Title
Transportation Department requesting the Board reaffirm earlier direction on the Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program (Tahoe EIP), noting the Department will provide a presentation regarding the Board's concerns for the future maintenance costs of the Tahoe EIP.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost:
There is no fiscal impact nor change to net County costs associated with this item.
Background:
On March 2, 2009, the Board held a workshop in which the proposed 2009 Tahoe 5 year EIP, along with the rest of the Department's proposed Capital Improvement Programs (CIPs), was discussed. At this workshop, during the 2009 Tahoe 5 year EIP discussions, the Board requested the Department return to the Board at a future date to discuss the maintenance obligations with respect to the Tahoe EIP Grant Funded Program. The Board approved the 2009 Tahoe 5 year EIP at the May 5, 2009 Board meeting.
Reason for Recommendation:
The Department is currently coordinating with various agencies on EIP Projects in order to meet the various thresholds within the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Regional Plan which assists the County in obtaining additional building allocations. The Board approved 2009 Tahoe 5 year EIP was submitted to TRPA in June 2009 for adoption into the Regional Plan update which provides future funding opportunities for the Department.
The Department currently assesses operation and maintenance costs associated with each Project and each Best Management Practice during the Project Delivery Process. During the Project Alternatives Evaluation process, the Department analyzes various Project criteria (i.e. maintenance costs, capital costs, load reduction efficiencies, permit compliance etc.) and through the Project Development Team or Technical Advisory Committee review selects a Preferred Alternative Project which optimizes the solution for all the criteria.
In order to address Tahoe EIP related maintenance obligations, the Department will continue to seek grant funds from several state and federal sources specifically for this purpose.
The attached presentation goes into more detail of future maintenance obligations with respect to the Tahoe EIP.
Department recommends the Board reaffirm earlier Board direction to the Department:
1) Department will continue to coordinate with our partner agencies to meet the regulatory requirements in the Tahoe Basin through the delivery of Tahoe EIP projects;
2) Department will continue to analyze EIP projects for their impacts to future maintenance costs; and,
3) Department will continue to seek additional funding through continued participation in the EIP and other associated grant programs.
Contact:
James W. Ware, P.E.
Director of Transportation
Concurrences: None