposes that the Board approve the attached resolution to implement the acceptance of credit card payments for CNG fueling and Rule 222 equipment registrations. Credit card transaction fees for CNG fueling will be recovered through the pricing of the fuel. Transaction fees associated with Rule 222 filing will be offset from the savings associated with automating the registration process, via the internet, as compared to the current manual data entry process.
Resource Impacts
Financial impacts to the AQMD are negligible due to the ability to recover CNG fueling cost through the fuel pricing and the ability to expand the Rule 222 registration program with current resources as the result of automation.
Attachment
Resolution
RESOLUTION NO. 03-____
A RESOLUTION OF THE
SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF VISA AND MASTERCARD CREDIT CARDS AND OTHER MAJOR CREDIT CARDS FOR PAYMENT OF CNG FUEL PURCHASES AND RULE 222 EQUIPMENT REGISTRATION VIA THE INTERNET
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2002, the Board approved a contract with Pinnacle CNG Company for management and maintenance of the Headquarters CNG fueling station which included provisions to utilize credit cards for fuel payments.
WHEREAS, the AQMD has established an Enterprise Fund (CNG Fueling Station Fund) to account for CNG fueling operations.
WHEREAS, the AQMD is desirous to implement a project to accept Rule 222 equipment registrations and payments via the internet.
WHEREAS, the California Health and Safety Code beginning with Section 40400 created and authorized the South Coast Air Quality Management District to levy fees on stationary sources.
WHEREAS, currently, the AQMD’s Treasurer, the Los Angeles County Treasurer, requires an authorization from the Board to implement direct credit card processing into the AQMD’s account.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
SECTION 1. That the AQMD will implement acceptance of Visa, MasterCard and other major credit cards for payments for CNG fueling and Rule 222 equipment registrations via the internet.
SECTION 2. That the implementation of the Visa, MasterCard and other major credit card programs for these two limited purposes is not intended to be cost neutral. That is, the AQMD will not be imposing a separate convenience charge to customers to cover the charges imposed by the credit card company to the AQMD for payment processing.
SECTION 3. That the AQMD will revise its Rule 222 equipment registration program to accept registrations and credit card payments via the internet.
SECTION 4. That the AQMD authorizes its Treasurer, the Los Angeles County Treasurer, to solicit and enter into merchant agreements with Visa, MasterCard, and other major credit card processors at AQMD’s direction.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
)
) ss
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
)
I Jackie Dix, Clerk of the Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the Governing Board of said District at a regular meeting held on the 10th day of January 2003, and that it was so adopted by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
________________________________
Clerk of the Board
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )
I Jackie Dix, Clerk of the Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of RESOLUTION 03-___ of said Board, and that the same has not been amended or repealed.
DATED: January 10, 2003
JACKIE DIX, Clerk of the Governing Board
BY __________________________
/ / /