Title
Chief Administrative Office, Parks Division, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 085-2023 authorizing the submittal of an application to the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation’s Recreational Trails Program Grant for the El Dorado Trail - Halcon to Pondorado project, Department of Transportation, Capital Improvement Program 36109007.
FUNDING: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality for initial construction expenditures, Recreational Trails Program grant funds (if awarded) for construction with a 12% General Fund Match. General Fund for ongoing maintenance and repair/replacement expenditures.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) administers a Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant program. The RTP is a state-administered local assistance program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The intent of the RTP is to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. Grant funding in the amount of $6.7 million is available annually and is open now for applications.
The OGALS grant application procedures require an applicant’s governing body to declare by resolution that the applicant is authorized to apply for grant funds and authorizes the Deputy Chief Administrator to execute all grant documents including, but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and requests for payment, necessary to secure grant funds and implement the approved grant project(s). The Chief Administrative Office will obtain Board approval prior to acceptance of the grant agreement. Should the grant application be successful, and the project is constructed, the Parks Division will work with the Chief Administrative Office’s Facilities Division regarding the extended operation and maintenance of this project.
This grant has a 12% match requirement. If the grant is approved matching funding in the amount of $163,764 will be required. Staff are recommending that the Board approve the use of Transient Occupancy Tax funding for the $163,764 of County matching funding required. The El Dorado Trail promotes tourism in El Dorado County and the trail is impacted by tourism. The Board approved a FY 2023-24 spending plan for Transient Occupancy Tax funding on April 18, 2023, based upon conservative projections of Transient Occupancy Tax receipts in FY 2022-23. If there are higher-than-anticipated receipts when the FY 2022-23 financial records close, the Board will need to allocate those funds during the Adopted Budget revisions in September. Staff recommend that the Board prioritize this project for the use of those funds. If unanticipated funds do not cover the entire County Match requirement the Board could allocate General Fund or use a portion of the Transient Occupancy Tax Special Projects Designation. The department will return to the Board for grant approval, if awarded including Board approval of a funding source for the match requirements.
ALTERNATIVES
Should the Board not approve this item, the Parks Division will not submit an application for this grant opportunity.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
02/22/2022 Legistar item 22-0208 - Transportation’s request to apply for RTP funds for this project that was not approved by the grantor.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Department of Transportation
Chief Administrative Office/Facilities Division
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no direct financial impact to this item, as Parks will return to the Board with the grant agreement if the application is approved. If approved by the grantor, matching contributions in the amount of 12% are required for the RTP grant funds. The initial costs for the El Dorado Trail - Halcon to Pondorado project are currently funded with Congested Mitigation and Air Quality Program (CMAQ).
• Estimated Total Costs for construction: $1,364,700
• Grant Requested Funds: $1,200,936
• RTP Matching Funds: $163,764
• Estimated Annual Maintenance Costs: $4,000
The County will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the Project and a 20-year commitment is required. Transportation and the Facilities Division estimate the annual maintenance costs at approximately $4,000. If major repair or maintenance are required, such as asphalt replacement, etc., this amount could increase significantly. It is anticipated these additional maintenance costs would be added into the Facilities budget, funded by the General Fund. If the grant is awarded, staff will return to the Board for approval and with estimates on operating impacts, including a staffing analysis.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the original Resolution.
2) Clerk of the Board will forward a copy of the Resolution to the Chief Administrative Office Parks Division.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Vickie Sanders 621-7538