BOARD MEETING DATE: January 9, 2004
AGENDA NO. 19
Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee
SYNOPSIS:
Below is a summary of key issues addressed at the MSRC’s November 20, 2003 meeting. Since the December MSRC meeting has been canceled, the next MSRC meeting is Thursday, January 22, 2004, at 1:30 p.m. in Room CC8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file.
Michael D. Antonovich
AQMD Representative on MSRC
Minutes
Minutes from the October 23, 2003 meeting were unanimously approved. They are attached for your information (Attachment 1).
2004 Calendar Adopted
The MSRC adopted its 2004 Calendar, retaining its fourth Thursday of the month meetings. The MSRC-TAC will continue to meet on the second Thursday of the month. Attached is the calendar for your information (Attachment 2).
Chairman Departs
The MSRC’s chairman, William G. Kleindienst, attended his last MSRC meeting on November 20. He served on the MSRC as the representative for RCTC for more than five years, the last four plus as its chair. The MSRC presented him with a plaque and bid him farewell. The MSRC plans to nominate a new chair at its January 22, 2004 meeting. The current vice-chair is Bea LaPisto-Kirtley, who represents the Los Angeles County MTA. Additionally, Diana Kotler, chair of the MSRC-TAC and a long-term member, announced her departure. She too was a representative of RCTC, but she recently accepted a position to head the Anaheim Transportation Network.
Approval of FY 2003-04 Work Program Solicitations/Programs
On October 23, 2003, the MSRC approved multiple solicitations to implement its $14.5 FY 2003-04 Work Program. Included in this action, and subsequently approved by the AQMD Board, was the commitment of $2 million for a CNG School Bus Incentives Program. On November 20, 2003, the MSRC unanimously decided to add the $2 million set aside in the FY 2003-04 Work Program for CNG school bus incentives to enhance its ongoing CNG School Bus Incentives Program. The current program ended December 31, 2003. The MSRC extended the program end date by one year through December 31, 2004, and allocated an additional $600,000 to each of its three qualified school bus vendors, A-Z Bus Sales, California Bus Sales and Bus West. The vendors were chosen in 2002 through a Request for Qualifications process. The remaining $200,000 out of the $2 million will be retained to augment the qualified vendor contracts based on sales performance, subject to review and approval of the MSRC. Additionally, the MSRC limited the incentives to public and private school districts that procure, hold title to, and operate pupil transportation buses. Private business entities that provide pupil transportation services on a contract basis to public and private school districts will not be eligible to receive CNG school bus incentives. The MSRC took this course to ensure that smaller school districts, which do not benefit from large bus purchases that result in significant cost savings, would have access to MSRC incentive funds, and because the large pupil transportation providers expressed dissatisfaction with the MSRC’s incentive process in that they do not purchase their school buses through vendors. The AQMD Board approved these awards on December 5, 2003, as part of the FY 2003-04 Work Program.
Additionally, the MSRC re-considered a Program Announcement offering incentives for diesel exhaust after-treatment devices because of implications of CARB’s solid waste collection vehicle rule, which could result in the MSRC’s funding mandated obligations through this program. The MSRC’s work programs have consistently focused on funding projects above and beyond mandates to seek additional emissions reductions for the region. The MSRC unanimously agreed to amend its Program Announcement by adding new language as follows: Applicants must demonstrate that the proposed deployment of diesel exhaust retrofit devices is beyond mandated obligations and not required by, or in fulfillment of, any local, state or federal law, rule or regulation. The CARB representative on the MSRC supported this amendment. The revised Program Announcement includes a four-month application period from January 13 through April 9, 2004. Funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and provides up to $8,000 per device with an additional $500 per device to offset the higher costs of low-sulfur diesel. As recommended by the AQMD, vehicles operating at or in direct relationship to the Port of Los Angeles will not be eligible for MSRC funds under this Program. The AQMD Board approved the revised Program Announcement on December 5, 2003.
Approval of First Flight of Rideshare Campaign "Pick-A-Day, Any-Day"
As an element of the FY 2002-03 Work Program, the MSRC allocated $805,000 to develop and implement a rideshare public awareness campaign. Most of the funds were used to place radio spots and print one-quarter page ads in 11 newspapers throughout the region. The theme chosen was "Pick-A-Day, Any-Day." The first flight of this campaign occurred in September and October and based on pre- and post-survey results was quite successful. The MSRC unanimously approved launch of the second flight of the campaign in mid-January.
Approval of Miscellaneous Expenditures for FY 2002-03 Fourth Quarter
As part of the MSRC’s FY 2003-04 Administrative Budget, $37,000 was allocated for miscellaneous expenditures, such as printing and mailing costs, computer upgrades and equipment for MSRC staff, office supplies and advertising. AQMD staff reported that actual FY 2002-03 fourth quarter expenditures were $10,705.96 for a total of $44,388.37 expended in the fiscal year. Although miscellaneous expenditures exceeded the estimated budget, overall administrative spending remained well within the 5% cap.
Contract Modification Requests
The MSRC approved the following four contract modifications, as follows:
1) Twelve-month contractual term extension for City of San Bernardino Contract #L0207, which provides $76,792 to construct an LNG-L/CNG refueling station;
2) Twelve-month contractual term extension, contingent upon receiving proof of co-funding by March 31, 2004, for Sysco Food Systems of Los Angeles Contract #01019, which provides $371,293 for the purchase of 25 LNG tractors and construction of an LNG refueling station;
3) Modifications to cost schedule for Johnson/Ukropina Contract #03028, which provides $805,000 to implement a rideshare public awareness campaign; and
4) Increase of $6,667 to ensure the full $60,000 bus buydown for last bus under BusWest Contract #03003, which provides $533,333 for the CNG School Bus Buydown Program.
The MSRC also denied a request for an increase in funding from A-Z Bus Sales for Contract #03001, which provides $933,333 for the CNG School Bus Buydown Program. They denied the request because of the action taken separately under the FY 2003-04 Work Program, which already allocated A-Z Bus Sales and the other MSRC school bus vendors, additional monies for CNG bus buydowns.
Contract Administrator Report
The MSRC's AB 2766 Contract Administrator provided a written status report on all open contracts from FY 1998-99 through the present. This Contract Administrator Report is attached for your information (Attachment 3).
1 – Approved October 23, 2003 Minutes
2 – Adopted 2004 Calendar
3 – Contract Administrator Report
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