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Plattsburgh staff present revised fleet-efficiency policy tied to state climate grant
Summary
City staff reviewed a revised fleet efficiency (green fleet) policy that is required under a multi-year state grant; staff said the policy is a nonbinding purchasing guide, noted existing EV purchases and rebates, and flagged exceptions for heavy-duty vehicles.
City staff reviewed a revised fleet-efficiency policy on March 20 that staff said is required to complete a five-year climate-action planning grant the city accepted in 2020 and to meet the Climate Smart Communities commitments the city adopted.
Alicia, Staff member, said the fleet-efficiency policy is one of the final items the city must deliver under that grant. "The fleet efficiency policy is an element to the completion of that grant contract," Alicia said, adding that she has submitted an extension for the grant deadline. She told the council the policy updates an earlier 2022 green-fleet and procurement policy and is intended as a decision matrix to guide vehicle purchases rather than a strict mandate.
The policy links to earlier work by the city’s climate task force and a municipal greenhouse-gas inventory. Alicia said the city already has received rebates that will cover purchases of electric vehicles. "The city has 45,000 in rebates...for the purchase of 6 EVs already that we have in our fleets now," she said. She also reported additional rebates and orders the city is processing but did not specify some amounts. Alicia said some departments have EVs on order and that the Municipal Light Department also has orders pending.
Council members pressed for clarity on whether the policy requires meeting numerical targets. Alicia replied the policy is a commitment to do the best possible and a purchasing guide: "It is a commitment to ourselves...but that commitment is do the best you can. And it's basically an outline decision matrix for purchasing," she said. She also said the draft includes an exception allowing noncompliance where technology for heavy-duty vehicles has not matured; she said that was requested by the mayor because certain heavy-duty purchases cannot yet be electrified.
Alicia said implementation will depend on department needs, vehicle availability and budget constraints. She noted state opportunities for rebates and grants have helped the city acquire and order vehicles.
Council members asked for more lead time and for a presentation format that allows questions. "I would prefer a presentation by this company rather than just a paper report...I really would benefit from seeing a presentation from them and have the opportunity to ask questions," said a council member discussing a related consultant report on other matters. Alicia said she would continue to work with department heads and bring the draft back for adoption once state approval and internal review are complete.
The revised draft policy and the draft resolution accompanying it were shared with the council during the work session and will return to a future meeting for formal consideration.
