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APPROVE A RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CITY OF STOCKTON AND SAN JOAQUIN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR THE SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION EQUITY PROJECT (STEP)
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City of Stockton and the San Joaquin Council of Governments for the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP).
It is also recommended that the resolution authorize the City Manager to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) a $7.4 million Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant. SJCOG’s STEP program, entitled the Stockton Mobility Collective, is a bundle of projects including community engagement, Vamos Mobility-as-a-Service, electric vehicle carsharing, electric pedal assist bike sharing, e-workforce development, and transit and shared mobility incentives. SJCOG is interested in forming a partnership with the City specifically for the electric vehicle (EV) carsharing and electric pedal assist bike sharing programs. This partnership would involve hosting the charging infrastructure and vehicles at City-owned facilities at no cost to the City.
Staff requests that Council approve a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a memorandum of understanding between the City and SJCOG to host infrastructure to support the electric car and bicycle sharing programs.
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) awarded the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) a $7.4 million Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) grant. The STEP program was established to address transportation equity in California’s most disadvantaged communities. STEP is a California Climate Investments (CCI) program - CCI puts billions of dollars of Cap-and-Trade to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment. The STEP grant provides funding for clean transportation projects that increase residents’ mobility and access to employment opportunities, healthcare, groceries, and other essential services while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SJCOG’s STEP program, entitled the Stockton Mobility Collective, is a bundle of projects including community engagement, Vamos Mobility-as-a-Service, electric vehicle carsharing, electric pedal assist bike sharing, e-workforce development, and transit and shared mobility incentives. This is a multi-year initiation and operations effort that will go through March 31, 2025.
The EV carsharing program is being led by SJCOG’s project partner, Míocar. This program will provide affordable access to all-electric vehicles at convenient locations in Stockton. Míocar EV carsharing makes it easy to reserve a car on an hourly or daily basis for errands and other types of trips. Users must be 21 or older and have a good driving record to reserve vehicles via the Míocar app or by phone. Vehicles can be reserved on the day of travel or booked in advance for easy travel planning. Míocar will have 30 vehicles at locations throughout Stockton.
The electric pedal assist bike sharing program will be implemented by the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD). This program will provide users with affordable access to 100 pedal assist e-bikes at 12 locations throughout Stockton. Users must be 18 years or older and will be charged based on time spent on the bike. RTD will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the program, including the frequent redistribution of bikes, bike maintenance, and battery charging.
Present Situation
SJCOG is ready to deploy their grant-funded programs; however, they need to identify suitable locations to host the infrastructure and vehicles. City staff have met with SJCOG to determine ideal locations that can support the required charging infrastructure and are convenient for potential users. In the spirit of the STEP program, these locations were prioritized based on their proximity to disadvantaged communities that would most benefit from the affordable connectivity offered by these programs.
At this time, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has not been finalized between the City and SJCOG as it is an ongoing conversation. The MOU will not obligate the City financially in any way, as these are 100% grant-funded programs supported by the STEP grant. Staff are seeking Council’s permission to execute this agreement so that an MOU can be finalized and executed as soon as possible.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
There are no financial impacts associated with the approval of this resolution - all programs are entirely grant-funded. Should the terms of the MOU be modified to require a financial commitment from the City, staff will return to Council to seek re-approval to execute the MOU.