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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.04 EV Parking Fee Structure STAFF REPORT CITY COUNCIL DATE:July 19, 2016 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, City Manager SUBJECT: Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations – Revised Fee Structure and Introduction of an EV Parking Ordinance Prepared by: Kathy Southern, Environmental Services Technician EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Council will consider proposed changes to the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station fee structure to cover some of the City’s maintenance and operation costs. In addition, the City Council will consider approving a new EV parking ordinance and amending the City’s Municipal Code. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council, waive the reading, INTRODUCE an Ordinance adding Dublin Municipal Code Section 6.04.295 regarding Electric Vehicle Parking to Resolution the Dublin Traffic Code; and adopt the Amending the City of Dublin Master Fee Schedule by modifying the Electric Vehicle charging station fee. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Changing the proposed fee structure for use of the City’s EV charging stations will increase the revenue generated to partially offset the cost of electricity and annual maintenance. It is anticipated that the proposed fee structure changes will generate approximately $10,000 in revenue per year to offset the operation and maintenance costs of $13,165. DESCRIPTION: In 2012, the City installed three EV charging stations through a combined Federal and State Grant program. These stations have become very popular and their usage by EV vehicle owners has grown, prompting the need to better manage use of the stations. For 2013, the average number of users was less than 300 users a month. In the past two years, the stations have averaged well over 500 users per month. In 2014, the City implemented a $2 per hour fee after two free hours. That fee structure significantly curbed users parking for excessive time at the stations, but some users 13 Page of continue to manipulate the program by plugging out after two hours and plugging back in to avoid paying a fee. In addition, reporting data shows that some vehicles remain parked for more than an hour after the vehicle was done charging; thus limiting the use of the stations by others. Cost Analysis EV charging station costs are gradually increasing. Regular ongoing maintenance of the equipment is critical for providing this service in a quality manner. The cost for electricity has increased since original station installation. Estimated average annualized cost per kWh is 28 cents, based on the 2016 PG&E rate structure and historical data for the period November, 2014 to October, 2015. Total estimated maintenance and operation cost per year for the existing three EV charging stations: Software Maintenance $ 765 Hardware Maintenance $ 2,400 KWh cost (last 2 year’s annual average) $10,000 Total Estimated Annual Cost $13,165 Staff researched other local agencies on their fee structure and usage. Some cities charge a kWh fee, and other charge hourly fees, minimum fees and session fees. For example, the Town of Danville charges 30 cents per kWh and the City of Pleasanton charges $1 per hour with a $1 minimum fee. To address the increasing costs to maintain and operate the EV charging stations and to continue to provide incentive for people to use electric vehicles, Staff recommends that a per-kWh fee of 28 cents would be appropriate. This fee amount will generate approximately $10,000 on a yearly basis, which would offset the cost of the electricity. EV Charging Station Signage To address the concerns of EV charging station users about some people leaving their vehicles parked in EV spaces for longer time periods than needed, and even after the vehicle was unplugged; Staff recommends implementation of four (4) hour limited time parking at the stations. Dublin Police Services would be authorized to remove vehicles if found in violation of this time limit. As per the California Vehicle Code Section 22511 and 22511.1, the City Council is authorized to implement these parking controls through an ordinance or a resolution. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Should the City Council accept the new fee structure and signage recommendation for City of Dublin EV charging stations, Staff will place noticing on the existing stations at least 30 days in advance of the change, along with posting notice on the City website and at the Dublin Library. ATTACHMENTS: 23 Page of 1. Ordinance adding Dublin Municipal Code Section 6.04.295 regarding Electric Vehicle Parking to the Dublin Traffic Code 2. Resolution Amending the City of Dublin Master Fee Schedule by modifying the Electric Vehicle charging station fee 3. EV Parking signage example 33 Page of Attachment 1 ORDINANCE NO. ________16 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN * * * * * * * * * ADDING DUBLIN MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 6.04.295 REGARDING ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING TO THE DUBLIN TRAFFIC CODE The Dublin City Council does ordain as follows: Section 1: Section 6.04.295 is added to Title 6, Chapter 6.04 of the Dublin Municipal Code as follows: 6.04.295 Electric Vehicle Parking A. Authority. This section is enacted pursuant to Sections 22511 and 22511.1 of the California Vehicle Code. B. Purpose. The electric vehicle parking standards established in this chapter are intended to promote sustainable and alternative transportation practices; manage the availability of off-street parking, particularly in areas that will maximize the use of electric vehicles; and thereby improve traffic and parking circulation. C. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless otherwise apparent from the context, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings: “Electric vehicle” means a vehicle that operates, either partially or exclusively, on electrical energy from the electrical grid, or an off grid source, that is stored on board for motive purposes. “Electric vehicle charging station” means equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy to a battery or other energy storage device on an electric vehicle. D. Designation of electric vehicle parking spaces. (a) Designation of parking spaces. The Director of Public Works, or designee, is authorized in accordance with the purposes of this chapter to designate spaces in off-street public parking facilities for the exclusive parking of electric vehicles that are connected to electric vehicle charging stations for the purpose of transfer of electricity to the battery or other energy storage device of an electric vehicle. Z:\ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES\_Energy\EV Charge Stations\Ordinance 6.29 EV Charging Stations.doc (b) Signs or markings. Upon designation of a parking space or spaces for the exclusive use of electric vehicles pursuant to subsection (a), the public works department shall place signs or markings giving adequate notice that the parking space or spaces are restricted and to be used only for such electric vehicles. The signs or markings shall be in compliance with Section 22511 of the California Vehicle Code indicating that vehicles left standing in violation of the restriction may be removed. The parking restriction shall not apply to the designated parking spaces until the sign or markings have been placed. E. Electric vehicle parking restriction. (a) Where a sign designating a parking space for the exclusive use of charging electric vehicles is posted, no person shall park in that space any nonelectric vehicle, electric vehicle that is not connected to the electric vehicle charging station, electric vehicle that is not charging, or electric vehicle that has been charging for more than four hours. (b) The police department is authorized to cite and/or remove or cause the removal of vehicles parked in violation of this section in accordance with Section 22511 of the California Vehicle Code. SECTION 2. CEQA This Ordinance is exempt from CEQA per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Section 15061(b)(3) states that CEQA applies only to those projects that have the potential to cause a significant effect on the environment. The adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from CEQA because the Ordinance does not, in itself, allow the construction of any building or structure, but it sets forth the regulations for parking electric vehicles within the City. This Ordinance itself, therefore, has no potential for resulting in significant physical change in the environment, directly or ultimately. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall take effect and will be enforced thirty (30) days after its adoption. SECTION 4. POSTING The City Clerk of the City of Dublin shall cause this Ordinance to be posted in at least three (3) public places in the City of Dublin in accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California. Z:\ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES\_Energy\EV Charge Stations\Ordinance 6.29 EV Charging Stations.doc th PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19 day of July, 2016, by the following vote: AYES : NOES : ABSENT : ABSTAIN : _______________________________ Mayor ATTEST : ___________________________________ City Clerk Z:\ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES\_Energy\EV Charge Stations\Ordinance 6.29 EV Charging Stations.doc RESOLUTION NO. ----------- 16 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN * * * * * * * * * * * AMENDING THE CITY OF DUBLIN MASTER FEE SCHEDULE BY MODIFYING THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION FEE WHEREAS, on September 18, 2012, the City Council adopted a Master Fee Schedule for services provided by the City to consolidate fees and charges into a comprehensive document; and WHEREAS, on April 15, 2014, the City Council added an Electric Vehicle Charging fee as line number 130 to Section 1.0 (General and Administrative) of the Master Fee Schedule; and WHEREAS , the establishment of an Electric Vehicle Charging Fee within the City of Dublin Master Fee Schedule has further enhanced the use and turnover of Electric Vehicles; and WHEREAS, changing the Electric Vehicle Charging Fee to a per kilowatt hour (kWh) fee will more equitably cover the electricity costs incurred by the City for the use of the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin hereby amends the City of Dublin Master Fee Schedule Section 1.0 (General & Administrative) to change line number 130 for the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Fee to read as follows: 28 cents per kWh while Per kilowatt Hour fee (kWh) Electric Vehicle Charging plugged in to 130 to help recover the cost of -- -- Station Fee City-owned EV electricity to the City. charging stations. . PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED . this 19th day of July, 2016, by the following vote: AYES : NOES : ABSENT : ABSTAIN: ______________________________ Mayor ATTEST : _________________________________ City Clerk ATTACHMENT 2 1 Attachment 3