Subject
title
Authorization for the City Manager to Execute Site Host Agreement (Lease) with Francis Energy, LLC to Install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on City Property.
end
Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute a Site Host Agreement (Attachment 1) between the Mayor and Council of Rockville, and Francis Energy, LLC, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, to install and maintain four DC Fast Charger electric vehicle charging stations at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center.
Discussion
Rockville was awarded an in-kind value of $949,343 for installation and maintenance of four DC fast electric vehicle charging stations at the Swim and Fitness Center, 355 Martins Lane, through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) grant (Round 2) to the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC). The award announcement is available at: <https://www.mdcleanenergy.org/mecip-awarded-33m/>
MCEC is a corporate instrumentality of the state, created by the General Assembly in 2008, with a statute-directed mission to advance clean energy and energy efficiency products, services, and technologies as part of a specific economic development strategy. MCEC is partnering with Francis Energy, LLC and property owners to install the EV charging stations on site host properties. Francis Energy plans to design, install, operate and maintain four public DC fast charging stations at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center.
The grant funding is conditional upon a signed and executed site host/lease agreement between Francis Energy and Rockville. MCEC requested the City sign and return the site host agreement in December so that funds can be obligated prior to January 2025. To meet this deadline, the Mayor and Council must authorize the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with Francis Energy, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney (Attachment 1).
Key provisions of this agreement include:
• Term of Lease: There is a ten (10) year term for the agreement, with the option to extend for up to two additional five (5) year terms, based on mutual consent.
• Exclusivity: For the duration of the term, Francis has the exclusive right to install and operate DC Fast charging stations on the premise; this does not exclude the City from installing Level 2 charging stations.
• Utilities: Francis agrees to pay the utility company the cost of installation of any and all such utility services and equipment and will arrange to have the utility service metered separately.
• Revenue: Francis will pay the City $500 per year for the leased premises.
Francis Energy was selected as MCEC’s contracting partner on the DC Fast Charger portion of the Clean Fuels Infrastructure grant. Additionally, as part of a separate state EV charging initiative, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) issued a competitive request for proposals (RFP) for statewide Maryland National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI), contract AZ3405186. In July 2024, Maryland announced conditional awards for 23 projects in 15 counties. Francis Energy was selected as the installer for Montgomery County’s two EV sites and three other private sites in the state. Therefore, Francis Energy has been vetted by the state in a competitive RFP and our coordination through the CFI program will provide consistent fast-charging infrastructure along the corridors in Montgomery County.
This project supports Rockville’s greenhouse gas reduction goals and expands local public electric vehicle charging availability described in Rockville’s Climate Action Plan adopted by the Mayor and Council on January 10, 2022.Mayor and Council History
This is the first time this item has been brought before the Mayor and Council.
Fiscal Impact
This lease agreement brings electric vehicle charging to the Swim and Fitness Center at no monetary cost to the City. Minimal staff time is needed to coordinate with Francis Energy and MCEC on the project which is covered in the operating budgets for the Department of Public Works, Recreation and Parks, and other departments as needed. Electric vehicle operators will pay for the electricity use directly through the charging station software. The City will receive $500 per year as rent from Francis Energy. Upon execution by the City Manager, a revenue account will be identified.Next Steps
If approved by the Mayor and Council, the City Manager will execute the agreement with Francis Energy in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.