Council Provided Information - 10/4/2022CITY COUNCIL OF SALT LAKE CITY
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COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL of SALT LAKE CITY
TO:City Council Members
FROM:Sam Owen, Policy Analyst
DATE:October 4, 2022
RE:FY23 Sustainability Holding
Account Funds –
Electrified Transportation
ISSUE AT A GLANCE
There are 3 Electric Vehicle (EV) holding account items before the Council for review and a
decision on funding release:
•Installing Publicly Accessible EV Chargers on City Property and Right-of-Way
($214,000)
o Funds for installation of new public access EV charging stations in the City
•Evaluating Opportunities to Incentivize Public Adoption of Electric Vehicles
($150,000)
o A study and assessment of optimal city strategies for meeting carbon emission
reduction goals
•City Fleet and Assessment of Projected Internal EV Charging Needs
($150,000)
o A study and assessment of infrastructure, logistical and other requirements
related to the electrification of the City corporation’s internal fleet
These funds were appropriated but held during the Council’s fiscal year 2023 budget process.
The items are now before the Council for potential decision on release.
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
1.Beginning in February 2018, the department reports the City first began providing
public charging at EV stations for free. The Council at that time approved the expense.
The department reports that utilization of the stations increased measurably with the
onset of free charging.
Item Schedule:
Briefing: October 4, 2022
Public Hearing:
Potential Action:
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2. The department’s request for an internal charging study will clarify coordination about
internal city charging stations and those provided for ongoing public use. My
3. The department’s requested internal EV charging study (City Fleet and Assessment of
Projected Internal EV Charging Needs) might clarify this coordination (between
internal city charging stations, and those provided for ongoing public use).
a. (See appendix B)
4. Specific to the $214,000 requested for new EV charging stations, the department
indicates the money will fund up to six new chargers with up to 2 ports each.
5. The department indicates locations for these public-facing charging facilities are
coordinated via the City’s Electrified Transportation Committee. The plans requested
herein for funding would elaborate the process for selection of charging sites,
especially Evaluating Opportunities to Incentivize Public Adoption of Electric Vehicles.
6.The department indicates the expectation that some or all of that $214,000 could be
reimbursed through grants from government and private sources (e.g. federal funding
or Rocky Mountain Power). See policy question #5.
Resolution 45 of 2020
This document is included here as attachment 2. The resolution is tied into the department
funding requests discussed in this report. In particular, the resolution relates to
transportation goals related to electrifying the city’s fleet, incentivizing public EV adoption,
and providing infrastructure for those processes.
The resolution was adopted jointly by the Council and Mayor in 2020. See section below for
questions and discussion on the policy statements referenced above. It includes a number of
policy statements, such as:
Electrified Municipal Fleet Goals: The City will strive to purchase
electric vehicles for its internal fleet, while also considering total
cost of ownership, to ensure progress towards its goal of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2040. The City sets the
following goals for purchases within its fleet, including target
dates that may be adjusted to account for market availability and
total cost of ownership considerations:
a. All new sedans purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2023;
b. All new sports utility vehicles ( SUVs) purchased will be plug-in
vehicles by 2025;
c. All new pickup trucks purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2027;
d. All new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road equipment
purchases will be evaluated for electric options prior to purchase;
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e. The City will financially support the charging infrastructure
necessary to own and operate plug-in vehicles within its fleet.
…
Electrified Personal Vehicle Goals: The City will support the
development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, plus other
programs, policies and projects that encourage the purchase and
use of electric vehicles by local residents and non- governmental
fleets. The City will strive to accelerate uptake and use of electric
vehicles at rates higher than national averages and in line with
achieving local air quality and community carbon reduction goals.
See section below for questions and discussion on the policy statements
referenced above.
POLICY QUESTIONS
1. Which City department is the decisive authority on each component topic of electric
vehicles and infrastructure? For example, how are decisions made for the various city
departments who may have a preference for EV purchases. For EV charger placement?
(See appendix B)
2. Council May wish to clarify whether the evaluation being conducted will consider pros
and cons of providing free EV charging versus returning to the practice of charging for
electricity at public charging stations, and whether proposed studies would also
evaluate the practice that entities have nationally of charging for both electricity and
some portion of the maintenance, operation and installation cost of the charging
stations, so the programs can be self-sustaining.
3. One Council Member has asked whether the current level of City funding for EV
incentives, or funding a study of potential additional EV incentives, has a
disproportionate benefit for people in society who already have the financial capability
to acquire electric vehicles. On one hand, current users of the charging stations might
have access to some privilege.
a.What funding or policy interventions might be available to reduce
greenhouse gas emitting vehicles where owners are not in a position to
purchase an EV? Will proposed or other studies consider that?
b. Staff attempted to capture two aspects of the equity conversation but definitely
does not intend for the two sub questions above to be exhaustive.
4. Does the Council want to review RESOLUTION 45 noted above in a future dedicated
work session briefing and consider:
a. Does the Council wish to review any part of the resolution?
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b. Do these measures support effective reduction in the City’s most polluting
vehicles?
5. If the funds for placing new EV charging stations are reimbursed from public and
private grantors as discussed above, the Council might wish to discuss with the
department the process for appropriating those reimbursement funds.
6. Furthermore, it is unusual for government to front the money for a project or study
and plan, and have that be reimbursed by a grant. In many cases, reimbursing
expenses for which funds are already appropriated is considered ‘supplanting’ and is
expressly prohibited, particularly by the federal government. The Council might want
to clarify the process on this grant and reimbursement process.
7. The Council might wish to inquire whether a methodology exists or could be developed
to assess the number of unique public charging station users, especially in relation to
the City’s free-charging policy.
a. If the council wishes, staff can gather national or regional information on what
fees others are assessing (cities and privately owned), how it impacts use, and
when cities have transitioned from no fees to fees, to provide the Council
information on how or if they want to charge fees
8. Is the City the best entity to be paying for this? The US government recently made
available significant funding related to EV charging. The Council might evaluate the
funding landscape and evaluate the best City role in this context.
APPENDIX A
One example of the department attempting to leverage available grant funding relates to
Rocky Mountain Power funding availability for installation of charging stations.
In the context of this availability, the department suggests that major upcoming City
construction projects such as the redesign at 200 South and 300 West could rely on the RMP
funding for the project to include charging stations.
If the funding for new stations were released, the department would continue with an existing
application for grant reimbursement on new installations as part of this 200 South 300 West
project. The City’s Transportation Division has prepared site plans that include charging
stations for this project.
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APPENDIX B
From the transmittal
The Sustainability Department, in collaboration with Public Services Department, have
been working to develop the scope of work attached herein for the competitive
solicitation of a consultant to assess the City’s fleet, which will include: 1) evaluating
the long-term fleet replacement strategy, including electrification; 2) analyzing current
and planned fleet usage patterns and 3) identifying future electric infrastructure needs
at City facilities to support a more electrified fleet.
From the Administration-Council staff email Q & A:
Q:
Do you think all City departments and divisions are on the same track with these
proposals— in other words, there are not other efforts in the City that duplicate
or go against the proposals in the EV transmittal (question for all three line
items)
A:
In short, yes, we have worked with departments and divisions to ensure these efforts are
not duplicative or counter to other priorities:
a. General Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Sustainability launched an Internal
Electrified Transportation committee in 2021 which includes members from
different Departments and Divisions, including: Fleet, Airport, Facilities,
Engineering, Planning, Transportation, Economic Development, and RDA. City
Council members and staff are welcome to attend these meetings. The Committee
reviews all Electrified Transportation initiatives proposed by Sustainability to
ensure there is alignment and to avoid duplication. Sustainability also participates
on an internal Funding committee, convened by Transportation on a monthly basis,
where projects and grant funding ideas are discussed. All departments are invited to
send representatives to this meeting.
b. Internal Fleet Electrification Study: We have been working closely with Public
Services (Fleet and Facilities) to develop the scope of work for the Internal Fleet
Electrification Study, and both Departments will collaborate in this effort. Members
of the Internal Fleet Committee, which is convened by the Public Services Fleet
Division, have had the opportunity to review and provide input on the scope of the
study.
c. EV Infrastructure Study: There is a subcommittee of the Internal Electrified
Transportation Committee working on the scope of work for this study, which will
assess opportunities to support and incentivize public adoption of EVs.
Subcommittee members include staff from Planning, Engineering, RDA, and
Transportation. The scope of work for this study is being prepared by staff from
Transportation and Sustainability. All subcommittee members will have an
opportunity to review and provide input on this scope of work.
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d. Installation of EV stations: Sustainability is collaborating with other Departments
and Divisions to evaluate sites.
Attachments
1. Transmittal
2. Resolution 45 of 2020
RESOLUTION NO. 45 OF 2020
A joint resolution of the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor establishing
electrified transportation goals for Salt Lake City
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City municipal government is committed to protecting the public
health and safety of its residents, combating climate change, and ensuring access to clean air,
clean water and a livable environment; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is dedicated to being a leader in the use of clean energy,
establishing policies and programs that conserve energy, promote sustainability, and improve our
air quality; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City’s Mayor and City Council adopted a joint resolution in 2016
calling for an 80 percent reduction in community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City created an Electrified Transportation Roadmap in 2018 with
strategies and best practices for local governments in Utah to support electrified transportation;
and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is committed to fiscal responsibility by reducing fuel
consumption and associated costs for City operations; and
WHEREAS, residents are concerned about air quality and support strong action by
government leaders to reduce pollution; and
WHEREAS, cities along the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, are not in
compliance with federal health-based standards for fine particulate matter and ozone, and vehicle
emissions are the primary source of air pollution; and
WHEREAS, the petroleum-fueled on-road transportation sector accounts for nearly 20%
of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in Salt Lake City and is a contributing factor to air
pollution and climate change, threatening the health of our citizens and long-term stability and
success of our community; and
WHEREAS, air pollution from vehicle emissions harm public health in the form of
increased cardiovascular disease, asthma, lung cancer, and diabetes, with children and the elderly
at special risk; and
WHEREAS, disadvantaged populations face the biggest impacts from poor air quality,
with higher rates of respiratory illnesses, hospitalizations, and premature death; and
WHEREAS, the transition of the transportation sector to clean energy technologies,
including electric vehicles (EVs), will provide a range of benefits including improved air quality,
enhanced public health, and reduced reliance on finite imported resources; and
R 20-1R 20-16
WHEREAS, electrification of cars, trucks and buses is needed in order to achieve deep
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and the benefits grow over time as electricity generation
in Utah gets cleaner and Salt Lake City achieves its net-100% renewable electricity community
goal by 2030; and
WHEREAS, Salt Lake City is responsible for providing infrastructure for safe and
reliable travel options for residents and visitors that support a robust economy and minimize
negative impacts of transportation;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor as
follows:
1. Electrified Municipal Fleet Goals: Salt Lake City Corporation will strive to purchase
electric vehicles for its internal fleet, while also considering total cost of ownership, to
ensure progress towards its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2040. The
City sets the following targets for purchases within its fleet, including target dates that
may be adjusted to account for market availability and total cost of ownership
considerations:
a. All new sedans purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2023;
b. All new sports utility vehicles (SUVs) purchased will be plug-in vehicles by
2025;
c. All new pickup trucks purchased will be plug-in vehicles by 2027;
d. All new medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and off-road equipment purchases will
be evaluated for electric options prior to purchase;
e. The City will financially support the charging infrastructure necessary to own and
operate plug-in vehicles within its fleet.
2. Electrified Transit Goals: Salt Lake City Corporation will encourage Utah Transit
Authority (UTA) to implement a sustained transition to electric buses and will collaborate
with UTA on related efforts.
3. Electrified Smart Mobility Goals: Salt Lake City Corporation will collaborate with
providers of smart mobility services such as rideshare, car share and other transportation
options to encourage electrification of their fleets and operations that help achieve local
air quality and community carbon reduction goals. The City will also prioritize equitable
access to smart mobility services to ensure an inclusive development of clean and
affordable transportation options for community members.
4. Electrified Personal Vehicle Goals: Salt Lake City Corporation will support the
development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, plus other programs, policies and
projects that encourage the purchase and use of electric vehicles by local residents and
non-governmental fleets. The City will strive to accelerate uptake and use of electric
vehicles at rates higher than national averages and in line with achieving local air quality
and community carbon reduction goals.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this 8th day of
December, 2020.
____________________________ ____________________________
Erin J. Mendenhall Chris Warton, Chair
Salt Lake City Mayor Salt Lake City Council Member, District Six
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN: Approved As To Form
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
________________________ ____________________________
CITY RECORDER Megan DePaulis, Senior City Attorney
Megan DePaulis (Dec 17, 2020 16:52 MST)
Megan DePaulis
Chris Wharton (Dec 29, 2020 18:55 MST)Erin Mendenhall (Dec 30, 2020 10:21 MST)
Cindy Trishman (Jan 4, 2021 23:24 MST)
Resolution 45 of 2020 (establishing electrified
transportation goals), adopted 12-8-20.
Final Audit Report 2021-01-05
Created:2020-12-17
By:Kory Solorio (kory.solorio@slcgov.com)
Status:Signed
Transaction ID:CBJCHBCAABAA8ig_Mbez_PtRPuXEMDzjozp6rqv1P0Zv
"Resolution 45 of 2020 (establishing electrified transportation go
als), adopted 12-8-20." History
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Agreement completed.
2021-01-05 - 6:24:12 AM GMT