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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1993/04/22 MINUTES OF REGULAR WORKSESSION/MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Thursday, April 22, 1993 Council Conference Room 4:08 p.m. Administration Building CALL TO ORDER 1. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Fox, Moore, Rindone, and Mayor Nader. ABSENT: Councilmember Horxon STAFF PRESENT: George Krempl, Ruth Fritsch, and Beverly A. Authelet. GUEST: Supervisor Brian Bilbray BUSINESS 2. APPLICATION OF ALTERNATIVE ENF~GY TO POWER IN MUNICIPAL VEHIcI J=.~; - In January 1993, Council directed staff to address the use of alternative fuels (especially methanoi) for fleet vehicles. John Lippitt, Director of Public Works, stated that State and Federal laws mandate clean air in the region, and they are going to be requiring fleets to look at ways to reduce their pollutants into the air. Thus, the subject for the evening's presentation. Because Betsy Anderson from South Bay Chewolet had to leave early, her presentation was made first. Betsy Anderson, Fleet Manager for South Bay Chewolet, addressed the availability of alternative fuel vehicles which were not offered through state bid. She stated that variable fuel (gasoline or methanoi) vehicles are available this year, 1993; they will not be offered in 1994. There has not been enough demand to continue the variable fuel. Councilman Rindone wanted to know if demand was the only factor. Ms. Anderson responded that she did not know but would be talking with Detroit after the meeting, and she would inquire. Ms. Anderson stated that natural gas is available this year and will be available next year. Natural gas is offered in the full-sized pickups. There are 1992 full-sized pickups still available in the natural gas. There is $1700 per unit incentive for each one. There is also free ten gallon auxiliary tank being offered. The $1700 incentive is not offered for the 1994 vehicles. However, the City can get bid assistance from Chewolet. Bid assistance can sometimes exceed $1700 per unit. Miles per gallon on natural gas around the city can be approximately 13 to 19 miles per gallon; on the highway 17 to 24 miles per gallon. Jack Dickens, Fleet Manager, presented slides of vehicles using alternative fuels. Slides also depicted storage, delivery, and efficiency of alternative fuels. Councilman Moore suggested that a matrix be developed to compare operations (up hill, down hill, life time weight of 20 gallons of gas versus other type of fuel, space, etc.); cost (fuel per mile); safety (in operations, in collisions, safety at the station versus on the highway); maintenance; performance; type of vehicles available (ones we normally buy and why). Mayor Nader stated effectiveness of the various fuels in achieving clean air should be included on the matrix. Supervisor Brian Bilbray was introduced. Mayor Nader stated he had informed the Supervisor of the Minutes April 22, 1993 Page 2 workshop since they have had conversations on ways the city and county could work together to facilitate development of the use natural gas vehicles. Barbara Bamberger, Environmental Resource Manager, made a slide presentation addressing the issues of why it was necessary to consider alternative fuels; what the current local, state, and federal regulations were; what the air quality impacts were; and the alternative fuels which were available. The types of fuel discussed were compressed natural gas (CNG), electric power, ethanol, and propane. Since Dr. Ghougassian was unable to attend the workshop, his presentation on methanoi fuel was continued to the May 4th council meeting. Counc~man Rindone stated he had requested that we go out to bid for the fleet. Would it not be prudent to delay this in order to look at using one of these alternative fuels. Ms. Bamberger responded that we needed to look at purchasing alternative fuel vehicles; we can do this through retrofits and by purchasing dedicated vehicles. If we can't get on the state bid, we can get discounts through South Bay Chevrolet. One thing which is important is that the air quality strategy which the City is going to have to comply with under the APCD has an element in it that would give us credits ffwe were to purchase alternative fuel vehicles and use it as part of our employer trip reduction program. What the ARB is now asking is that all of the credits which would have been given to employers for purchasing alternative fuel vehicles to be used during the commute time won't apply unless you retrofit your vehicle. Councilman Moore asked if there were some recommendations before the Council? Ms. Bamberger responded there were two recommendations: (1) come back to Council with specific policy recommendations to include alternative fuel vehicles as a procurement policy; and (2) Council might wish to take some action after they hear from the Calstart representative. Councilman Rindone stated it would help if staff would get recommendations to Council on the purchase of vehicles when there are not other constraints on the Council. * * * Councilman Rindone left at 5:15 p.m. * * * Neff Sybert, representative from SDG&E, spoke on why use natural gas vehicles and the issue of electric vehicles. He stated that SDG&E's goal was to demonstrate and educate. There is currently about $3.4 million available through AB 2766 for vehicle emission reduction programs which is controlled through the APCD abd comes out of the motor vehicle registration fee. This could go for stations, infrastructure, or for vehicles. Charlie Eshelman, Senior Financial Analyst, went over the electric component which SDG&E is involved with. Tom Miller, representing San Diego Consortium and the Private Industry Council, addressed how the City could work with local businesses in conjunction with Calstart. He stated that fithe city gets into the hybrid or electric vehicles, there might be a multiplying effect of the dollars invested because there is federal funding available for various technologies related to transportation. It does require matching funds. However, it doesn't mean exactly dollars if you are providing a resource upon which some of the development can be performed that would counotate a match which in turn might provide additional development of an industry in the area. Ms. Bamberger stated that staff is recommending that the Council consider putting together a group of local businesses that could work with PIC and Calstart to try to work with the program to create electric vehicle components. They would be looking specifically for companies that are in the defense industi3r that have dual technologies that could be used now in civilian purposes; Rohr Industries would be a good candidate to get involved in this effort. Calstart currently has some ARPA funding, and they are looking for a city to Minutes April 22, 1993 Page 3 become their model city to basically demonstrate some of their electric vehicles in conjunction with Calsta~ and potentially one of the utilities or a business to split the 50/50 match. Mr. Miller stated that what they would like is an initial thumb-nail sketch of the capabilities that are here and reside in the County, and once gaining that, they would like to proceed with a closer and more direct relationship with either a city, company, or group of companies. The ARPA funding which was presented is roughly about $500 million this year which is a cross of variety of technologies which includes twansportation. There are various mixes of the teams which could go after the funding. Jim Harris, from Zero Emissions Corp., stated there wasn't any more pollution with electric ears because the power plants are running all the time anyway. Won't be a problem until 2001-2005. He stated that infrastructure for eleclric vehicles its basically here; every 110 electric outlet in your home is an infrastructure. Councilman Moore stated he had a concern regarding the recharging of batteries since they can explode and give off adverse gasses. Kevin Kerr, representing Suburban Petrolane, stated that problems with propane is almost non-existent today and encouraged Council to look at this possibility, Conversion to propane is approximately $1600. Ted Myrus, Senior Repair Supervisor for City of San Diego, reported to Council San Diego's experience with alternative fuel vehicles. MOTION: Moved by Nader, second by Moore to adopt staff recommendation; direct staff to work with local private businesses, with EDG, academic institutions, and Calstart, specifically the model city program and eleetrleal vehicle parts component manufacturing program; authorize staff to obtain funding through Calstart for any other Calstart programs; and direct staff to prepare a matrix involving all of the fuels presented including propane and methanoi on the various upside and downside on emissions, costs, maintenance, field availability, etc. as mentioned above. Approved 3-0-2 (Rindone and Horton absent). 3. CHULA VISTA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION PP~SF. NTATION REGARDING NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGBRRMENT - Briefing on f'mdings of studies regarding potential impact of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on the local area, (Director of Community Development). Item was continued -- no date set, ORAL COMMUNICATIONS There were none. OTHER BUSINESS 4. Cl-iY MANAGER'S REPORT(S} a. Scheduling of meetings. There were no reports. Minutes April 22, 1993 Page 4 5. MAYOR'S REPORT(S) Mayor Nader stated that Ms. Hotton would be unable to attend tomorrow's meeting. Councfi consensus for Mayor Nader to contact Councilman Rindone to see if he could attend. Mayor Nader also thanked Althena Bradley, Environmental Conservation Coordinator, on the Earth Day program. 6. COUNCIL COMMF. NTS ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m. to the Kegular City Council Meeting on April 27, 1993 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Respectfully submitted, ~uthelet, CMC City Clerk