Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director of Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Authorizing the Submission of a United States Department of Transportation Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Application to Strategically Deploy Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the Village of Oak Park.
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Overview
Overview
This Resolution authorizes Village Staff to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program. If awarded, funds would be allocated towards the strategic deployment of publicly-accessible electric vehicle charging stations in Village-owned parking lots and within the right-of-way.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
Established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program (CFI Program) allocates $700 million toward charging and fueling infrastructure. The $700 million is divided into two separate grant categories: 1.) up to $350 million for the Community Charging and Fueling Program Grants (Community Program), to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, propane fueling infrastructure, and natural gas fueling infrastructure located on public roads or in other publicly accessible locations; and 2.) up to $350 million for the Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program), to strategically deploy charging and alternative fueling infrastructure located along designated alternative fuel corridors.
The CFI Program will accelerate an electrified and alternative fuel transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, accessible, and safe. Furthermore, the program will also help put the U.S. on a path to a nationwide network of at least 500,000 chargers by 2030 and improve networks for vehicles using hydrogen, propane, and natural gas.
The Parking and Mobility Services Division of the Development Customer Services Department and the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department have engaged the professional engineering services of Baxter & Woodman, Inc. (B&W) for project scoping and technical grant assistance through a task order agreement for a not-to-exceed amount of $5,000.00. B&W is one of the four engineering firms under a Task Order Agreement with the Village. The Village’s application for grant funds would be for the community program, for the procurement and installation of electric vehicle charging stations in Village-owned parking lots and within the right-of-way. The exact scope of work and budget for the project is still being finalized by Village staff with the assistance of B&W.
Grant applications are due no later than May 30, 2023. The Village would intend to utilize non-grant funds for engineering design costs if awarded the CFI grant, completing design and construction documents in FY 2024. Procurement of the stations and associated construction costs would be incurred beginning in FY 2025. Cost sharing or matching is required, with the maximum Federal share being 80 percent of the total cost of the project. The Village would be responsible for at least 20 percent of the total project cost. The minimum award amount for the CFI program is $500,000.
Fiscal Impact
If awarded the Grant, Village staff would present budgetary numbers for the Village Board’s consideration as part of the development of the Capital Improvement Plan during the FY 2024 Budget process. It is important to note that all grant funds are required to be expended by September 30, 2031.
DEI Impact
The Village’s grant application will address how the project will include an equity assessment that evaluates whether a project will create proportional impacts and remove transportation-related disparities to all populations in the project area. Staff will utilize the Village’s map of low-moderate income block groups to prioritize these areas in its application for grant funding. This map uses data from the American Community Survey. Furthermore, an important component of the Village’s equity considerations in its application for grant funding will be prioritizing the location of charging stations in areas where private parking options are limited, primarily adjacent to or near multi-unit, renter-occupied housing.
The Village’s grant application will address how the project will create good-paying jobs with an emphasis on infrastructure jobs as well as permanent service technician jobs that may be created as a result of the project. Furthermore, the application will address how the project will prioritize the utilization of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Minority-owned Businesses, and Women-owned Businesses.
The Village’s grant application will address how the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, incorporating evidence-based climate resilience measures and features. Staff will utilize data from existing electric vehicle charging stations in the community to estimate the reduction.
The Village’s grant application will address how the project will make electric vehicle charging infrastructure accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. Staff and B&W intend to refer to the U.S. Access Board American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Standards website for guidance.
Alternatives
Not adopt the Resolution.
Previous Board Action
N/A
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
N/A
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
If awarded the grant opportunity, Village staff will present budgetary numbers as part of the development of the Capital Improvement Plan during the FY 2024 budget process.
Future actions by the Village Board may include but are not limited to, the consideration of professional services agreements for engineering design services and independent contractor agreements for the procurement and installation of EV charging stations and associated site work and infrastructure.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
As a Federal Grant opportunity, the CFI program addresses the goals of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as Climate Ready Oak Park (CROP). Specifically, the grant program aligns with CROP’s goal to increase access to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and parking, with an emphasis on access for residents who do not own a garage.