Title
Resolution to Accept and Appropriate Funds from the Michigan Office of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for the Purchase and Installation of 3 Utility Pole Mounted FLO SmartTWO EV Chargers ($54,000) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor has an ambitious carbon neutrality goal that includes supporting community-wide electrified transportation. These efforts include installing publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which allow for greater adoption of EV charging. Since A2ZERO passed City Council, the City has installed 4 DC Fast Chargers, and 40 dual port Level 2 EV charging stations in Ann Arbor, all in the downtown area. For the high percentage of residents in Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs), adopting an EV can be difficult due to lacking a dedicated parking spot, or the inability to easily install charging where they park. This is a major challenge for overall EV adoption, not just in Ann Arbor, but across the country. The Office of Sustainability and Innovations has worked with MUDs across the community to help with EV charging installations, but also recognizes that multiple strategies should be employed and investigated. One strategy used in other communities has been to locate curbside EV charging near areas of dense MUDs.
In March of 2022, DTE and EGLE approached the City of Ann Arbor to discuss the potential for an EV charging pilot focused on curbside EV charging located on DTE owned utility poles. Throughout conversations with both entities, locations were narrowed down based on various constraints such as electrical capacity, adjacent parking availability, and the priority areas identified by OSI. Two locations were determined most feasible located on E. Kingsley and N. Ingalls streets in the Old Fourth Ward.
OSI staff, applied for a grant from EGLE, and was awarded up to $54,000 in funding for the purchase and installation of three (3) utility pole mounted FLO SmartTWO EV Chargers and all the associated electrical and installation costs. This resolution would allow the Office of Sustainability and Innovations to formally receive and allocate those resources.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: EGLE granted up to $54,000 in funds to reimburse the City for the expense of purchasing and installing the FLO L2 EV chargers on utility poles in Ann Arbor. As such, this is no budget impact associated with this item, however the grant funding needs to be appropriated to the Major Grants fund in order to expend the funds.
Staff
Prepared by: Missy Stults, Sustainability and Innovations Director
Reviewed by: Marti Praschan, Chief Financial Officer
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City has adopted an aggressive and bold goal to achieve a just transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by the year 2030;
Whereas, Transportation accounts for roughly 30% of community wide greenhouse gas emissions;
Whereas, The adopted A2ZERO carbon neutrality plan includes expanding EV charging infrastructure and specifically includes the call for street side charging and charging for Mutli-Unit Dwelling residents,
Whereas, There are 4 publicly accessible fast charging ports at City Hall, and 80 in DDA garages, but none yet curbside;
Whereas, The City, in collaboration with the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as well as DTE have identified an opportunity to install three EV chargers on utility-poles in Ann Arbor;
Whereas, Total costs to install the three identified EV chargers are estimated at $54,000; and
Whereas, The EGLE granted the City $54,000 to support the purchasing and installation costs associated with the identified utility pole EV charging pilot;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the acceptance of a grant award in the amount of $54,000 from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy for the purchase and installation of 3 FLO L2 EV chargers for installation on utility poles;
RESOLVED, That City Council appropriate $54,000 to the Sustainability and Innovations budget in the FY23 Major Grants Programs fund with the source of funding being the grant from EGLE for the purpose of purchasing and installing 3 utility pole mounted FLO SmartTWO EV chargers;
RESOLVED, That City Council authorize the Mayor, City Clerk, and City Administrator to execute all documents necessary to complete the Grant requirements, after approval as to form by the City Attorney;
RESOLVED, That all amounts herein are without regard to fiscal year; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary actions to implement this resolution.