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Council delays EV charging contract over billing, revenue‑share and vandalism terms
Summary
Benicia councilors praised the environmental and economic promise of third‑party EV chargers but asked staff to return a revised contract clarifying electricity metering, revenue‑share timing, vandalism liabilities and a performance checkpoint. The council voted to continue the item for renegotiation.
Councilors advanced, but did not approve, a proposed agreement with EV Charging Solutions after several members pressed for clearer billing and contract protections.
Council Member Largasbada raised multiple contract concerns, urging language that “makes it clear that either EBCS sets up their own meter or, reimburses, Citi monthly based on usage,” and asking for shorter revenue‑share payment terms. He also sought a shorter review period so the city can terminate underperforming locations instead of being committed for a decade.
EVCS director Jessie, participating online, said the company typically prefers to install a new meter where feasible and will reimburse the city if it must tap into an existing service. Jessie also said some grant funding requires a five‑year presence and noted utility timelines can delay DC fast chargers: “our average waiting time is about, like, 2 years before we can complete the project.”
Council Members also sought firmer language on vandalism cost sharing and a service‑level agreement for maintenance. Several residents urged caution: Miss Grundmann asked whether vendors would restore a site to its original condition and requested estimated vandalism‑repair and security costs be included in the ROI analysis.
Given those open items, Mayor Young made a motion to continue the item so staff can return with a revised contract; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote. The council instructed staff to explore 30‑day payment terms, clearer meter/reimbursement language, a defined short‑term performance checkpoint (two years was suggested) and precise vandalism/security obligations.
