Elizabeth, (and Honorable City Council and Mayor,)
   
  While I always appreciate lively dialogs, I won't continue this discussion across the entire MPGRCC yahoo group (see below,) but budget cost benefit analysis is one of the only ways to verify budget over-site.
   
  For example if the city staff (as part of their regular jobs) identifies grants that exceed the time, effort and energy costs used to start and follow through obtaining the grants than it's budget savvy. If the grants total an amount less than the cost of the headcount to pursue the grants, then the money should go straight to the grant subject (ie, transportation, etc.) without the follow through costs and additional headcount.
   
  If the city deems it necessary to hire FTE for this position, grants exceeding the FTE costs should be a pre-requisite of continuing the position past one year. So, perhaps the money shouldn't be spent in hiring more employees, it should be put a contract to see if the headcount is worth the money spent in getting grant money. If not, don't hire, if so, do it on contract/trial basis with renewal based on performance.
   
  Unfortunately, the city hired a business development person who clearly is under-performing (although I'm not sure the city put any requirements on performance when this consultant was hired....) Why can't the city use the allowed money for that BD person in incentive-based programs for binging in new sales tax revenue - like paying the deposits on renting space to open new, sales tax generating business... like providing resources to all stores in peril of going out of business so there is less turn around in the retail space. (a mini version of the Keep Kepler's efforts.) Or how about waving the UUT for all existing and new, sales tax generating green businesses for a year?
  
 
  While I appreciate all the efforts and budget requests that will come of the MPGRCC the city must be fiscally responsible, which requires feasibility and planning. It's just good business practices.
   
  Elizabeth
   
   
  
Elizabeth Lasensky <elasensky@yahoo.com> wrote:
          Hi Elizabeth,

We were asked to provide our priority items, with a summary statement, and the transit/transportation group is doing just that. Adding staff resources for transportation/transit services is absolutely key to moving ahead.

Please see our priority list for the bike rack and school issues.

We want our subgroup's work to provide substance not fluff to the process. Without additional resources, we will end up with politically-expedient, short-sighted projects with not much depth and that won't necessarily greatly reduce our carbon inpact.

Elizabeth L.

Elizabeth Houck <internetmailme@yahoo.com> wrote: Hi Elizabeth

I'm not for adding head count until the city gets it's budget in order - and then only if the position were cost neutral as a requirement. ie brings in more grants than it costs to have another head count.

As an aside, a menlo-atherton hs mom said the reason her son doesn't ride his bike to school is because it gets stolen because there are NOT enough bike racks and security...

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Lasensky <elasensky@yahoo.com> wrote:
      Thanks for this information.

It's our understanding that the city, by that I mean, staff need to complete the grant application. As our main priority, the transit/transportation group is recommending that a position be created in part to seek and secure grants. This would be a perfect example!

Elizabeth L.

Elizabeth Houck <internetmailme@yahoo.com> wrote:
      fyi

Elizabeth Houck <internetmailme@yahoo.com> wrote:
  Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:23:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Elizabeth Houck <internetmailme@yahoo.com>
Subject: clean air grant information
To: kj@fergusson.com, Heyward Robinson <heyward@sri.com>

   
  http://www.baaqmd.gov/pln/grants_and_incentives/vip/index.htm
  The Vehicle Incentive Program
The Vehicle Incentive Program (VIP) is a grant that helps project sponsors acquire low emission, light-duty alternative fuel vehicles. Funding for the VIP program is provided by the Air District's Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA).
  Available Funds
A total of $600,000 is available in FY 2006/07.
  Who Can Apply?
Public agencies located within the Bay Area Air Quality Management Air District's (Air District) jurisdiction can apply for VIP funds. However, state and federal agencies subject to federal Energy Policy Act (EPACT) alternative fuel vehicle procurement requirements are not eligible for VIP funds. Public agencies may apply for VIP funds on behalf of non-public entities, subject to the criteria defined in TFCA Policy # 6, outlined in the VIP Guidance document. The Air District encompasses all of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, and the southern parts of Solano and Sonoma counties.
  Eligible Vehicles
  New vehicles that you want to acquire must meet the following eligibility criteria:
    
   The vehicle must have a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less.
   The vehicle must be powered by a dedicated alternative fuel: natural gas, propane, hydrogen, electricity, or hybrid electric. (Bi-fuel vehicles are not eligible.)
   The vehicle must be certified to the SULEV, PZEV, or ZEV emission standard by the California Air Resources Board.
   The vehicle must be operated in the Bay Area for the duration of its useful life (or lease term), and at least 75% of the miles must be driven within the boundaries of the Air District.
   The purchase or lease order for the vehicle must be issued July 1, 2006 or later.
  

Used vehicles that you want to acquire must meet the following eligibility criteria:
    
   The used vehicle must not have received any previous funding via the Air District's TFCA or VIP program.
   The used vehicle must have been registered outside the boundaries of the Air District for at least the last 180 calendar days.
  Schedule: Applications will be accepted beginning October 2, 2006. (Applications will not be accepted via fax or e-mail.) Incentives will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the available funds are exhausted.

Elizabeth Houck

Elizabeth Houck

Elizabeth Houck

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Received on Fri May 18 13:05:34 2007