Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Maintenance Agreement 03-ED 050, PM 76.731 with the State of California Department of Transportation to define maintenance responsibilities of each agency for the project area after construction is complete, related to the South Tahoe Greenway - Upper Truckee River Bridge at Johnson Meadow Project, CIP 36107023:
(District 5)
FUNDING: South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority Measure R/S (2006) Funds (100%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On November 5, 2024 (Legistar 24-1443, Item 20), the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors adopted the California Environmental Quality Act Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration, granting approval for the South Tahoe Greenway - Upper Truckee River Bridge at Johnson Meadow Project (Project). The document outlined the proposed improvements, potential impacts, and the corresponding mitigation measures for the Project.
The proposed Maintenance Agreement (MA) between the County of El Dorado and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) establishes the respective maintenance responsibilities for the Class I shared use path and associated improvements located within Caltrans right-of-way near Barbara Avenue at Lodi Avenue and at the Sierra Boulevard intersections.
The proposed MA identifies the County as responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the Class I shared use path and all appurtenant facilities constructed as part of the Project, including but not limited to signing, striping, pavement markings, shared use path snow removal, and routine inspections necessary to ensure the facility remains safe and functional for public use. Upon completion, the Project will become part of the County’s shared use path network in South Lake Tahoe. The MA establishes the County’s responsibilities for the segment located within Caltrans right-of-way, while maintenance responsibilities for other portions of the Project are addressed through permanent easements and do not require a separate maintenance agreement. The County Department of Transportation Maintenance and Operations Division generally coordinates with local partners, including the Clean Tahoe Program, California Conservation Corps, the City of South Tahoe, and local law enforcement regarding routine litter removal, illegal dumping, homeless encampments, and other issues that arise along the shared use path network.
Caltrans policy requires the execution of this MA before the County can obtain an encroachment permit, which will allow the County to advertise for construction bids for the Project. The specific terms and maintenance obligations contained in the agreement have been coordinated with Caltrans District 3 agreements coordinator.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose not to approve the Maintenance Agreement. This would prohibit Transportation from obtaining a Caltrans encroachment permit and advertising the Project for construction bids. Transportation would attempt to work with Caltrans to revise the agreement as directed by the Board and return at a later date.
2) The Board could choose to cancel the Project. This would require Transportation to return $700,967 already spent on the Project to various funding sources.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Caltrans and County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding associated with this proposed Maintenance Agreement will be provided by the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Facilities Joint Powers Authority (JPA), which administers revenues from voter-approved Measures S (2006), The JPA distributes annual maintenance funding for Class I shared use paths within the Lake Tahoe Unified School District boundary in Tahoe Basin. Under the current formula, the County receives $5,000 per mile annually. Voters approved Measure G in June 2026, which increases available maintenance funding to $10,000 per mile annually as additional revenues become available through implementation of the measure starting in 2030. This Project is included in the 2026 CIP adopted by the Board on June 16, 2026 (Legistar #26-0116, Item 39). Execution of the Maintenance Agreement will not result in an increase to Net County Cost.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain Chair signature on four (4) originals of each Agreement.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward the signed four (4) originals of each Agreement to Matt Gourley at the Headington Transportation office for transmittal to Caltrans for final signature.
3) Upon receipt of the fully executed original Agreements from Caltrans, Transportation will forward one (1) original of each Agreement to the Clerk of the Board for filing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation