Commission approves $74,520 change order to add fast chargers at Sunset Lakes under DOE grant

The City Commission approved a change order to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the Sunset Lakes Community Center under a 2024 Department of Energy grant.

Rasheed McCallum, the city’s energy and resource manager, told commissioners the city received a DOE grant in May 2024 to install EV charging infrastructure totaling $173,180. A competitive procurement for chargers produced a purchase order to CityVite for $32,280 to install four Level 2 chargers. Staff negotiated an additional scope to add two Level 3 fast chargers; the change order is $74,520, bringing the total project cost to $106,800. McCallum said the award amount remained below the grant total, allowing the project expansion.

Terms presented to the commission state CityVite will own the chargers, set charging rates, and receive 90% of transaction fees; the contract includes a two-year warranty and replacement at no cost if needed during that period. McCallum said the grant required chargers be placed outside areas mapped as the 100-year floodplain, which is why Sunset Lakes was selected; the city has no chargers at the Multi-Service Center but two Level 2 chargers exist at nearby Shirley Branca Park.

Commissioner Avril Sherazard asked whether the grant required placement at Sunset Lakes and whether the multi-service center (MSC) has chargers; McCallum explained the flood-zone restriction and confirmed MSC has none. He said the city has an EV-charging roadmap and plans to prioritize fire stations and community centers for future installations.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the change order. Recorded votes were: Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers — yes; Commissioner Avril Sherazard — yes; Vice Mayor Yvette Colburn — yes; Commissioner Carson "Eddie" Edwards — yes; Mayor Wayne Messam — yes.