title
CC - CONSENT ITEM: (1) Authorization to Submit Applications to the Low or No Emission Grant Program and/or the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program for the Culver City Bus Replacement Project, with a total 15% Local Match Commitment in the Amount of $2,550,000; and (2) Approval of a Letter in Support of the Applications to be signed by the Mayor.
body
Meeting Date: June 23, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Jeremy Marks/Transportation Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-6508
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (06/19/2025)
Department Approval: Diana Chang, Chief Transportation Officer (06/04/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) authorize the submission of up to two competitive grant applications to the Low or No Emission Grant Program and/or the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program - i.e., up to one application submitted under each program - requesting $14,450,000 in funding awards for the Culver City Bus Replacement Project, with a total 15% local match commitment in the amount of $2,550,000; and (2) approve a letter in support of the applications, to be signed by the Mayor.
BACKGROUND
Staff is seeking City Council authorization to submit up to two competitive grant applications - i.e., up to one under each of the two named competitive grant programs - to support a key transit-related project that aligns with the City’s sustainability, mobility, and public service goals. The proposed project advances Culver City’s efforts to improve transit infrastructure and reliability, enhance the rider experience for the community and region, and reduce emissions while improving the CityBus fleet’s average fuel efficiency.
Specifically, the Culver City Bus Replacement Project would replace up to 17 renewable compressed-natural-gas (rCNG) buses in the Culver CityBus fleet that have exceeded their useful life.
DISCUSSION
A large proportion of the current Culver CityBus fleet is beyond the 12-year useful life benchmark for the industry. Older transit vehicles are increasingly prone to mechanical issues, leading to breakdowns and unplanned maintenance that can disrupt daily operations. Replacing buses that are beyond their useful life with new rCNG buses will help reduce these service interruptions and ensure a more dependable transit experience for riders.
This project represents a comprehensive investment in Culver City’s transit future. The effort is designed to improve environmental outcomes, strengthen operational resiliency, and meet both immediate and long-term service demands. City Council approval to submit these competitive grant applications will position Culver City to secure critical external funding and advance its strategic transportation and sustainability objectives.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Staff estimates the total cost to complete the project to be $17 million, which is entirely comprised of vehicle procurement costs. The grants, if fully awarded, would provide $14,450,000. Of the total award amount, 15%, or $2,550,000, would be provided by the Transportation Department using local transportation funds in compliance with the grants’ 15% minimum local match requirement, and no General Fund monies would be required.
Staff recommends that the City’s $2,550,000 local match be comprised of $273,993 from Measure R Clean Fuel funds and $2,276,007 from TDA Article 4 (including the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program fund exchange) Staff will return to Council in September to approve a resolution allocating $2,276,007 of the City’s TDA Article 4 funding for this purpose as required by the California Transportation Development Act.
If one or more of the grant applications are successful, staff will return to Council to appropriate all the necessary funds and amend the budget.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Authorize the submission of up to two competitive grant applications to the Low or No Emission Grant Program and/or the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program - i.e., up to one application submitted under each program - for the Culver City Bus Replacement Project, with a total 15% Local Match Commitment in the Amount of $2,550,000; and
2. Approve a letter in support of the applications for the Low or No Emission Grant Program and/or the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program, to be signed by the Mayor.