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Community Development Services, Department of Transportation, recommending the Board consider the following regarding the Apple Hill Traffic Implementation Pilot Project:
1) Direct Transportation staff to utilize the currently allocated $50,000, which is funding from Economic Development, to provide traffic control services on Highway 50 Eastbound left turn lanes only, as done in the past; or
2) Authorize the Director of Transportation to pursue potential grant/funding sources in the amount of $180,000 to cover the extra costs associated with traffic control services in the Apple Hill area;
3) If in the event the Department of Transportation is unsuccessful in obtaining these potential grant/funding sources, allocate $180,000 in Economic Development funds, which would bring the total cost to $230,000;
4) Authorize direct contracting with Almendariz Consulting, Inc. in accordance with El Dorado County Ordinance Code 3.12.230(A); and
5) Approve and authorize the Director of Transportation to negotiate and sign a Contract with Almendariz Consulting, Inc. to provide traffic control services, upon review and approval by County Counsel. (Est. Time: 30 Min.)
FUNDING: Economic Development - Transient Occupancy Tax, SACOG Grant, and/or other potential grant/funding sources.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Board of Supervisors requested the Community Development Services, Department of Transportation (Transportation) research and provide ideas for alleviating traffic during the peak Apple Hill season on four weekends in October. On June 12, 2018, Item 44, Transportation provided a presentation regarding Apple Hill traffic implementation strategies. Since then, Transportation staff has been working towards finalizing a plan and has met with California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Sierra Pacific Industries, El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC), and El Dorado County Transit Authority (Transit) and the Apple Hill Growers Association.
Caltrans recently informed Transportation that it does not have the funds or capacity to provide any traffic control services during the Apple Hill season. With the allocated funds of $50,000 from Economic Development - Transient Occupancy Tax, Transportation is limited to only being able to provide traffic control services on Highway 50 Eastbound left turn lanes, as done in the past.
Pilot Program:
The Pilot Program is recommending the closure of Westbound Carson Road from Robindale Drive to Union Ridge Road except for buses and emergency vehicles each weekend day in October 2018. Traffic will still be able to access farms Eastbound Carson Road.
Transit is leasing a portion of property from Sierra Pacific Industries to provide up to 400 parking spaces and will provide 4 shuttle buses to move the public from the parking area through the Apple Hill area to different farms. Transit applied for a $75,000 motor vehicle emission reduction grant (AB 2766) issued by Air Quality Management District who is recommending the award at the August 21, 2018 Board meeting (at the time this agenda item was written the award had not been announced).
CHP will provide traffic control services at the road closures at Highway 50. All left turn Eastbound Highway 50 exits from 5 Mile Road to Upper Carson Road will be closed to vehicular traffic. Only buses and emergency vehicles will be permitted to ingress Westbound on Carson Road between Upper Carson and Union Ridge Road.
Transportation applied for a $30,000 grant through SACOG and is waiting to hear if it will be awarded. Transportation is also pursuing other potential grant/funding sources to cover the costs associated with traffic control services.
Transportation is recommending contracting with Almendariz Consulting, Inc. to provide traffic control planning, traffic control services, flagging and equipment for the four weekends in October for peak Apple Hill Season.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to:
A) Approve the use of the previously allocated $50,000 for the Highway 50 left turn lane closures only.
B) Approve the additional $180,000 for the full implementation of the pilot program if other funding is unavailable.
C) Not approve any of the proposed options.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
CHP, Caltrans, EDCTC, Transit, Sierra Pacific Industries, Apple Hill Growers Association
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
As indicated by the Department, the original cost estimate provided to the Board totaled approximately $50,000. After further analysis, the recommendation has now increased to $230,000. While there is an economic benefit of visitors to Apple Hill, as well as a public safety concern due to the high volume of traffic, this amount will impact other potential economic development opportunities. In addition, the increased costs bring into question the long term sustainability of this program.
Economic Development currently has approximately $800,000 in fund balance from Fiscal Year 2016/17 to help fund Broadband Grants or project match or to cover business development/retention incentives. At this time it is anticipated year end fund balance from Fiscal Year 2017/18 will be a comparable amount due to lower than anticipated expenditures and higher than anticipated Transient Occupancy Tax revenues.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is a one time financial impact of $50,000 and a potential one time impact of $180,000 to the Fiscal Year 18/19 budget if the Board approves this agenda item. Various potential funding sources include but are not limited to: Economic Development - Transient Occupancy Tax, SACOG Grant, and/or other grant/funding sources.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure, Public Safety
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Community Development Services, Department of Transportation