REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Eric McCoy, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY: Kevin Justen, Senior Management Analyst
Subject:
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Authorize designated City staff to execute the agreement between Rivian, LLC, and the City of Huntington Beach for a loaned vehicle for Fire Department usage
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Statement of Issue:
City Council is requested to designate and authorize the City Manager and/or Fire Chief to execute the agreement between Rivian, LLC, for a loaned vehicle for Fire Department usage, including emergency response, public education, community risk reduction, and other Fire Department functions.
Financial Impact:
There is no fiscal impact because the vehicle is provided to the City at no charge.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Authorize the designation of the City Manager and/or Fire Chief to execute the agreement between Rivian, LLC, for a loaned vehicle for Fire Department usage.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Huntington Beach Fire Department has been offered a donated Rivian electric vehicle to support department operations, community outreach, and emergency response activities. Acceptance of this donation provides the City with an opportunity to utilize an innovative, zero-emission vehicle at no acquisition cost while supporting the City's sustainability goals and reducing operational expenses associated with fuel and maintenance.
The Rivian vehicle will be used primarily for non-emergency and support functions, including public education events, community risk reduction programs, fire prevention outreach, recruitment efforts, inspections, training support, and administrative response activities. Additionally, the vehicle may be utilized by staff for emergency response, incident management, damage assessments, and coordination during disasters, planned events, and other incidents where a smaller, highly maneuverable vehicle is operationally advantageous.
In addition to supporting Fire Department operations, the donation provides a unique partnership opportunity with Rivian. As they continue to explore and develop applications for electric vehicles within the public safety sector, the company intends to use this donation as an opportunity to evaluate and better understand how the vehicle performs in real-world fire service operations.
The vehicle will allow both Rivian and the Huntington Beach Fire Department to assess potential public safety use cases, operational benefits, and future applications of electric vehicle technology within emergency services. Acceptance of the donation will enhance service delivery, expand community engagement capabilities, and provide valuable operational feedback to support future public safety vehicle development without requiring the expenditure of City funds for vehicle acquisition.
This vehicle is being provided at no cost to the City. As a new automobile it will require minimum maintenance, which will be provided by Rivian.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Rivian, LLC Contract Summary
2. Rivian Loaned Vehicle Bailment Agreement
3. Marketing Collaboration Agreement
4. PowerPoint Presentation