TAMRMS#: B06
12.2
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Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Notice given by: Councillor Killick
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
The purpose of this report is to present a motion for which Councillor Killick gave notice on July 4, 2022.
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PROPOSED MOTION:
recommendation
That Council directs Administration to install two (2) Electric Vehicle charging stations at the St. Albert Place parking lot in substitution for the charging stations approved for the Naki Transit Station as part of the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre Electric Vehicle Charging Program, and that $150,000 be funded from the Capital Reserve to complete the work.
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ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #4: Infrastructure Investment: Identify and build needed capital assets.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for investment in long-term revenue generating infrastructure.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
G.7.3 Grant Administration, Management and Compliance
• Management of Corporate Grants to ensure maximization of grant opportunities, oversight on the tracking, application, reporting and management of grants.
G.9.1 Capital Project Management
Planning, budgeting, and managing capital projects from the initial concept phase, through design, construction, and project closeout.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The City of St. Albert was successful in applying for funding through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre (MCCAC) Electric Vehicle Charging Program (EVCP). The EVCP provides funding to municipalities for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to support and accelerate the adoption of EVs in Alberta.
On June 21, 2022, the City signed a funding agreement for the EVCP, effective for one year, with the MCCAC. The agreement provides funding for 10 dual port level II EV charging stations. The funding will be disbursed as a rebate of $10,000 per charging port ($20,000 per station), up to a maximum total cost of $200,000, per municipality. The funding agreement is for EV charging station installations at three City owned locations;
• Four EV charging stations at Servus Credit Union Place (400 Campbell Road)
• Two at Jarome Iginla & Kinex Arenas (66 Hebert Road)
• Four EV charging stations at Naki Transit Centre (15520 Campbell Road)
Prior to the submission of the MCCAC EVCP funding application, other high priority locations were considered for the installation of EV charging stations - this included St. Albert Place (SAP) and Fountain Park Recreation Centre (FPRC). These locations were not considered due to project timing and cost restraints.
RMR projects are scheduled at both SAP and FPRC facilities in which upgrades to the electrical infrastructure is planned. Once the electrical infrastructure is upgraded, the City can more easily and affordably move forward with EV charging stations at these locations.
Since the proposed Council Motion was presented, SAP RMR project budget reallocation and updated timelines will allow for the completion of the electrical upgrades this fall. As such, the capital design and construction costs to upgrade the electrical infrastructure and install the EV charging stations is budgeted in this project, however, the procurement of the EV charging stations is not.
Administration understands that if Councillor Killick’s motion does not pass and no subsequent motion is made, the default result is that EV Charging stations would proceed at the originally identified locations.
Administration does not recommend proceeding with the proposed motion and instead recommends Council allocate $30,000 for the procurement of three future EV charging stations at St. Albert Place and progress with the locations (Servus, Iginla/Kinex Arenas, and Naki) approved in the MCCAC EVCP funding application, for the following reasons:
• This project requires the design, construction, and purchase of the EV charging stations to be contracted through the City’s competitive procurement process. This Council Motion has delayed that process and any further changes to the MCCAC funding agreement and project details (e.g. location) will jeopardize the City’s allocated grant funding for this project.
• Changing the number of EV charging stations from four (Naki) to two (SAP), as indicated in the Council Motion, would reduce the City’s grant funding by $40,000, resulting in $160,000 grant versus the maximum grant of $200,000.
• The installation of the EV charging stations is seasonal (i.e. cannot install once the ground freezes or cannot be installed until the ground thaws). This creates a reduced window of opportunity to install the stations before the June 2023 grant installation and documentation deadline.
• Due to current supply chain issues with concrete and metal, it is possible for procurement delays in construction material and the ten EV charging stations.
• Due to the multitude of grant funding available to municipalities and businesses for EV charging stations, there is a high demand for the EV charging station infrastructure. This could also cause delays in procurement, and delays in permitting, reducing the allowable installation period.
This will be the first project in the establishment of St. Albert’s EV infrastructure network. The installation of EV charging stations is a long-term investment for the City of St. Albert and Administration will continue to seek opportunities to expand the network through building retrofits, grants, and other capital projects.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
City staff from Fleet Services, Facilities, Economic Development and Planning were consulted on the location and number of EV charging stations included in the City’s MCCAC grant application to the MCCAC EVCP.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Changes to the EV charging station project scope (i.e. locations) may jeopardize the City’s ability to utilize the MCCAC EVCP grant funding prior to the June 2023 deadline. Changing the number of EV charging stations as outlined in this Council motion, will reduce the City’s grant funding by $40,000. Design, construction, and upgrades to the electrical infrastructure at SAP are budgeted in the RMR work.
Legal / Risk:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
Once an adequate network of EV charging stations are established in St. Albert, it is expected that uptake of electric vehicles will increase. This transition will take time so any changes to the project scope may postpone the installation of the EV charging stations and in turn delay the uptake of EV in St. Albert.
Organizational:
Changes to project scope reduces Administration’s ability to complete the installation of the EV charging stations within one-year MCCAC EVCP grant deadline creating excess workload.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the proposed motion, the following alternatives could be considered:
Alternative 1 (Administration’s recommendation noted above). Progress with the locations (Servus Place, Naki, and Gerome Iginla and Kinex Arenas) approved in the City’s MCCAC Electric Vehicle Charging Program application and signed funding agreement and allocate $30,000 from the capital reserve for the procurement of EV charging stations to be installed at SAP through the RMR work and contract.
Alternative 2. Direct Administration to develop a capital charter in 2023 for the procurement of EV charging stations at SAP in 2024 and any grant funding available for subsequent charging stations be pursued/applied for.
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Report Date: August 15, 2022
Author: Meghan Myers
Department: Human Resources, Safety and Environment
Director: Ryan Stovall
Assistant Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Diane McMordie
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher