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Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with City of New Orleans for Installation and Maintenance of Battery Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure at East New Orleans Regional Library
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DESCRIPTION: Request Board authorization for the Chief Executive Officer to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) between New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and City of New Orleans (CNO) to allow the RTA to construct and maintain a battery electric bus charger and related infrastructure at the East New Orleans Regional Library |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the City of New Orleans to allow the RTA to construct and maintain a battery electric bus charger and related infrastructure at the East New Orleans Regional Library.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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In November 2024, the RTA Board adopted Resolution No. 24-055 which authorized the RTA to enter into a contract with New Flyer for the purchase of three battery electric buses and related charging infrastructure. This program, referred to as the RTA’s battery electric bus pilot program, was funded largely by an FTA FY2021 Low/No Emissions grant. Since then, New Flyer has delivered the three buses; RTA is currently commissioning the buses and training bus operators on the new buses; temporary bus charging infrastructure is in use at RTA’s Randolph facility at 2817 Canal Street; and permanent “depot” charging infrastructure is nearing completion at 2817 Canal as well.
The final component of this project is the installation of a single “on-route” bus charger and related infrastructure at the East New Orleans Regional Library, located at the intersection of Read Boulevard and Lake Forest Boulevard. The on-route charger, electrical equipment, and bus pull out lane will allow the RTA to efficiently run battery electric bus service serving the residents and neighborhoods of New Orleans East. RTA had previously determined that the bus routes serving New Orleans East would be ideal routes for deploying its three new battery electric buses. The on-route charger will allow the buses to maintain a continuous charge throughout the day, ensuring reliable service for riders.
Because the charging infrastructure is located on City property (both right of way and the City-owned parcel that the library is situated on), a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement is needed to formalize the relationship between the RTA and City regarding the placement of the infrastructure on City property and ongoing maintenance responsibilities, among other subjects.
The draft CEA is included here as an attachment. RTA and the City are advancing the draft CEA through both parties’ legal review process. The final version of the CEA will look largely similar to the draft version included here. The resolution adopted by the Board would give RTA’s CEO the authority to execute a final version of the CEA with the prior review and approval of RTA’s Legal department.
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DISCUSSION:
The principal components of the CEA are as follows:
• Describing the scope of RTA’s proposed improvements as well as the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the respective parties.
• RTA’s obligations to fully pay for installation of the improvements.
• Authorizing the RTA to use the City property for the purpose of battery electric charging infrastructure; RTA will not owe the City any payment for use of the property.
• Provisions for terminating the agreement, whether by RTA or the City.
• Standard indemnification and insurance provisions.
• Other standard CEA provisions such as jurisdiction, choice of law, and non-assignment clauses.
Through the generous cooperation of the City, the CEA enables the RTA to use City property with no payment to the City for installation and use of essential battery electric charging infrastructure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is minimal financial impact to the RTA, as the CEA allows RTA to utilize City property at the designated location with no payment due to the City. If at the end of the use period (defined as the greater of 25 years or the Federal Transit Administration’s interest in the project) the City decided not to extend RTA’s use of the site, RTA would be responsible for returning the site to its previous condition.
NEXT STEPS:
The final construction drawings for the on-route charger were recently completed, and bids are currently being sought for construction of this project. Upon Board approval of this resolution, staff will finalize the CEA with the City; both parties will execute the document; and the selected general contractor will secure permits and commence construction.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Draft CEA with the City of New Orleans
Prepared By: Rafe Rabalais, rrabalais@rtaforward.org
Title: Director of Capital Projects
Reviewed By: Dwight Norton, dnorton@rtaforward.org
Title: Chief Planning and Capital Projects Officer
Reviewed By: Gizell Johnson-Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
4/20/2026
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer