Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board:
1) Approve and Authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 008-20234 accepting grant funds in the amount of $357,586 for the Rubicon Trail projects from the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Vehicle Grant Funds, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 (G23) grant cycle;
2) Approve and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer overseeing Parks to sign the following agreements:
a) G23-03-06-S01 for Education and Safety in the amount of $78,677 plus County match requirement of $31,792 for a total of $110,469 for a one-year period; and
b) G23-03-06-P01 for Rubicon Planning in the amount of $278,909 plus County match requirement of $92,970 for a total of $371,879, for a three-year period; and
3) Authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer overseeing Parks to approve and execute any amendments that do not change the dollar amount of said Agreements, contingent on approval from County Counsel.
FUNDING: State Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division Grant Funding (74%), Sacramento Municipal Utility District Funds and/or Off Highway Vehicle Fees 26%.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division provides financial assistance to public entities and other qualified entities to help with the management of off-highway recreation. The Program supports planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, administration, operation, enforcement, restoration, and conservation of trails, trail heads, and other facilities associated with the use of off-highway motor vehicles.
With this funding the County can meet the obligation of the easement and the Saturated Soils Water Quality Protection Plan approved by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
These grants will provide the following:
Safety and Education:
This grant will provide funding for related education and safety activities to promote the El Dorado County's "4S - Sanitation, Spills, Sedimentation, and Safety” educational program on the Rubicon Trail. Project activities include but are not limited to producing a bandanna and providing outreach and education at county fairs and other events.
Planning:
This grant provides funding for the 30% design plans and environmental consultant for an expanded parking lot at the Tahoma Staging area on the Tahoe side of the Rubicon Trail. This Project will implement a public planning process to obtain input from the users and homeowners in the area.
Matching Funds
Matching funds required to obtain grant funding come the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Cooperation Agreement Funds (SMUD funds), which are available to fund projects or services related to the Upper American River Project, including in the Rubicon River Basin, and State Off-Highway Vehicle License Fees, which are collected by the California Department of Motor Vehicles, are allocated to cities and counties to provide, and operate trails and other facilities for the use of off-highway motor vehicles.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to decline the grant funding; however, the Rubicon program relies heavily on this funding for maintenance and the promotion of safety and proper use of the trail. The County is under the conditions of the easement and the Saturated Soils Water Quality Protection Plan approved by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Department of Transportation, Environmental Management. The Sheriff's Office has an active role on the Rubicon Trail and receives separate funding.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funding for Rubicon Trail Education and Safety Grant in the amount of $78,677 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, with matching funds in the amount of $31,792 from El Dorado-Sacramento Municipal Utility District Cooperation Agreement Fund (SMUD Funds) or Off Highway Vehicle Fees (Green Sticker Funds) for a project total of $110,469. These grant funds provide an educational program on the Rubicon Trail.
Funding for Rubicon Planning Grant in the amount of $278,909 from the California Department of Parks and Recreation, with matching funds in the amount of $92,970 from El Dorado-Sacramento Municipal Utility District Cooperation Agreement Fund (SMUD Funds) or Off Highway Vehicle Fees (Green Sticker Funds) for a project total of $371,879. These grant funds provide the 30% design plans and environmental consultant for an expanded parking lot at the Tahoma Staging Area on the Tahoe side of the Rubicon Trail.
Projects are included in the FY 2023-24 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Jennifer Franich, Deputy Chief Administration Officer