To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Storm Damage Repairs to Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached plans and specifications for the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project; and
2. Find that the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15269(a) and 15302 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations; and
3. Direct the Clerk of the Board to advertise the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project as required by Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
On Feb. 21, 2019, the Governor of the State of California declared a disaster for Humboldt County due to severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides. Kneeland Road (F6F060) PM 37.09 in the Freshwater area of Humboldt County, experienced embankment and shoulder failure in the outboard lane caused by stormwater oversaturating the soil and eroding the slope. An asphalt berm and signs were placed near the damaged area at the time of the disaster to minimize further damage and maintain essential traffic flows.
On April 12, 2022, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) received Federal Highway Administration funding approval to construct the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project. GHD, Inc. and Morrison Structures subsequently prepared the attached plans and specifications for the project based on topographic surveys of the damaged areas prepared by GHD, Inc. and geotechnical studies prepared by Crawford and Associates. The work proposed in the attached plans and specifications consists of constructing a soldier pile wall, installing sub-drainage and surface drainage systems, installing guardrails, restoring the roadway to the original width and adding sediment and erosion control items.
The Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project involves the replacement and reconstruction of existing road infrastructure in the same location as it existed prior to suffering damage within the scope of the disaster declaration made by the Governor of California on February 21, 2019. Such work is considered exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15269(a) and 15302 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.
Accordingly, Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the attached plans and specifications for the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project, find the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project is exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15269(a) and 15302 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations; and direct the Clerk of the Board to advertise the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project as required by Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County Road Fund (1200-321); Federal Highway Administration; California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1200-321) |
FY24-25 |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$50,000.00 |
$786,295.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$50,000.00 |
$786,295.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1200-321) |
FY24-25 |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
General Fund |
$1,410.00 |
$22,174.00 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$48,590.00 |
$764,121.00 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$50,000.00 |
$786,29.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
There is no financial commitment until the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project is awarded. This project is being funded by Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Funds (88.53%), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services funding (8.65%) and the Humboldt County Road Fund (2.82%). The engineer’s cost estimate for the project is Eight Hundred Thirty-Six Thousand Two Hundred Ninety-Five Dollars ($836,295). The Humboldt County Road Fund will be responsible for Twenty-Three Thousand Five Hundred Eighty-Three Dollars and Fifty-Two Cents ($23,583.52) of the costs associated with the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project. Expenditure appropriations related to completion of the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project are included in the approved fiscal year 2024-2025 budget for budget unit 1200-321.
The fiscal year 2023-2024 Annual Road Report, completed by the State of California, reflected an estimated negative fund balance of Seven Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,800,000) in the Humboldt County Road Fund. Even after allocating nearly Six Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($6,800,000.00) of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the Road Fund in order to reduce the negative fund balance, the current estimated fund balance remains negative by approximately Thirteen Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars ($13,900,000).
This negative balance is partially due to the timing of Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements, which can take years for the County of Humboldt to receive. The current total of outstanding repayments is approximately Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000). Public Works utilizes other state and local funding, such as Regional Surface Transportation Program funds, for the Humboldt County Road Fund match for reimbursable projects. Despite the use of 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:
The recommended actions will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Federal Highway Administration; California Department of Transportation; California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the attached plans and specifications for the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project. However, this alternative is not recommended 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. Plans for Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09
2. Special Provisions for Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None