To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Award Authorization for Storm Damage Repair on Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and file the bid proposals submitted for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project; and
2. Award the project agreement to Mercer-Fraser Company for the total amount of $615,689.75; and
3. Authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the project agreement upon submittal of the appropriate bonds and insurance; and
4. Authorize the Director of Public Works to execute contract change orders up to the amount of $43,285; and
5. Direct the Clerk of the Board to provide the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works with one (1) fully executed certified copy of the Board order related to this item.
Body
STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommended actions support the following areas of your Board’s Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
On Nov. 4, 2025, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (Board) authorized the Clerk of the Board to advertise the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project for bids. On Dec. 16, 2025, the County of Humboldt received five (5) bids for the project, which are attached hereto as Attachment 1.
Accordingly, the Department of Public Works recommends that the Board: receive and file the bid proposals submitted for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project; award the project agreement to Mercer-Fraser Company for the total amount of $615,689.75; authorize the Chair of the Board to execute the project agreement upon submittal of the appropriate bonds and insurance; and authorize the Director of Public Works to execute contract change orders up to the amount of $43,285.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Road Fund (1200), Federal Emergency Management Agency, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1200-321) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$538,727.00 |
$230,883.00 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$538,727.00 |
$230,883.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1200-321) |
FY25-26 |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Federal Funds (FEMA) |
$404,045.25 |
$173,162.25 |
|
State Funds (Cal-OES) |
$101,011.31 |
$ 43,290.56 |
|
Road Fund (1200-321) |
$ 33,670.44 |
$ 14,430.19 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$538,727.00 |
$230,883.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
The Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project is funded by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Recovery Funds (75%), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (18.75%), and the Humboldt County Road Fund (6.25%). The total project cost is estimated at $769,610, as shown in Attachment 1. Expenditure appropriations relating to completion of the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project are included in the approved fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget for budget unit 1200-321.
Projects are paid in arrears with anticipated funding coming from the FEMA as mentioned above. The Auditor-Controller estimates FY 2024-25 negative fund balance to be $11,880,964 in the Humboldt County Road Fund. Even after allocating nearly $6,800,000 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 $17,127,340 including Measure O expenditures.
This negative balance is partially due to the timing of FEMA reimbursements, which can take years for the County of Humboldt to receive. The current total of outstanding repayments is approximately $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 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.
Humboldt County adopted a county-wide local transactions and use tax (sales tax) through an affirmative vote on a local measure known as Measure O. Public Works will use Measure O funds for the grant match portion of the project.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impact:
The recommended actions will not impact current staffing levels.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Federal Emergency Management Agency; California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to award the project agreement for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project. However, this alternative is not recommended because 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. Bid Results for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project
2. Construction Agreement for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 11/4/25
File No.: 25-1246