To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
SUBJECT:
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Donation of Funds from the Humboldt Trails Council for Automatic Trail Counters and Supplemental Budget (4/5 Vote Required)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the donation of funds from the Humboldt Trails Council for Public Works to purchase and install two (2) automatic trail counters; and
2. Approve, and authorize the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller to process, the attached supplemental budget request regarding the funds donated by the Humboldt Trails Council (4/5 vote required).
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt Trails Council; Bicycles & Trailways Program (1710)
DISCUSSION:
Traffic counts on bike paths and other trails provide valuable information for understanding usage rates and planning future investments in active transportation and recreation. Counting trail users manually typically requires a substantial volunteer effort and only provides a snapshot view. Cost-effective technology now exists that provide automatic traffic counts with magnetic and infrared sensors. For example, the City of Arcata operates two (2) trail counters which generate counts of bicyclists and pedestrians.
The Humboldt Trails Council has offered to donate funds to the Humboldt County Public Works Department (“Public Works”) to purchase and install two (2) trail counters (Attachment 1). One (1) counter would be located on the Hammond Trail in McKinleyville. Public Works would retain a contractor for the installation on the Hammond Trail. Another counter would be located on the Eureka Waterfront Trail near the connection with the future Humboldt Bay Trail South project. The City of Eureka has offered to install the counter on the Eureka Waterfront Trail. Operation of a counter on the Eureka Waterfront Trail would provide useful data to assess the change in use before and after completion of the Humboldt Bay Trail between Eureka and Arcata.
Accordingly, Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors accept the donation from the Humboldt Trails Council to purchase and install two (2) automatic trail counters.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The total estimated cost to purchase and install the two (2) trail counters is $18,634. This cost includes one (1) year of license fees for the equipment provider’s on-line platform for data management and visualization. Public Works would have the option of continuing to pay for this service if it is found to be valuable by incorporating the yearly fee of $420 per counter into the budget for the Bicycles and Trailways Program (1710715), which is funded by state Transportation Development Act revenues. Acceptance of the donation of funds from the Humboldt County Trails Council will not impact the Humboldt County General Fund.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure and seeking outside funding sources to benefit Humboldt County.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
City of Eureka
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors could choose not to accept the donation from the Humboldt Trails Council. However, this alternative is not recommended because it would be a lost opportunity to collaborate with a community organization offering financial assistance to obtain valuable information on the local trail system.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Letter from Humboldt Trails Council dated September 15, 2021
2. Supplemental Budget Request
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A