Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board take the following actions pertaining to the Meyers Stream Environment Zone/ Erosion Control Project, Capital Improvement Program project number 95179/36107007:
1) Approve and authorize the Director of Transportation to sign a Modification to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Domestic Grant 20-PA-11051900-013, which will increase the current grant funding by the amount of $600,000; from $499,990 to $1,099,990 and extend the term of the agreement for one additional year to May 1, 2024; and
2) Authorize an increase in the estimated total project cost from $3,748,770 to $4,348,770.
FUNDING: USDA Forest Service (54% - Federal), State Water Resource Control Board (13% - State), California Tahoe Conservancy (25% State), Tahoe Regional Planning Agency - Stream Environment Zone Mitigation (8% - Local).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On June 9, 2020 (Legistar 20-0614, Item 35), the Board accepted $499,990 in grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) under Domestic Grant 20-PA-11051900-013 (Grant Agreement) for the Meyers Stream Environment Zone/ Erosion Control Project, Capital Improvement Program project number 95179/36107007.
The USDA Forest Service recently requested implementation proposals for additional funding under this Grant Agreement, and the Department of Transportation (Transportation) staff submitted proposals. Due to the anticipated funding shortfall and because of the trend in high construction bids, Transportation was awarded additional funding for the Meyers Stream Environment Zone/ Erosion Control Project (Project). Transportation requests that the Board approve this funding and authorize the Director of Transportation to sign a Grant Modification Form to accept the funding. This grant funding requires the County provide a 1:1 programmatic match, and Transportation staff will use State Water Resource Control Board funds to match the grant funds.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose not authorize the additional funding for the Project. Or,
2) Cancel the Project.
If the Board chooses not to authorize the additional funding or cancel the Project, the County could be required to reimburse all state and federal funding received to date.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion / Background Section above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and USDA Forest Service.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed Grant Modification would have no impact to Net County Cost. Modifying the USDA Forest Service Grant to increase the total Grant amount will result in additional funding being made available for the Project in Fiscal Year 2023-24.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation