Subject
title
Authorize the City Manager to Execute Amendment Number 1 Between the City of Rockville and the State of Maryland, Maryland Energy Administration to Provide a No Cost Extension of Contract No. 2024-16-520S1 to September 30, 2026
end
Department
PW - Environmental Management
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Mayor and Council authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment Number 1 (Attachment 1) between the City of Rockville and the Maryland Energy Administration to provide a no cost extension of Contract No. 2024-16-520S1 to September 30, 2026.
Discussion
On November 18, 2024, the Mayor and Council ratified and approved the City Manager’s earlier execution of the grant agreement Contract No. 2024-16-520S1 with the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) to accept grant funding in the amount of $48,000 for the installation of EV charging infrastructure. The grant was awarded from the State of Maryland’s FY 2024 Maryland Smart Energy Communities (MSEC)/Clean Energy for Local Governments Program, a program designed to support local governments’ energy projects as they strive to meet energy efficiency goals. The original grant agreement was executed on October 23, 2024, to meet MEA deadlines to secure funding (Attachment 2).
The $48,000 grant was originally proposed to install up to eight electric vehicle charging ports at the Recreation Services Building at the Rockville Civic Center Complex and the Rothgeb Maintenance Facility. The grant was added to the Electric Vehicle Instructure CIP (GA23). The original grant agreement specified that all activities must be completed no later than November 17, 2025 and the documentation must be submitted no later than December 15, 2025,
To provide additional time for EV station design and construction, City of Rockville staff requested a no-cost deadline extension via Amendment Number 1 (Attachment 1). This amendment extends the deadline for all activities to be completed no later than August 30, 2026 and all documentation submitted to MEA by September 30, 2026. The Recreation and Services Building was delayed due to permit approvals and long lead times for equipment delivery. Construction is planned to be initiated within the next couple of months pending shipment of electrical switchgear. The chargers at this location will support fleet charging for the Public Works Construction Management team.
Although the second site is not specified in the amendment, staff requested a project amendment to substitute charging station installation at 6 Taft Court for the Rothgeb Maintenance Facility. The city recently remodeled and occupied 6 Taft Court and it is now a higher priority for charging infrastructure. The facility is now the primary office for various groups within the Departments of Public Works and Recreation & Parks. Multiple employees of both departments have assigned fleet EV’s that require charging at 6 Taft Court. The scope in terms of charging station quantity (4 ports total) would be equivalent to the plans previously in place for Rothgeb. The charger installation at 6 Taft Court can be completed with less delay in comparison to the Rothgeb location and are proposed to serve fleet, employee and public charging. The City was recently awarded a grant to purchase two electric senior transit buses that will require charging to the Rothgeb Maintenance Facility. The site substitution will provide additional time for the ongoing Rothgeb Maintenance Facility master plan initiative and to plan for the electrification of both light-duty and medium-duty vehicles parked at the Rothgeb Maintenance Facility.
Mayor and Council History
The Mayor and Council ratified and approved the City Manager’s earlier execution of the grant agreement November 18, 2024.
Next Steps
Upon approval by the Mayor and Council, the City Manager will execute the attached Amendment Number 1.