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Council approves RFQ for Veterans Memorial Park EV chargers with edits for ADA and optional backup power
Summary
Council approved a design-build-own-operate request for proposals to install four Level 2 electric-vehicle charging stalls at Veterans Memorial Park, with direction to clarify ADA stall requirements and include an option to propose backup power; the city will not fund installation under the proposed agreement.
The Santa Paula City Council on Feb. 5 approved a request for proposals to install electric vehicle chargers at Veterans Memorial Park, directing staff to clarify Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stall requirements and to allow proposers to offer optional backup power solutions.
Councilmember Crosswhite led the discussion after the item was pulled from the consent calendar for clarification. Public works staff said the plan calls for four vehicle charging stalls served by two charging stations (two plugs per station) sited along the south edge of the parking lot adjacent to the skate park; the site was chosen in part because its slope meets ADA design limits.
Staff clarified that only one of the four EV stalls must meet full ADA stall requirements; the remainder of the parking row will remain in general use. The item approved by council remains a design-build-own-operate model on city property, where a vendor would design, install, own and operate the chargers without up-front city funding.
Council directed staff to add language to the RFQ/RFP to allow proposers to include optional backup power or battery storage as a proposal feature, but did not require backup systems as a mandatory condition. Public works staff noted backup power could help residents recharge vehicles during Public Safety Power Shutoffs but said feasibility and costs will be addressed by proposers.
Why it matters: The city's approach aims to add publicly accessible charging while avoiding immediate capital outlay by the city. Level 2 chargers were described by staff as a practical compromise between slow Level 1 units and higher-cost Level 3 fast chargers, which require substantially greater electrical infrastructure and longer contract terms for private operators to recoup costs.
Council action: Councilmember Crosswhite moved approval of the item with the discussed edits; the motion carried. Staff will include clarifications about ADA stall layout and an option for backup power in the RFQ/RFP documents and proceed with procurement.
Details extracted from the hearing: - Planned equipment: Four Level 2 charging stalls (two dual-head stations) sited along the south side of the Veterans Memorial Park lot adjacent to the skate park. - ADA: One of the four stalls must be ADA-compliant; staff will clarify specific accessible dimensions and slope requirements in the procurement documents. - Funding/ownership: Design-build-own-operate by proposer; the city will not provide upfront funding under this model. - Backup power: Council asked for an option to be included in proposals; not a required element.
Implementation and next steps: Staff will revise the RFQ/RFP language per council direction and release it for proposals; bids will be evaluated under standard procurement rules and returned to council as needed for agreements or easement approvals.
