Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Central Maintenance Garage

TO:	Dave Corliss City Manager
FROM:	Steve Stewart Fleet Manager
CC:	Dave Wagner, Utility Department Director; Charles Soules Director of Public Works
Date:	5/7/2009
RE:	Grant Opportunities: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the 05/12/2009 meeting:

Background Information:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) purposes are to stimulate the economy and to create and retain jobs. Grant applications are currently being accepted in area of interest four – competitive grants for cost-shared projects that expand the use of alternative fueled vehicles and advanced technology vehicles.

Current Status:

The Utility Department is proposing to submit a grant for partial funding of a low speed neighborhood electric vehicle to be used in and around the Waste Water facility.  Under area of interest four of the ARRA grant application can be made for low speed electric vehicles to replace an on road gasoline vehicle, with a cap of $2,000.00 per vehicle. The total cost of this vehicle is around $14,000. Under the current vehicle realignment strategy plans are to reduce the Utility fleet by two vehicles. Application will be made through Kansas City Region Clean Cities (KCRCC) acting as the grant coordinator for Region Seven EPA.  

Funding:

Funding for this vehicle was approved in the capital equipment line of the 2009 Utility Department budget. Any grant funds obtained will reduce budgeted funds needed for the purchase. 

Action Request:

We are requesting authorization to pursue this grant. Applications need to be received by KCRCC no later than May 15, 2009