Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Director of Transportation to sign a Modification to the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Domestic Grant 18-DG-11051900-022, which will increase the current grant funding from $345,000 to $375,000 for use on the Country Club Heights Erosion Control Project, Capital Improvement Program, 36107009.
FUNDING: United States Forest Service Grant Funds. (100% - Federal)
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Country Club Heights Erosion Control Project site is located in an existing residential development within the unincorporated area of South Lake Tahoe, between U.S. Highway 50/State Route 89 and Pioneer Trail. The Project will improve water quality by stabilizing bare soils with native vegetation, restoring and expanding stream environment zones, enhancing drainage features, and installing drainage infiltration systems to reduce stormwater runoff. The proposed improvements will reduce the discharge of sediment and pollutants to Lake Tahoe from County administered rights-of-way in the Project area.
On August 14, 2018 (Legistar# 18-0974, Item 22, the Board accepted Grant funds from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) under Domestic Grant 18-DG-11051900-022 (Grant Agreement). Per the item, any modification to the Grant Agreement that increases the overall funding amount requires approval from the County Board of Supervisors.
The USDA Forest Service recently requested implementation proposals for additional funding under this Grant Agreement, and Department of Transportation (Transportation) staff submitted proposals. Transportation applied and was awarded additional funding for the Country Club Heights Erosion Control Project (Project). Transportation requests that the Board approve this funding and authorize the Director of Transportation to sign a Grant Modification Form to accept the funding. This grant funding requires the County provide a 1:1 match. Transportation staff will use California Tahoe Conservancy funds to match the Grant funds. There are no new conditions on use of the additional funding beyond the conditions contained in the original Grant Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose to not approve receipt of the additional funding. This action would require Transportation to utilize other funding for the Project.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion / Background Section above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and USDA Forest Service.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed Grant Modification would have no impact to Net County Cost. The Capital Improvement Program identified $30,000 in revenue needed for this project as To Be Determined. Modifying the USFS Grant to increase the total Grant amount will result in additional funding being made available for the Project and allow Transportation to utilize more flexible funds on other projects in the Tahoe Basin. The Grant Agreement funds require a 1:1 programmatic match. Transportation plans to use existing California Tahoe Conservancy funds already received and programmed for the County match.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation