To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Award Authorization for Storm Damage Repair to Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Receive and file the bid proposals submitted for the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project; and
2. Award the project agreement to Mercer-Fraser Company for the total amount of $1,166,198.50; 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 Public Works Director to execute contract change orders up to the amount of $70,810; 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 the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Plan:
Area of Focus: Core Services/Other
Strategic Plan Category: 9999 - Core Services/Other
DISCUSSION:
On February 25, 2025, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (“Board”) authorized the Clerk of the Board to advertise the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project for bids. On April 1, 2025, the County of Humboldt received six (6) 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 Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project; award the project agreement to Mercer-Fraser Company for the total amount of $1,166,198.50; 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 $70,810.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Humboldt County Road Fund (1200-321); Federal Highway Administration; California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (1200-321) |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$1,457,800.00 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$1,457,800.00 |
|
Funding Sources (1200-321) |
FY25-26 Projected* |
|
Federal Funds (FHWA) |
$1,290,590.34 |
|
State Funds (Cal OES) |
$125,370.80 |
|
Road Fund (1200-321) |
$41,838.86 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$1,457,800.00 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
Total project costs are estimated to be $1,457,800. Project costs include contingencies at 10% of the initial construction contract cost, $116,601.50; construction administration at 15% of the initial construction contract cost, $175,000 and contract costs of $1,166,198.50.
The Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project is funded by Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief funds (88.53%), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (8.60%), and the Humboldt County Road Fund (2.87%). Expenditure appropriations relating to completion of the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project are included in the proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 budget for budget unit 1200-321.
Projects are paid in arrears with anticipated funding coming from the Federal Highway Administration as mentioned above. 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 ($7,800,000.00) 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 Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($9,800,000.00).
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 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 may choose not to award the project agreement for the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 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 Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project
2. Construction Agreement for the Kneeland Road (F6F060) Post Mile 37.09 Storm Damage Repair Project
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Meeting of: 2/25/25
File No.: 25-242