01-03-1995 - MOU Between Southern California Assoc. of Governments (SCAG) & City of West Covina RE Participation in Clean Cities ProgramI
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TO: City Manager and City Council
FROM: Michael L..Miller
Environmental Services Director
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF
GOVERNMENTS (SCAG) AND THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN
.City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. cs=d
January 3, 1995
®ATE
Printed on Recycied Paper
THE CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM
SUMMARY: This is a report on the City of West Covina's participati w in the
Clean Cities Program. It is requested that the City Council approve
the Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern California
Association of Governments (SCAG) to participate.
BACKGROUND
On May 5, 1994, Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG)
Regional Council voted to seek designation as a member of the U.S. Department
of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities Program. The Clean Cities program is.a
voluntary federal program designed to accelerate and expand the use of
alternative fuel vehicles (AFV's) in urban communities and to provide'.
refueling and maintenance facilities for their operation.
The intent of SCAG's designation is to help streamline the process byl,which a
local government receives a "Clean City" designation, providing local''
governments the following specific services:
• A coordinated distribution of information on alternative fuel. vehicle
purchase opportunities;
• Access to available state and federal funds and grants;
• Greater purchasing capacity and efficiency for public and private sector
fleet purchases; and
• A coordinated guidance and assistance to public and private sectors who
wish to purchase alternative fuel -vehicles and deploy other advanced
transportation technologies.
The SCAG region.includes the South Coast Air Basin, the Ventura County portion
of the South Central Air Basin, and the Southeast Desert Air Basin. The South
Coast Air Basin is the only area in the nation in the "extreme" category for
non -attainment based on ozone concentration.- Both the South Central Air Basin
and Southeast Desert Air Basin are in the "severe" category for ozone,l,non-
attainment.
The designation of SCAG as a "Clean City" in essence translates to endorsing
the cities and counties within its region for opportunities for fleet',,
acquisition of AFV's or alternative fuel conversions. SCAG's designation is
intended to help streamline local governments' ability to be designated as a ---
".Clean City." The SCAG's Clean City Program's intent is to cost-effectively
develop core local government Clean Cities alternative fuel fleet conversion
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City Manager and City Council
RE: MOU SCAG Clean Cities
January 3, 1996
Page 2
and an educational program so that it will not have to be re -invented by the
many governments in the region. The strength of the SCAG's Clean City Program
lies in its ability to provide the necessary local leadership and
coordination, and build upon the region's relationship with the DOE and
California Energy Commission (CEC). The Program attempts to assist cities in
working together toward the following national goals:
• Displace conventional transportation fuels with domestically produced,
clean -burning alternative fuels (AF).
• Increase acquisitions and utilizations of alternative fuel vehicles,
(AFV's).
• Develop an alternative fuel supply infrastructure and vehicle conversion,
maintenance, and related service industries.
• Advance public understanding of the benefits and costs of using AFV's.
WEST COVINA'S PARTICIPATION
As you know, City staff have been actively participating in "clean air"
efforts through the JPA, and various task forces established by the South
Coast Air Quality Management District. Staff has been appointed to the task
forces that deal with air quality improvements related to schools, shopping
centers. special event centers. and most recently, the Clean Cities Cluster of
the Southern California Economic Partnership.
The main goal. of the Clean Cities Cluster of the So. Cal. Economic Partnership
is to improve air quality through the use of technology. Specifically, we are
developing plans on how to make alternate fuels -and energy technology, like
electric fueling stations, more accessible to the public. The efforts of
SCAG's Clean Cities Program parallel the goals of the Clean Cities Cluster.
The city currently has six methanol -fueled vehicles, which were purchased with
restricted AB 2766/Air Quality Improvement funds to help meet Regulation XV
Trip Reduction requirements. Various air quality regulations will require the
city to continue the conversion of its fleet to alternate fuels, such as
liquid petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and/or electric
vehicles. Being a part of the SCAG Clean Cities effort should help us
continue this required conversion of our fleet.
SUMMARY
The South Coast Air Basin is in the "extreme" category for non -attainment
based on ozone concentration. It's is the City's desire.to make every
possible effort to improve air quality for its citizens without having
negative impacts on businesses, schools, and other agencies. The City's
participation in SCAG's Clean Cities Program will be a coordinated effort to
improve air quality through technology. It will also provide us with greater
purchasing capacity and efficiency for alternate fuel .fleet purchases. _
Therefore, staff is recommending that the City Council approve the Memorandum
of Understanding between SCAG'and the City of West Covina regarding
City Manager and City Council January 3., 1995
Re: MOU SCAG Clean Cities Page 3
participation in the Clean Cities Program. No funding is requested at this
time.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Memorandum of
Understanding between the Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) and the City of West Covina regarding participation in the Clean Cities
Program.
Michael L. Miller
Environmental Services Director
Attachment
clean
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN
THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG)
AND THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
REGARDING PARTICIPATION IN THE
CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) is the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
for the counties of Riverside, San Bernardino, Imperial, Ventura,
Orange, and Los Angeles and.184 cities within these counties; and
WHEREAS, the cities and counties within the jurisdiction of
SCAG are also located in the South Coast Air Basin, Southeast
Desert Air Basin, and the South Central Air Basin (Ventura County);
and
WHEREAS, the South Coast Air Basin is the only area in the
nation in the "extreme" category for non -attainment based on ozone
concentration; and
WHEREAS, both South Central Air Basin and Southeast Desert Air
Basin are in the "severe" category for non -attainment for ozone
non -attainment; and
WHEREAS, the respective State Implementation Plan (SIP)
submittals for these air basins contain transportation control
measures (TCMs) designed to improve the region's air quality and
thus bring the region into compliance with state, and federal air
quality standards; and
WHEREAS, the TCMs contained in the SIP submittals for the
three air basins promote, inter alia, the development of" zero -
emission vehicles (ZEVs) and alternate -fuel vehicles (AFVs); and
WHEREAS, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has
promulgated regulations pertaining to ZEVs and AFVs; and
WHEREAS, the Energy Chapter of the SCAG Regional Comprehensive
Plan (RCP) recommends implementing the development of alternative
fuels, AFVs, and ZEVs; and
WHEREAS, the United States Department of Energy (DOE)'' is
committed to energy use in the transportation sector that is safer,
more environmentally sound, efficient, and sustainable, and which
is less dependent on foreign energy sources; and
WHEREAS, the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, the Energy Policy
Act of 1992, and Executive Order 12844 (concerning Federal use of
AFVs) all establish guidelines for effecting a favorable energy and
environmental situation in the transportation sector; and
WHEREAS, the 1994 SCAG Regional Mobility Plan contains an
Advanced Transportation Technology Strategy that includes AFVs and
ZEVs and support for the Southern California Economic Partnership,
a public/private organization, to develop early deployment plans
for these Technologies; and
WHEREAS, the DOE' Clean Cities program serves as an umbrella to
structure and achieve the goals and programs of the Energy Policy
Act and to coordinate objectives of government and other federal
directives such as Clean Air Act; and
WHEREAS, at their regular meeting on May 5, 1991, the SCAG
Regional Council approved a request to the Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Energy to designate SCAG as a member of the Clean
Cities Program; and
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NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED, that the City of West Covina
participate in the SCAG Clean Cities Program in the interest of:.
1. Reducing the national dependence on imported petroleum
for transportation uses, as specified in the Energy
Policy. Act of 1992;
2. Complying with the Alternative Fuel Fleet provisions of
the Federal Policy Act,of 1992;
3. Assisting the region to comply with the Alternative Fuel
Fleet provision, of Title II of the Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1990, the California Clean Air Act, and
local Air Quality Districts' regulations, as SCAG's
region is considered to be a non -attainment area;
4. Educating the Public on alternative fuels and available
vehicles which encourage their use;
S. Assisting to stimulate the economic vitality of the
region and California by encouraging' the utilization of
emerging advanced transportation technologies; and
G. Encouraging the development of a market driven and.
sustained public alternative fuel infrastructure.
The undersigned agencies and entities enter into this
voluntary Memorandum of Understanding in order:
1. To join in a coordinated effort to promote and
accommodate the acquisition and use of alternative fuel
vehicles, change local and state laws to facilitate
alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, and
establish 'necessary refueling sites and .servicing
facilities;
2. To provide assistance in the collection and analysis of
environmental, economic, and performance data on
alternative .fuel vehicle use and experience, and
distribution of information regarding alternative fuels
and vehicles;
3. To.work with SCAG and public/private organizations such
as the Southern California Economic Partnership (SCEP) to
encourage engine manufacturers and alternative fuel
producers to develop vehicles and infrastructure. that
meet local and regional needs; and
4. To develop applications for funding or services from the
state and federal governments or other appropriate
sources to sustain the objectives of the program.
This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended by mutual
agreement between DOE and signatories. or may be terminated by
mutual. agreement. Signatories may terminate individual
participation upon a 30-day written notice. This MOU is not
intended to and does not create any contractual rights and
obligations with respect to the signatories or any other parties..
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IN. WITNESS THEREOF, this MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND WORK
PROGRAM PLAN has been executed on the day of January,
1995, and shall remain in effect for a period of five years; after
which the MOU becomes eligible for renewal.
MARK PISANO
Executive Director, SCAG
Date
ATTEST:,
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney