To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Storm Damage Repair on Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached plans and specifications for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project; and
2. Find that the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 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 Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project as required by Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 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. 13 to 15 and Feb. 24 to March. 1, 2019, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) declared a disaster for Humboldt County due to an atmospheric river event that resulted in widespread flooding and mudslides. During this event, Palmer Boulevard (3H065) at Post Mile 0.33, located in the Palmer Creek community north of Fortuna, experienced roadway settlement and embankment failure in the traveled lane. This roadway provides essential public access to private residences.
On May 6, 2020, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) received notification of project approval from FEMA. Mark Thomas and Company prepared the attached plans and specifications based on a topographic survey of the damaged area conducted by the County Surveyor.
On Aug. 27, 2025, Public Works received notification of construction approval from FEMA. The proposed work, as detailed in the attached plans and specifications, includes the installation of a soldier pile wall, guardrails, and crash cushions; placement of an underdrain; reconstruction of the roadway; and implementation of erosion control measures.
The Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 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 Feb. 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 Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project; find the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 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 Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project as required by Section 22037 of the California Public Contract Code, with bids to be opened on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County Road Fund (1200-321); Federal Emergency Management Agency, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1200-321) |
FY25-26 Projected* |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$300,000.00 |
$355,709.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$300,000.00 |
$355,709.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1200-321) |
FY25-26 Projected* |
FY26-27 Projected* |
|
Road Fund |
$18,750.00 |
$22,231.81 |
|
State/Federal Funds |
$281,250.00 |
$333,477.19 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$300,000.00 |
$355,709.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
There is no financial commitment until the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project is awarded. This project is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Fund (75%), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services funding (18.75%) and the Humboldt County Road Fund (6.25%). The engineer’s cost estimate for the project is Six Hundred Fifty-Five Thousand Seven Hundred and Nine Dollars ($655,709). The Humboldt County Road Fund will be responsible for Forty Thousand Nine Hundred Eighty-One Dollars and Eighty-One Cents ($40,981.81) of the costs associated with the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project. Expenditure appropriations related to completion of the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 Storm Damage Repair Project are included in the approved fiscal year 2025-26 budget for Roads Engineering, 1200-321.
Projects are paid in arrears with anticipated funding coming from the FEMA as mentioned above. The fiscal year 2023-2024 Annual Road Report, completed by the State of California, reflected an estimated negative fund balance of $7,814,805 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 $15,800,000.
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 $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:
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 approve the attached plans and specifications for the Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33 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 Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33
2. Special Provisions for Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33
3. Notice to Bidders for Palmer Boulevard (3H065) Post Mile 0.33
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: None
File No.: None