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Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 021-2018 authorizing the Department of Transportation Director, or designee, the delegated authority to approve temporary road closures for utility and Capital Improvement Program projects.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Services (CDS), Department of Transportation (Transportation), recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign the Resolution (Resolution) authorizing the Department of Transportation Director (Director), or designee, the delegated authority to approve temporary road closures for utility and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects allowing them to be processed more quickly and efficiently.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Transportation manages and oversees utility work and CIP projects and one element of the construction activity of a project may include the need for road closures. During the time the Community Development Agency (CDA) was formed, Transportation became a division within CDA and the Director was named Transportation Division Director. The Board approved Resolution 139-2016 on September 13, 2016 (Item 34) to allow ease of road closures for the Transportation Division and gave authority to the CDA Director to approve the closures. El Dorado County Ordinance Code section 12.04.020 and 12.04.030 were updated to name CDA Director as authority in administration of County highways and as the Road Commissioner.
When the Agency was changed to CDS in 2017 and the Transportation Division was named Department of Transportation, Ordinance No. 5051 was adopted by the Board on April 18, 2017 (Item 6) to change references in the Ordinance Code from Transportation Division Director to Director of Transportation. Unfortunately, this did not correct language used in Resolution 139-2016. This new revised Resolution changes the authority for road closures back to the Director.
When a road closure is necessary for a project, the project engineer prepares the request to obtain the Director’s approval for the road closure. Transportation has traditionally included these temporary road closure notices with the contract documents to County Counsel and will continue as part of the approval process.
During the construction phase, Transportation notifies affected agencies, businesses, as well as the public, using extensive outreach efforts to prepare for a road closure in their area. Advance notice is given by posting signage or use of changeable message signs, or a combination of both in the area of the closure. Website notices and press releases are utilized when necessary as well.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to adopt the Resolution; thereby, requiring Transportation to return to the Board to obtain road closure authorizations each time it is necessary.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the original Resolution.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) copy of the executed Resolution to CDS Transportation, Fairlane Engineering, attention Matt Smeltzer.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation