FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) – During its May 21 meeting, the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors discussed potential policy guidelines for the new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the Fair Oaks Village. 

Seven spaces will be specifically designated for electric vehicles and the stations will provide Level 2 charging at 6 to 10 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per hour. Each kWh will cost the district between 12 to 20 cents, so to cover the cost of operation as well as ongoing maintenance of the stations, a customer fee of 30 cents per kWh was proposed.

Title Aho said that cost aligns with those throughout the region for electric vehicle charging.

“It’s not a money maker. It’s going to be, at best, a break-even,” said Aho.

Most customers would not be charging from zero but rather topping off their battery while they shop, dine or attend events in the Fair Oaks Village. Aho estimated that most electric vehicle drivers would use the spaces for two to four hours, with the cost averaging between $6 and $12, depending on charging time and vehicle model. 

The fees would be collected through a charging station app, which would reimburse the district minus a usage fee. The app would also send notifications to the customer to let them know when their vehicle is fully charged. Customers would then have a 15-minute grace period to move their vehicle to a non-electric vehicle space or pay an idling fee, proposed at $2 per hour. Signage at each electric vehicle station would clearly explain the pricing and time limits. 

Aho said the idling fee is intended to “ensure turnover and support equitable access” to the spaces. 

Director Darren Mounts said there will be parking challenges in the Village when the improved facilities open this summer, so he asked how the district would address non- electric vehicles parking in those spaces. 

Aho said, “Yeah, that’s going to be a challenge.”

Staff is working on a parking management plan, which could include authorizing a staff member to issue citations to vehicles parked in restricted spaces. Until a policy is put in place, the district will have to rely on enforcement by Sacramento County. 

Director Raymond James Irwin suggested any vehicles not following posted parking restrictions should be towed and signage at each space should warn drivers of the rules. He also said the idle fee was too low and would not encourage drivers to move out of those spaces. After the 15-minute grace period, Irwin suggested, a rate of 50 cents per minute should be charged to align with the typical cost at other charging stations. 

Aho said that he will bring this item back with an increased idle fee and contract details for board consideration at a future meeting. 

The board then considered three logo options for the new Fair Oaks Performing Arts Center. Designed by GreyDot Media, the logos were intended to be dynamic and versatile, so the colors could be changed to reflect different seasons or specific events. 

Option one was a modern take on an oak leaf that also evoked chat bubbles on a cell phone. Option two featured a circle under a bold “F” symbol taken from the f-hole on a violin. Option three was an oak leaf outline, interspersed with geometric lines. A sub-committee comprised of directors Ralph Carhart and Vice-Chair John O-Farrell recommended option three, and Carhart said he liked the design’s shape and versatility. 

Director Irwin said that option three looked too busy and preferred option one, calling it clean and modern. 

Chair Delinda Tamagni asked staff whether there was time to request minor changes to the logo options and make the final decision at a future meeting. Staff explained that waiting would delay the ability to begin using the logo in website design and marketing materials but they would make it work if that was the board’s decision. 

Irwin motioned to approve option one and it was approved 3-0, with Carhart abstaining and O’Farrell absent. 

Parks and Facilities Manager Sean Ventura presented the board with the feasibility report regarding a potential disc golf course at Bannister Park, which was conducted by a professional disc-golf consultant. Ventura said that the report found the park did not score well for disc golf, due to size, current use and terrain. 

The study cost $1,000 and Ventura said the findings will be helpful as the district moves forward with public outreach and a master plan to decide future uses at Bannister. 

Construction is continuing in the village improvement project, with the installation of new chairs for the amphitheater. Aho said that Bobo Construction is working well on coordinating the road paving, despite various challenges. 

Aho said that staff are still working on a parking management plan, which will come to the board in either June or July. Based on public outreach, Aho said, there was “not a lot of support for paid parking,” which was “unsurprising.” Currently being considered is a contract with Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee (FOVEC) to offer the AT&T lot for paid reserved parking for district events and activities. 

After the Village facilities reopen, now expected at the end of July, the district will have a better sense of the long-term parking issues and how to best address them, according to officials. 

The next Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District meeting is scheduled for June 18.