Title
Authorizing the Public Works Department to apply, with the City of Minneapolis, for the State Competitiveness Fund from the Minnesota Department of Commerce as required match for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program.
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WHEREAS, Public Works would like to apply to the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which seeks to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure located on public roads or in other publicly accessible locations; and
WHEREAS, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure program is authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; and
WHEREAS, the State Competitiveness Fund is a legislatively created program intended to increase the competitiveness of Minnesota in securing federal funding from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA, aka the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA); and
WHEREAS, the funds would be used to expand the EV Spot Network by adding up to 10 additional sites, with a total of 20 chargers, to the City’s public and Evie carshare charging network; and
WHEREAS, if awarded, the funds would be used to design and install charging sites in key focus areas, expanding and bolstering the existing EV Spot Network footprint, intended to grow and future-proof the City’s public infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure grant requires 20% in matching funds, and Public Works intends to apply for the total match amount up to roughly $450,000; and
WHEREAS, the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council authorize Public Works to apply for the State Competitiveness Fund, and enter into an agreement should the application be successful.