Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board consider the following pertaining to the Ponderosa Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project, Capital Improvement Program project number 36109009, Contract 9275:
1) Authorize the addition of $1,087,656 in Tribe Funds to construct the project;
2) Approve and adopt the Plans and Contract Documents and authorize the Chair to sign the Plans; and
3) Authorize advertisement for construction bids. (District 4)
FUNDING: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program (11%), Regional Surface Transportation Program Federal Funds - Caltrans Local Assistance (17%), Road Fund (13%), Tribe Funds (36%), and To Be Determined (23% - see “Financial Impact"). (Local, State, and Federal Funds)
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Ponderosa Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project (Project) will add Class II Bike facility and pedestrian sidewalk improvements on Ponderosa Road from Foxwood Lane to Mineshaft Lane.
This project is federally funded, therefore both California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance is required. A CEQA Notice of Determination was recorded on August 21, 2019. A NEPA Categorical Exemption/Categorical Exclusion was approved on October 29, 2019.
All required right of way and environmental permits have been obtained for this Project.
The Contract Documents include all required federal provisions and incorporate the current Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements. The DBE goal is 18%.
The Department of Transportation (Transportation) is requesting $1,087,656 in Tribe Funds to complete the improvements. The Project is designed to create a safer and more accessible environment for pedestrians and bicyclists along a heavily utilized stretch of Ponderosa Road, specifically from Ponderosa High School to Foxwood Lane in Shingle Springs. The Project addresses the current lack of safe infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, who currently navigate narrow dirt shoulders or even traffic lanes, especially during busy school events.
The funding section includes 23% listed as “To Be Determined” since the Department is awaiting the authorization of construction funding (E-76). The project will not be advertised until this grant funding is fully secured.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose not to approve the Contract Documents. Transportation will make any changes requested by the Board and return at a later date.
2) The Board could choose not to authorize advertisement for construction bids. Transportation will make any changes requested by the Board and return at a later date.
3) The Board could choose to cancel the Project.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and approved the Plans and Contract Documents.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended, with the condition that the project shall not be advertised until the full authorization for construction funding (E-76) is secured.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total estimated cost for Project construction is $2,630,000 which includes construction items of work, supplemental items of work, construction management, environmental monitoring, inspection, materials testing, and contingencies.
The “Funding” section of the staff report indicates that 23% of the overall Project funding is “To Be Determined.” This is because the Project is currently awaiting the results of several construction grants. There is no financial impact or change to net County cost associated with this item. The Board will not obligate the County with the current requested action. The obligation will result from the subsequent action of awarding the bid.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk will obtain the Chair's signature on the construction Plans for the Project.
2) The Clerk will forward the original signed Plan set to Transportation, Headington Engineering, attention Jen Rimoldi.
TRANSPORTATION FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Transportation will advertise the Project for bid proposals and return to the Board with recommendations for award at a later date.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Priority: N/A
Action Item: N/A
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation