To: Board of Supervisors
From: Public Works
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3)
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Approve the attached plans and specifications for the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3); and
2. 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, June 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Body
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Road Fund (1200-321)
DISCUSSION:
On Sept. 7, 2016, the United States Department of Justice filed a consent decree requiring the County of Humboldt to comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and requiring that all County of Humboldt facilities meet current accessibility standards. In response to the consent decree, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works (“Public Works”) employed the services of Mark Thomas and Company through its on-call agreement for design engineering services to prepare plans, specifications and estimate for the construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps.
Due to the large number of non-compliant curb ramps throughout Humboldt County, the project was divided into phases. The first phase of the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project addressed a portion of the non-compliant curb ramps located in the unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Eureka, which include Cutten, Myrtletown, Rosewood and Pine Hill. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors accepted the completed Phase 1 project on Jan. 5, 2021.
The second phase of the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project addressed curb ramps that Public Works and the public identified and prioritized through public meetings and correspondence. Phase 2 focused on the signalized intersections located on Central Avenue in McKinleyville and in the unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Eureka. Nearby intersections were also included with the goal of providing accessible routes to schools and services. All curb ramps included in this contract have been constructed, and final certifications from the County of Humboldt’s third-party inspector are pending.
The third phase of the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project will address curb ramps in McKinleyville and the unincorporated area west of the City of Arcata. Phase 4 of the project will focus on curb ramps in the southern portion of the county. Future phases will include locations that require site-specific designs and the purchase of additional right of way.
Public Works recommends that the Board of Supervisors approve the attached plans and specifications and advertise the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3).
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
|
Expenditures (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY23-24 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses (1200321-2118) |
$1,497,287 |
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$0 |
|
Total Expenditures |
$1,497,287 |
|
Funding Sources (Fund, Budget Unit) |
FY23-24 Projected* |
|
Road Fund (1200321-2118) |
$1,497,287 |
|
Total Funding Sources |
$1,497,287 |
*Projected amounts are estimates and are subject to change.
There is no financial commitment until the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3) is awarded. This project is being funded by the Humboldt County Road Fund. The engineer’s cost estimate for the project is One Million Four Hundred Ninety-Seven Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Seven Dollars ($1,497,287.00). Expenditure appropriations related to completion of the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3) have been included in the recommended fiscal year 2023-2024 Road Fund budget (1200321-2118).
The fiscal year 2021-2022 Annual Road Report, completed by the State of California, reflected an estimated negative fund balance of Eight Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars ($8,800,000.00) in the County of Humboldt’s 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 Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00).
This negative balance is partially due to the timing of Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements to the County of Humboldt, which can take years for the County of Humboldt to receive repayment. The current total of outstanding repayments is approximately Eleven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($11,500,000.00). 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.
STAFFING IMPACT:
Approval and advertisement of the attached plans and specifications for the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3) will not impact current staffing levels.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK:
The recommended actions support the Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Framework by providing for and maintaining infrastructure.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
United States Department of Justice
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Board of Supervisors may choose not to approve the attached plans and specifications for the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3). However, this alternative is not recommended because the project will make significant progress toward fulfilling the County of Humboldt’s commitment to the United States Department of Justice to provide accessible curb ramps throughout Humboldt County.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Plans for the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3), Contract Number 325701
2. Special Provisions for the Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Improvements Project (Phase 3), Contract Number 325701
PREVIOUS ACTION/REFERRAL:
Board Order No.: I-1; C-23; C-9; C-20; D-16; D-25
Meeting of: 11/13/18; 2/5/19; 4/9/19; 1/5/21; 4/26/22; 6/14/22
File No.: 18-1488; 19-109; 19-429; 20-1558; 22-439; 22-711