TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott Agajanian, Economic Development Director
PREPARED BY: Martha Samaniego, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: title
Purchase of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approve the purchase of two (2) electric vehicle (EV) charging stations from Beam Global for a total amount of $177,695.05;
Authorize exemption from bidding requirements;
Amend the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Operating and Capital Improvement Budgets; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute all related purchase documents.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
On June 4, 2024, the City Council authorized the City Manager to accept an Equipment Rebate Voucher from the U.S. Department of Energy for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program in the amount of $157,040 for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for placement at various City locations (Vote: 5-0).
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Aggressively pursue economic development.
BACKGROUND
The City of Murrieta (City) applied for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) in August 2023 and was awarded the grant in April 2024. The grant funding may be utilized for financing, purchasing, and installing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-emission transportation equipment and infrastructure.
The timeline for expending the grant funds is two years, and the City may request an extension if needed. Staff recommends using the grant funds toward the cost of the purchase and delivery of two (2) solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to be placed at Town Square Park/City Hall and the Murrieta Innovation Center. This solar-powered EV charging infrastructure will support residents and visitors who already own electric vehicles and help encourage other residents and businesses to purchase and use zero-emission vehicles. EV infrastructure at public locations helps to eliminate “range anxiety” for EV users. The City is uniquely located at the intersection of the I-15 and I-215 freeways and has higher-than-average EV vehicles per capita.
One solar-powered EV charging station will be located at the soon-to-be-completed Town Square Park parking lot, and the other will be located at the Murrieta Innovation Center. Both will be accessible to the general public as part of the grant requirement.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was not conducted, as the solar-powered charging stations are considered a sole source. The patented EV ARC™ charging system is the world’s first and only fully autonomous, transportable, solar-powered electric vehicle charging system. Designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States, Beam Global, a San Diego-based business, is the only vendor capable of producing and providing the patented EV ARC™ solution. The EV ARC™ is a unique solution with no direct competitors. Attachment 1 provides more information on the specifications of these chargers.
The Beam EV ARC chargers are solar-powered and freestanding, with no installation required. Once the City sets up the software, the charging stations can be deployed and available for immediate use. Once the stations are delivered, the City has the discretion to relocate them, though this could cost up to $1,500 or require the use of a specialized trailer. The price includes shipping and a one-year warranty. Additional warranties are available.
Adding EV charging infrastructure will help the City toward its greenhouse gas reduction goals, as stated in the table below:
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost of acquiring two (2) solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging stations is $177,695.05. This purchase will not impact the General Fund, as the project will be fully funded through the grants identified below.
• The City Council previously approved the establishment of the revenue and expenditure budgets for acceptance of the U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds, amounting to $157,040.
• Staff recommends amending the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget to allocate South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) grant funds, using $20,655.05 from the restricted fund balance.
As part of the annual User Fee Schedule update, the City will establish a fee for use of these chargers based on the cost of maintenance, merchant services, and equipment replacement.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Quote for Beam EV ARC
2. Justification of Sole Source Form