To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Storm Damage Repair to Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached plans and specifications for the Storm Damage Repair to Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 project;
2. Find that the project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Section 15302 - "Replacement or Reconstruction" and 15269(a) - "Emergency Projects"; and,
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to advertise the above-mentioned project as required by Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Road Fund (1200), Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Storm Damage Funds
DISCUSSION:
On March 7, 2017, the Governor of the State of California declared a disaster for Humboldt County due to severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides. Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83, located near the community of Petrolia of south-western Humboldt County, experienced roadway settlement and shoulder failure. Emergency temporary repairs were done at the time of the disaster to maintain essential traffic flows and prevent further damage to the roadway.
On Nov. 1, 2019, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) received Federal Highway Administration funding approval to proceed with the Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 Storm Damage Repair Project. Public Works subsequently prepared the attached plans and specifications for the project. The work proposed in the attached plans and specifications consists of constructing a geogrid reinforced embankment with subsurface drainage, placing rock slope protection near the outlet of a culvert, restoring the roadway to the original width and adding sediment and erosion control items.
CEQA Analysis:
This project consists of the replacement and reconstruction of existing road infrastructure in the same location as it existed prior to being damaged. The project has substantially the same purpose and capacity as the prior infrastructure. Such work is considered exempt pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Section 15302. This exemption applies to projects that are the replacement or reconstruction of existing structures and facilities where the new structure will be located on the same site as the structure replaced and will have substantially the same purpose and capacity as the structure replaced.
Additionally, the facilities being replaced and reconstructed suffered damage within the scope of the disaster declaration made by the Governor on Jan. 3, 2017. Such emergency work is considered exempt pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 6, Chapter 3, Section 15269(a). This exemption applies to projects that maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, commencing with Section 8550 of the Government Code. This includes projects that will remove, destroy, or significantly alter an historical resource when that resource represents an imminent threat to the public of bodily harm or of damage to adjacent property or when the project has received a determination by the State Office of Historic Preservation pursuant to Section 5028(b) of Public Resources Code.
Accordingly, Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the attached plans and specifications; find that the project is exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15301 and 15302 of the CEQA Guidelines; and, advertise the Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 Storm Damage Repair Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY23-24 * |
|
Engineer’s Estimate of Contract Items |
$430,755.00 |
|
Contingencies (5%) |
$21,540.00 |
|
Construction Engineering (15%) |
$64,610.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$516,905.00 |
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY23-24 * |
|
Federal Funds 88.53% |
$457,616.00 |
|
Road Fund (1200) 11.47% |
$59,289.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$516,905.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Narrative Explanation of Financial Impact:
There is no financial commitment until the Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 Storm Damage Repair Project is awarded. This project is being funded by Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Funds (88.53%) and the Humboldt County Road Fund (11.47%). The engineer’s estimate for contract items for the project is $430,755.00. The Humboldt County Road Fund will be responsible for $59,289.00 of the costs associated with the Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 Storm Damage Repair Project.
Expenditure appropriations related to completion of the Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 Storm Damage Repair Project are included in the approved fiscal year 2023-24 budget for Road-Engineering budget unit 1200-321.
Projects are paid in arrears. The FY 2021-22 Annual Road Report, completed by the State of California, reflected an estimated negative fund balance of $8.8 million in the county’s Road Fund. Even after allocating nearly $6.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Road Fund in order to reduce the negative fund balance, the current estimated fund balance remains negative by approximately $11 million.
This negative balance is partially due to the timing of Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements to the county, which can take years for the county to receive repayment. The current outstanding repayments is approximately $11.5 million. The department utilizes other state and local funding, such as Regional Surface Transportation Program funds, for the Humboldt County Road Fund match for reimbursable projects. Despite those additional funding sources, Road Fund projects are underfunded and will very likely have a negative impact on the General Fund if additional revenue sources are not secured.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
There is no impact to current staffing levels related to the advertisement of the Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83 Storm Damage Project.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
This action supports the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Framework.
Core Roles: Provide for and maintain infrastructure
New Initiatives: N/A
Strategic Plan: N/A
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
California Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
Not approve the project; however, staff does not recommend this alternative since the project will restore the roadway to pre-disaster conditions using funds that would not otherwise be available to the County of Humboldt.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CEQA Notice of Exemption for Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83
2. Plans for Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83
3. Special Provisions for Mattole Road (3C010) Post Mile 17.83
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: N/A
Meeting of: N/A
File No.: N/A