Title
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board authorize the Department of Transportation to place an additional $30,000 from the Road Fund into an existing escrow account that is jointly used to pay for Right of Way acquisition needs for those emergency repair projects resulting from the 2017 roadway infrastructure storm damage.
FUNDING: Road Fund and Local Funding.
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the Community Development Services (CDS), Department of Transportation (Transportation), to place an additional $30,000 from the Road Fund into an existing escrow account that is jointly used to pay for Right of Way (ROW) acquisition needs for those emergency repair projects resulting from the 2017 roadway infrastructure storm damage.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Beginning on January 3, 2017, the region experienced 4 major storm systems that caused more than $21 million in damages to County roadway infrastructure
On March 21, 2017 (Item 33), Transportation advised the Board that there were 26 emergency repair projects identified at that time. Included in the Board’s action that day was authorization for Transportation to place $75,000 from the Road Fund into an escrow account to be used jointly to pay for ROW acquisition needs for these emergency projects. This created efficiency in that Transportation hasn’t had to return to the Board (or to the Director of Transportation for ROW acquisitions of $25,000 or less), with each project parcel to create a separate escrow account. Each separate escrow account would need to be funded with its own check, requiring further involvement of the CDS Administration and Finance Division as well as the Auditor’s office.
Transportation has been, and will continue to acquire easements to facilitate emergency repairs to the County’s roadway infrastructure. Acquisition of ROW can be in process while the County is constructing the repairs, but the State and Federal agencies involved with the projects require that sufficient money be in escrow to fund these acquisitions. Because the full scope of some of the repairs and the full extent of the work has yet to be determined for the remaining emergency repair projects, and, therefore, the associated ROW needs, staff is requesting that the escrow account established after the March 21 Board meeting receive additional funding. This additional funding will allow Transportation to continue to provide the necessary ROW certifications to the requesting agencies, and proceed with construction.
As of October 24, 2017, 16 escrows for 7 emergency projects have been funded from the $75,000 escrow account. These escrows have totaled $50,955, leaving a balance of $24,045. In the near future, Transportation expects 7 additional escrows for 4 emergency projects to be funded from this existing escrow account, totaling approximately $19,200, which would leave the balance in the escrow account at approximately $4,845. There are 4 additional emergency repair projects requiring ROW slated for construction in the spring of 2018. The full scope of repairs and extent of work for these projects are still waiting to be determined, but ROW acquisition costs for these projects are estimated at $27,200. Approximately $22,355 of additional funding would need to be added to the existing escrow account to cover these estimated ROW costs. Any funds not used for emergency repair project acquisitions will be returned to the County by the title company.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to add funding to the joint existing escrow account for emergency projects, and require Transportation to return to the Director of Transportation, or to the Board, for each ROW acquisition, and further involve the CDS Administration and Finance Division and the Auditor’s office.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Initially funded by the Road Fund and local funding. The County has been coordinating with State and Federal officials regarding anticipated disaster relief funding (California Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency), for a total of 93.75% in funding. Road Fund and local funding provides for the remaining 6.25%.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure and Public Safety.
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation