Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District Board Meeting - April 26, 2024

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) Board convened on April 26, 2024, at 9:22 AM. The meeting included a special recognition of two hearing board members, approval of the consent calendar, a public hearing on the fiscal year 2024-2025 proposed budget and fee schedule, a discussion item on a new alternate member appointment, a program update on Clean Cars for All, an Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) report, and a closed session with no reportable actions.

Special Presentation: Recognition of Service

• Recognized Dr. Stephen Wires for his service as a medical professional on the hearing board, serving over 40 years. He presided over approximately 350 hearing board proceedings and over 60 emergency variance hearings.
• Recognized Mr. John German (posthumously) for nearly 30 years of service. His wife Lois and daughter Denise accepted the token on his behalf. He had been a guest lecturer at CSUS, served on the Southgate Parks and Recreation district, the Franklin Business Association, was president of the Valley High Rotary Club, and worked at Amador County Public Works.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2 through 6 were approved unanimously without discussion.
• Motion by Director Desmond, second by Director Frost. All present directors voted 'Aye'. Directors Maple and Vang joined during or after the vote.

Item 7: Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Proposed Budget and Fee Schedule

• Patty Kepler, District Controller, presented the proposed budget and fee schedule.
• Key budget items:
  • Total FTE: 105.8 (increase of 4 from the 2324 amended budget).
  • General Fund: Using $3.1 million of fund balance, largely to cover the AB617 expanded grant.
  • Special Revenue Fund: Using $5.5 million of fund balance for incentives.
  • Proposed stationary source fee increase of 4.17%, effective July 1, 2024.
  • General fund structural deficit projected to grow from $3.1 million in FY 24-25 to $3.2 million by FY 28-29.
• Items not included in the budget: CPRG implementation grant ($93 million, competitive, decision expected July-August), building sale/relocation, and proposed increase of Moyer admin fund from 6.25% to 12%.
• Public hearing was opened and closed with no public comments.
• Motion to approve and set a second public hearing for May 25, 2024, passed unanimously.

Item 8: Sacramento Valley Basin Air Pollution Control Council – New Alternate Member Appointment

• Director Papineau was appointed as alternate member.
• Motion by Chair Kennedy, second by Director Guerra. Passed unanimously.

Item 9: Clean Cars for All Program Update

• Presented by Cidy Mann, Program Supervisor.
• Program achievements: As of Q1 2024, nearly 1,100 award letters issued; 901 vehicles purchased; over half of recipients received an additional $2,000 for charging support. These vehicles will reduce 9,573 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and 8.42 tons of criteria pollutants over 30 months.
• 38% of purchases were battery electric vehicles; 90% of survey respondents reported spending less on fuel.
• Program changes: Income eligibility expanded to all Sacramento County residents at 0-300% of federal poverty level (down from 400%); base grant for PHEVs and BEVs increased to $9,500 (from $5,000); residents in disadvantaged communities can receive up to $12,000 for BEVs or fuel cell vehicles; conventional hybrids eligible only until December 31, 2024.
• E-bike option introduced: $7,500 grant for e-bike(s) and accessories from brick-and-mortar dealers.
• Program will pause in May 2024 for transition, with soft launch in June 2024.
• Director Hume expressed preference for e-bikes over scooters, citing replacement of vehicle trips, but acknowledged the program is legislatively limited.
• No public comments on this item.

Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) Report

• APCO Alberto Ayala reported:
  • Expansion of the Sacramento Emergency Clean Air Transportation (CCAT) program to include light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles, with no requirement to scrap a vehicle. Launching May 9, 2024, on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Building relocation progress: Building for sale with a potential buyer; five potential new locations under review, all within walking distance of transit and capable of accommodating EV charging. Relocation expected in 2024.
  • Community engagement: District participated in multiple events around Earth Day.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the consent calendar (Items 2-6).
• Unanimous approval of the FY 2024-2025 proposed budget and fee schedule direction, with a second public hearing set for May 25, 2024.
• Unanimous appointment of Director Papineau as alternate member to the Sacramento Valley Basin Air Pollution Control Council.
• APCO report received and filed.
• Closed session held with no reportable actions.

Note: The speaker in the transcript mentions the meeting date as April 25th, but the actual meeting date per the instruction is April 26, 2024. The repeated broadcast is noted for April 29, 2024.