SUBJECT: Consent Agenda
Title
A Resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Erie Declaring Erie a “GoEV City” and Pledging to Implement Strategies to Reduce Transportation-Related Emissions
Body
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
PRESENTER: Tyler Kesler, Sustainability Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the Resolution to declare the Town of Erie a “GoEV City” and pledge to implement strategies to reduce transportation-related emissions.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
In November 2019, the Board of Trustees approved the Sustainability Master Plan (SMP), a coordinated roadmap and approach that includes goals to increase sustainability in energy use, transportation, waste, recycling, and composting, and increase education and outreach for all sectors. This Plan reflected other community master plans (such as the Town’s Transportation Master Plan and Water Conservation Plan) and has served as a guiding document, framework, and decision-making tool for subsequent planning and programming efforts (Energy Action Plan and Drought & Water Supply Shortage Plan).
A complementary goal of the SMP focuses on opportunities that directly enhance the Town’s overall sustainability by leveraging resources and supplementing those resources where necessary to ensure equitable access to sustainability measures for all of the community. This includes those resources available at the county and state levels. In support of multiple SMP Strategies (T7, T8, T9, T10, EO2, EO3, EO4, EO6, EO7, EO8, EO9, EO10, EO11, EO12), the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) recommended the Town adopt an Erie-appropriate GoEV Resolution. Staff and the GoEV Program Coordinator presented a draft to the SAB at its meeting on December 1, 2021. SAB Members supported the resolution and the Town’s commitment to equitable electrification of the transportation system.
The attached Resolution incorporates all of the local policies, strategies, and programs designed to advance the transition to EVs and support the Board of Trustee’s 2022 Work Plan to “Increase EV Charging Infrastructure”. The holistic approach to transportation electrification will include specific policy recommendations for public transit, Erie’s municipal fleet, taxis, ride-share services, and personal car ownership.
Many of the same tools have been implemented in cities, counties, states, and utilities in Colorado and across the country including Avon, Fort Collins, Boulder County, City & County of Denver, City of Boulder, Summit County, City of Golden, and the City of Longmont. The intent of the Declaration is not to suggest that every city or county making the GoEV commitment must implement the same policies; rather, the designation of a GoEV City provides a set of options that all communities can consider when developing community-specific action plans. Every community in Colorado is unique, including and especially Erie, and the subsequent support needed will support the needs of Erie in unison with all other Town Plans with support from regional and state partners.
The Erie GoEV Resolution details Erie’s leadership in climate action and commitment to developing policies and strategies to meet local, regional, and statewide transportation electrification goals in the areas of fleets, public transportation, ride-sharing, and private vehicles. The Resolution also highlights the commitment to using the equity priorities identified in the SMP to improve transportation equity and extend the benefits of transportation electrification to lower income households and multi-family units, historically underserved communities, and communities disproportionately affected by the harmful effects of air pollution.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact of individual policies and strategies that support transportation electrification have not yet been evaluated, but will likely require additional financial resources to support Fleet transition, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and programmatic components to encourage greater public adoption of electric vehicles. Fleet operations and maintenance costs may be reduced as the Town acquires replacement vehicles and staff is adequately trained on vehicle maintenance.
Board Priority(s) Addressed:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Well-Maintained Transportation Infrastructure
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution 22-16