Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Grant Agreement and any related forms and agreements necessary to receive grant funding from the Placer County Air Pollution Control District to assist in the purchase and construction of two overhead electric bus charging stations at the Roseville Galleria.  

Beginning in late 2024, Roseville Transit will begin operating the South Placer Express bus service, otherwise known as Rapid Link. Rapid Link is a three-year pilot program that will provide 30-minute weekday electric bus service between the city of Lincoln and the Watt/I-80 light rail station. The new bus service will begin in Lincoln before continuing along the Highway 65 corridor with stops in Roseville at the Galleria Mall, Sutter Hospital, and Kaiser Hospital. The bus will then travel on Interstate 80 to the Watt/I-80 light rail station. This bus service was originally designed by the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) as part of the Placer-Sacramento Gateway Plan. Most of the funding for this project has been provided by PCTPA, and Roseville Transit has been designated to provide the service.

As part of this project, two on-route chargers are scheduled to be installed at the Galleria Mall. The chargers are necessary to ensure the electric buses have sufficient charging to provide continuous service throughout the day. Earlier this year, Alternative Transportation staff was notified by the Placer County Air Pollution Control District (PCAPCD) that the City was successful in securing a $500,000 grant to help construct these two electric bus overhead chargers. In order to secure these grant funds, it's necessary that the City Manager sign the attached PCAPCD grant agreement and a SB 841 Certification Statement.  The SB 841 Certification Statement ensures that the electric vehicle infrastructure and equipment has been installed by a contractor with the appropriate license classification. SB 841 language has been included in the construction contract to ensure compliance with these requirements.   

Construction of the overhead chargers is expected to begin in January of 2024 and be completed later that year. PCAPCD provided the attached draft agreement and SB 841 certification, which requires Council approval. If Council approves the agreement, staff will provide PCAPCD the necessary insurance documents outlined in the agreement before the City Manager will be asked to sign the agreement. Once signed by the City Manager, PCAPCD will finalize the agreement following their Board approval.

The estimated cost to purchase and construct the two overhead chargers is $2,800,000. Funding for this project will be provided by a combination of state and local funds. No General Fund resources will be used for this project.

The proposed project involves the minor alteration of an existing facility and a minor alteration in the condition of the land. This activity is categorically exempt from CEQA as a Class 1 Exemption and Class 4 Exemption (State CEQA Guidelines Section 15301). The Exemption has been prepared and no further CEQA action is required.

Goal F - Invest in well-planned infrastructure and growth

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Dominick Casey, City Manager